Mangled Hearts by: Felicia Tatum
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Francesca and Cade met and fell in love when they were in
high school but their relationship ended when Francesca’s sister dies in an
accident in which she believes Cade was not only involved in, but caused. When
lawyer Francesca is assigned to help Cade out of a legal dilemma, their
feelings for one another again surface yet Francesca tries to keep her heart at
a distance. When Cade asks her to spend an evening with him, Francesca finally
confronts him about her sister’s accident and learns that Cade wasn’t driving
the car her sister had the accident in, but actually called the ambulance and
stayed with her sister until they got there. With all the questions about her
sister’s death finally answered, the two are free to once again explore their
feelings for one another, but Cade has his own demons that have been haunting
him. After a passionate night with Francesca, Cade starts having withdrawal
symptoms from his alcohol addiction and, with the support of his brother and
therapist, is admitted to a rehab facility. Francesca and Cade pass the time
until they can be together writing each other and, in doing so, their love
grows deeper. When Cade is finally out of rehab, Francesca is opening her new
law practice and Cade surprises her before her grand opening party with a
marriage proposal she accepts. While this chapter of Cade and Francesca’s love
ends here, there will be a sequel that will continue their story. Mangled Hearts is a story about love, loss, and redemption.
While Cade’s alcohol addiction is a real obstacle to the couple, and to Cade
himself, Felicia Tatum treats the issue with the dignity and respect that it
deserves. In making Cade’s addiction such a prevalent part of the story, the
reader can really see the extent of damage alcoholism can pose to the
individual and their loved ones. This allows us to really rally behind Cade’s
attempt to redeem himself by going to rehab and trying to overcome it. While it
may seem that Francesca and Cade have a happy ending, the reader will be
interested in finding out if Cade can keep his demons at bay in the sequel to
retain not only his health but his relationship with Francesca. Mangled Hearts
is written in such a beautiful and believable way that the reader feels both
Cade and Francesca’s pain at the loss of her sister, her initial anger at Cade
after seeing him for the first time in years, and fear for the the danger Cade
poses to himself and others because of his addiction. This story is not for the
faint of heart, but it is truly a worthwhile read.
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