Although this book is the second in the series, it’s been written to be read as a New Adult Stand Alone novel. You do not have to read book one, which is a young adult novel, to enjoy.
No one said love is ever easy. And for Jess, he would ride his Harley to heaven and back for an eternity with her arms wrapped around him. That makes leaving her that late summer day to head to separate colleges the hardest thing he has to do. Still, he thinks that they could beat the odds and prove everyone wrong, until one drunken night and one sober confession.
Through the jagged edges of a broken lens, he’s faced with the reality of his choices. And fixing the pieces of Jess’s broken heart may be impossible. Without her, he’s left with only a mother who hates him and marks him as a dead man walking. And that’s not the only truth that has the potential to destroy his life.
The upcoming trial will reveal the defendant’s motivations for the crimes committed against the people he cares about. But that guy’s not the only one who’s guilty of something. With a cloud of mistrust hovering around him, can he keep Jess safe from his past? Can she or anyone forgive him for his secrets? Will he win back the one girl he’s ever loved or will he lose her forever?
*WARNING* This book is rated a New Adult book, which means it can contain foul language and sexual situations. Please be warned in advance.

Amazon – Barns And Noble

Batting her hands away, I said, “I’m fine. You can go.”
Every word took effort, and I couldn’t be sure if she understood me. Every syllable was strung together like Christmas lights.
“Why are you doing this?” she cried, coming close again.
I tried to half crab walk and half drag myself across the floor in the opposite direction. Her presence was a curse with her being so close, and I couldn’t touch her. It had to be overkill on her part. I knew I’d gone too far when my head hit the wall with a resounding thwack. I could barely understand the pain that floated over me.
I laughed determined to speak the words before the stars I counted over my head faded to black.
“Why am I doing this? The only thing I had worth living is gone. I finally understand why my parents left me. It’s obvious I’m not worth anyone’s love.”
“Ethan,” she said again. I couldn’t be sure because my sight was failing me, but it appeared as though she may have been silently crying.
I blame the liquor coursing in my veins because I did something I hadn’t done in too many years to count. The floodgate opened. The damn I’d walled up since the day of my father’s death broke.
“He left me, Jess. He couldn’t be bothered to stay alive for me. And then Mom left too. She never loved me.”
“That’s not true.”
She was close. Soft hand warm hands found either side of my face. When my eyes opened, I was forced to look in her tear stained eyes.
I couldn’t be sure if she heard me or if I’d tumbled into a bizarre nightmare. I spoke through lips I couldn’t feel and a tongue that was as dry as stale bread.
“It is. She couldn’t stand to look at me and be reminded of all she gave up only to be left with the scar of my birth across her belly.”
She tried to silence me with a finger, but I wasn’t done. With noodle arms, I tried to push her away.
“And you. You’ll never forgive me. And how can I blame you.”
A warm pair of arms circled me as her body pressed next to mine.
“Ethan, you are worth everything.”

Michel’s Review

If you are looking for a good angsty New Adult Romance, Broken Lens by Shannon Dermott is the ticket.

Broken Lens can be read as a stand alone novel or in sequel to Through The Lens ( a mature YA novel).  The characters from Through The Lens are now adults and embarking on their first year of college.  Broken Lens is told through Ethan’s POV.  Rather than getting Jess’ perspective the reader gets to know Ethan and his background.  Ethan will capture the readers heart.  His life is anything but perfect.  And Jess is not as a great as she was in the first book.  I spent more time being angry with her than I did sympathizing with her.  She was more concerned about herself than she was for Ethan.  She claimed to love him but the moment something happened she more or less turned her back on him.

Ethan was left heartbroken not only from the only surviving member of his family, his mother, but also Jess.  His life fell apart before he entered college.  He’s determined to turn it around, make good on the football scholarship he earned, and make a better life for him and Jess.  When he’s drugged at a party after his first winning game, his relationship with Jess is ended.  He was completely honest with her and is truly remorseful.

Time and Time again he tried to prove to Jess that he was an honorable guy.  She refused to forgive him.  His heart was completely broken.  To top it off he’s getting threatening letters, is dealing with testifying against his old high school teacher, trying to hide the rumors about his past girlfriend’s disappearance, and trying to maintain good grades at school.  His world begins to spin out of control.  His secrets are exposed and he’s dealing with the aftermath.

When he finally is forced to let go of Jess, their lives are put in danger.  At the same time he is learning about the secrets his parents hid from him.  The death of his grandfather will open the door and deliver revelations about his family that will finally give him a sense of peace.

There is an old enemy still out there gunning for him.  His old girlfriend is still missing.  His other old girlfriend is refusing to testify or have contact with him.  The love of his life has turned her back on him.  His life is truly broken.  Can he move forward.

I have to say, I hated Jess.  Ethan broke my heart.  He was a good guy that by circumstance was put in some very crappy situations.  How he remained sane and dedicated to Jess is beyond me.

Broken Lens by Shannon Dermott is a gut wrenching story.

Shannon’s first love is reading, diving into other realities to explore and brave new worlds. To share her writing is the best experience of all. She writes books about teen romance whether paranormal or contemporary. She also has a steamy adult series. When Shannon isn’t writing she loves to shop and watch horror movies that make turning out the lights seem like a stupid idea.
You can explore more about her at her website www.shannondermott.com, on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.