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Hearts #1.5
Torn Hearts
**This novella is now included at the beginning of Paper Hearts (Hearts #2).**
I met a boy once.
He made my heart go into a frenzy every time he looked at me, and my knees go weak whenever he touched me. Our love was so beautiful, that even its demise was bittersweet.
I met a girl once.
Her world, full of possibilities, made me feel like even I had a chance at being someone. She believed in me. She loved me. We were so secure, that even our breaking point seemed hazy.
Until we reached it.
I met a boy once.
He made my heart go into a frenzy every time he looked at me, and my knees go weak whenever he touched me. Our love was so beautiful, that even its demise was bittersweet.
I met a girl once.
Her world, full of possibilities, made me feel like even I had a chance at being someone. She believed in me. She loved me. We were so secure, that even our breaking point seemed hazy.
Until we reached it.
45 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2015
About the author
Claire Contreras
50 books17.4k followersClaire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated into over fifteen languages. When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book or hanging out with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews
August 15, 2017
★★★★! Torn Hearts (Prequel), book 1.5 of X. Puppy-love & broken hearts!
Torn Hearts (book 1.5, included in book 2) is the prequel to Paper Hearts (book 2) and was offered as an Amazon freebie while I was waiting on my ARC. In anticipation of our upcoming buddy-read on October 11th I decided to read to a get a taste for what is to come.
Torn Hearts takes us back seven and five years in time to 18-year old Mia Bennett and 22-year old Jensen Reynolds’ puppy-love romance and later when Jensen makes a surprise visit home from College that will break Mia’s heart and tear them apart.
I cannot wait to read their full story, book 2
as a (F) Buddy-read on October 11. Please join us!Date: October 11-17, 2015
(F) Buddy-read: https://goo.gl/ZsJJKK
Prequel #1.5 is incl. in book 2: http://goo.gl/vDP9f8
Books in Hearts series are stand-alones:
Book 1: Kaleidoscope Hearts
Book 1.5: Torn Hearts - Prequel included in book 2
Book 2: Paper Hearts
ARC provided to me by author Claire Contreras, in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2015
*****FOUR STARS*****
This was a brief introduction to Jensen and Mia's story. We met these two in "Kaleidoscope Hearts". All we know is that they used to be a couple but something happened that ended their relationship and resulted in some bitterness.
Honestly, this was really too short to form a solid opinion. Since I loved "Kaleidoscope Hearts" and I get the sense that Paper Hearts is going to be an angst fest, I felt it deserved a four star rating. I do not know how these two will overcome the betrayal but I am seriously looking forward to reading their full novel!!!
This series is definitely worth reading so far!
This was a brief introduction to Jensen and Mia's story. We met these two in "Kaleidoscope Hearts". All we know is that they used to be a couple but something happened that ended their relationship and resulted in some bitterness.
Honestly, this was really too short to form a solid opinion. Since I loved "Kaleidoscope Hearts" and I get the sense that Paper Hearts is going to be an angst fest, I felt it deserved a four star rating. I do not know how these two will overcome the betrayal but I am seriously looking forward to reading their full novel!!!
This series is definitely worth reading so far!
July 9, 2020
4.5 stars!
This book… THIS BOOK!!! For this short read, it had so much heart and packed a big punch. I cried… my heart completely and utterly sank around the half way point. I remember now why I waited to read this novella. Thankfully, Paper Hearts will be out soon. I can’t wait to read more about Jensen and Mia. I just hope my heart can handle it.
We were dared to kiss, and from the moment her lips met mine, I was a goner…
This book… THIS BOOK!!! For this short read, it had so much heart and packed a big punch. I cried… my heart completely and utterly sank around the half way point. I remember now why I waited to read this novella. Thankfully, Paper Hearts will be out soon. I can’t wait to read more about Jensen and Mia. I just hope my heart can handle it.
September 8, 2016
4 stars
This book made me excited for Paper Hearts!!!!
After being in the minority with Kaleidoscope Hearts and rating it a 3, I've been apprehensive to read the next book and novella in the series. I love Claire Contreras and her There is No Light in Darkness books so I am always willing to give her books a chance.
Torn Hearts is the prequel to Paper Hearts and must be read first for a complete understanding of Mia and Jensen's relationship. To be honest I don't remember much from KH, so reading this was a fresh look at the two characters and their relationship. It reminded me a lot of Cole and Blake from her other books and that's A-okay in my book, I loved that couple and their angsty relationship.
Mia and Jensen loved each other young but mistakes and life choices broke them apart, leaving one hating the other, and the other full of regret. Claire Contreras packed a lot of feels into 45 pages showing what an amazing author this woman is. Can't say much more without spoilers, so onward I go to Paper Hearts!!!
This book made me excited for Paper Hearts!!!!
After being in the minority with Kaleidoscope Hearts and rating it a 3, I've been apprehensive to read the next book and novella in the series. I love Claire Contreras and her There is No Light in Darkness books so I am always willing to give her books a chance.
Torn Hearts is the prequel to Paper Hearts and must be read first for a complete understanding of Mia and Jensen's relationship. To be honest I don't remember much from KH, so reading this was a fresh look at the two characters and their relationship. It reminded me a lot of Cole and Blake from her other books and that's A-okay in my book, I loved that couple and their angsty relationship.
Mia and Jensen loved each other young but mistakes and life choices broke them apart, leaving one hating the other, and the other full of regret. Claire Contreras packed a lot of feels into 45 pages showing what an amazing author this woman is. Can't say much more without spoilers, so onward I go to Paper Hearts!!!
September 8, 2015
The beginning of Jensen and Mia's story, has my interest peaked. The heartbreak, the angst, *sigh*, I love it.
I can't wait to get my hands on Paper Hearts
I can't wait to get my hands on Paper Hearts
October 11, 2015
4 Jangles & Road Runner STARS
Less than 25 minutes was all it took to have my heartstrings yanked, and heart ripped in two as I read this short novella about Mia Bennett and Jensen Reynolds.
Such a moving and emotional novella, damn!! It left me...
Onto Paper Hearts!
Less than 25 minutes was all it took to have my heartstrings yanked, and heart ripped in two as I read this short novella about Mia Bennett and Jensen Reynolds.
Such a moving and emotional novella, damn!! It left me...
Onto Paper Hearts!
August 10, 2016
5 STARS
Amazing,I loved it so much!I love this author a lot,she is so talented!She managed in this few pages to bring out of me so many feelings!!I need more!I can't wait for the next book!
Amazing,I loved it so much!I love this author a lot,she is so talented!She managed in this few pages to bring out of me so many feelings!!I need more!I can't wait for the next book!
August 1, 2015
Can't wait for Paper Hearts!
September 8, 2015
REVIEW TO COME
4.5 Stars!
4.5 Stars!
February 29, 2016
Holy Shiiiit! Jensen, you were going great and I was begining to like you a lot but then you did such a stupid thing to her... How could you do that her? Dammit, you're such a dick and I hate you right now.... :-/
September 12, 2015
~5 Torn Heart Stars~
Jensen and Mia are simply meant to be together. They are like two two music notes that when played together make perfect harmony. They are two halves of one whole. Suddenly, Jensen makes a mistake and Mia and Jensen are no more. The break is final. The act is one that cannot be undone.
"You deserve everything, Mia."-Jensen
"I only want you."-Mia
"You have me, baby. You'll always have me."-Jensen
Torn Hearts is a gripping novella that offers us a peek into the history of a beautiful couple that were ripped apart by life circumstances. It is told in both the present and the past. It is an introduction to the full novel Paper Hearts. If the purpose of Torn Hearts was to rip my heart open, it succeeded. Reading Torn Hearts left me raw, angry, turned on, broken, and these few chapters were like a down payment on the purchase of a beautiful story I will never forget.
"Do you love me, Jensen?"-Mia
"More than anything."-Jenson
Overall, I highly recommend anything written by Claire Contreras. Her writing style is fluid, full of emotions, and her characters are well developed. Although this was a quick read, it packed quite a punch! Additionally, I can now say with certainty that Jensen and Mia are my favorite of all of her characters to date. Don't waste another minute. Check out this novella now and prepare yourself for the beautiful broken tale of Jensen and Mia. Surely everyone deserves a second chance.
~ARC graciously provided via author in exchange for an honest review!~
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Jensen and Mia are simply meant to be together. They are like two two music notes that when played together make perfect harmony. They are two halves of one whole. Suddenly, Jensen makes a mistake and Mia and Jensen are no more. The break is final. The act is one that cannot be undone.
"You deserve everything, Mia."-Jensen
"I only want you."-Mia
"You have me, baby. You'll always have me."-Jensen
Torn Hearts is a gripping novella that offers us a peek into the history of a beautiful couple that were ripped apart by life circumstances. It is told in both the present and the past. It is an introduction to the full novel Paper Hearts. If the purpose of Torn Hearts was to rip my heart open, it succeeded. Reading Torn Hearts left me raw, angry, turned on, broken, and these few chapters were like a down payment on the purchase of a beautiful story I will never forget.
"Do you love me, Jensen?"-Mia
"More than anything."-Jenson
Overall, I highly recommend anything written by Claire Contreras. Her writing style is fluid, full of emotions, and her characters are well developed. Although this was a quick read, it packed quite a punch! Additionally, I can now say with certainty that Jensen and Mia are my favorite of all of her characters to date. Don't waste another minute. Check out this novella now and prepare yourself for the beautiful broken tale of Jensen and Mia. Surely everyone deserves a second chance.
~ARC graciously provided via author in exchange for an honest review!~
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
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May 30, 2023
A fast paced novella to give the backstory on why Mia and Jenson are not together in the present timeline: on their break while he was attending college in New York and she was in California he slept with his fellow classmate and was seeing her, but it was not serious and she got pregnant and Jensen knows how bad he fcked up and what he did was unforgivable in taking that from Mia since they knew with how much they loved each other, they would find their way back and be endgame.
The girl he got pregnant was kicked out of her home and threatened by her father and so was Jensen so he had to marry her (not by choice, from what I gathered briefly, due to the threatening by the father), and of course Mia never wants anything do to with him again when he tells her what’s happened because she feels so betrayed, hurt, and completely devastated (same sis) especially bc she always thought it would be her having the ring on her finger, being his wife, and the mother of his children one day. 😢💔
Fast forward 5 years to present time and I’m so excited, anxious, and curious to see how they find their way back to each other and get their second chance since she just got a job in New York—where Jensen lives.🥲💭🫢
I know this won’t be for everybody, but clearly I am weird and a masochist bc I live for that gut-wrenching, heart-stomping pain feeling, want to throw up bc of how sick I feel inside with all the angst going on, I can’t stop crying, somebody sedate me vibes in a romance story especially when I know there is a guaranteed HEA! 😌
The girl he got pregnant was kicked out of her home and threatened by her father and so was Jensen so he had to marry her (not by choice, from what I gathered briefly, due to the threatening by the father), and of course Mia never wants anything do to with him again when he tells her what’s happened because she feels so betrayed, hurt, and completely devastated (same sis) especially bc she always thought it would be her having the ring on her finger, being his wife, and the mother of his children one day. 😢💔
Fast forward 5 years to present time and I’m so excited, anxious, and curious to see how they find their way back to each other and get their second chance since she just got a job in New York—where Jensen lives.🥲💭🫢
I know this won’t be for everybody, but clearly I am weird and a masochist bc I live for that gut-wrenching, heart-stomping pain feeling, want to throw up bc of how sick I feel inside with all the angst going on, I can’t stop crying, somebody sedate me vibes in a romance story especially when I know there is a guaranteed HEA! 😌
September 24, 2015
♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
Well damn...good thing Paper Hearts is out. Especially after how this just ends. Need to start it now! ;)
September 1, 2015
I am not quite sure how a few pages can seriously mess me so up so freaking quickly, but this novella broke my heart and made me beg for more!
October 17, 2015
This is the novella that started all, the angst the heartbreak of two soulmates. Jensen and Mia...See my full review on Paper Hearts which includes the novella in it. This book is no longer available as is included on book two.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BOOK SERIES ORDER: STANDALONE
EPIC F(BR) BROKEN HEROES WEEK WITH MY SHHLUTS
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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October 2, 2015
Claire, Claire, Claire... what am I going to do with you?
Torn Hearts is the novella prequel to Paper Hearts, the story of Jensen and Mia. The story of how they were brought together and torn apart. Torn Hearts also gives us a bit of Oliver and Elle bonus epi which I adored!
But back to Jensen and Mia...
So this little read, which is listed on Amazon as not even 50 pages packs so much emotion. Claire’s writing is exceptional and you instantly can feel for these characters. You feel the love the hurt and the heartbreak. In such a little span, this story brought me to tears. TWICE.
I need the 10th of September to be like right now. Because the wait for the story of Mia and Jensen’s story is going to be torturous. I need these two to find their way back to one another. And although I have no doubts that they will, I am looking forward to the journey of them getting there utterly destroying me in the process.
This woman can do no wrong. I adore her. Absolutely adore her.
Torn Hearts is the novella prequel to Paper Hearts, the story of Jensen and Mia. The story of how they were brought together and torn apart. Torn Hearts also gives us a bit of Oliver and Elle bonus epi which I adored!
But back to Jensen and Mia...
So this little read, which is listed on Amazon as not even 50 pages packs so much emotion. Claire’s writing is exceptional and you instantly can feel for these characters. You feel the love the hurt and the heartbreak. In such a little span, this story brought me to tears. TWICE.
I need the 10th of September to be like right now. Because the wait for the story of Mia and Jensen’s story is going to be torturous. I need these two to find their way back to one another. And although I have no doubts that they will, I am looking forward to the journey of them getting there utterly destroying me in the process.
This woman can do no wrong. I adore her. Absolutely adore her.
April 14, 2016
Yes! This book is all kinds of angst in the best way. It's really like an extended prologue for Mia and Jensen's story that continues in Paper Hearts.
Mia is Estella's best friend and a photographer. We met her in Estella's book, Kaleidoscope Hearts and Jensen is an artist/writer who Mia has known for a long time.
There's some good drama in such a short book!
♦ CC has taken this off Amazon for the time being but don't worry...she included it in the beginning of Paper Hearts.
September 14, 2015
I CAN'T EVEN...!!!!
Wow am I so glad that I waited to read this until Paper Hearts came out because I would not have been able to stand it! I'm serious! The way this ends is a big fat NO for me...
Wow am I so glad that I waited to read this until Paper Hearts came out because I would not have been able to stand it! I'm serious! The way this ends is a big fat NO for me...
March 9, 2016
That's a prequel that made my heart beat so much!
I cried already... Can't wait to start Jensen & Mia's story.
And so happy to read about Oli& Elle's wedding. So beautiful ♥
I cried already... Can't wait to start Jensen & Mia's story.
And so happy to read about Oli& Elle's wedding. So beautiful ♥
May 17, 2018
Le pongo 3 estrellas pero es muy corto como para poder valorarlo, actúa como prólogo del siguiente libro y cumple su función de provocar curiosidad para leer Paper Hearts.
February 27, 2016
Minor spoilers alert!!!
Review now *UPDATED*
You can now read all 4 chapters of this novella for FREE! Go to Author, Claire Contreras's website http://clairecontreras.com/ or look for the novella on WattPad under ClaireContreras.
I loved finding out a little bit more about Mia and Jensen's failed romance and catching up with Estelle aka Elle and Oliver. Chapter 1 takes place at their wedding and is set 4 months after Elle and Oliver's love story, Kaleidoscope Hearts ended. Chapter 2 goes back first 5 years prior to 2010 and then to 2008.
I loved this moment below:
I also cringed in sympathy as Mia realizes that she is still very much attracted to Jensen and could possibly bump into him in NYC now that she's taken a new photography job there. There's nothing worse than still carrying a torch for someone that is unavailable.
The first 2 chapter installments definitely left me wanting to know more about why Mia and Jensen's relationship tanked so badly. I loved the ending to the 2002 flashback scene:
*Ch. 3: My favorite moment:
*Ch. 4: Jensen reveals his backstory and how he knocked up a girl from his poetry class – gah! At least he regrets it. The most moving moment:
My immediate reaction was just WOW and YES, exactly! Jensen, Mia and I were seriously all thinking this same thing.
Author Claire Contreras really gave fans a treat with this look at Mia and Jensen’s backstory. Their full length novel is expected sometime this summer. I, for one, am eager to find out how Mia and Jensen can find a way to be together again because it was painfully obvious that they never should have parted ways.
Review now *UPDATED*
You can now read all 4 chapters of this novella for FREE! Go to Author, Claire Contreras's website http://clairecontreras.com/ or look for the novella on WattPad under ClaireContreras.
I loved finding out a little bit more about Mia and Jensen's failed romance and catching up with Estelle aka Elle and Oliver. Chapter 1 takes place at their wedding and is set 4 months after Elle and Oliver's love story, Kaleidoscope Hearts ended. Chapter 2 goes back first 5 years prior to 2010 and then to 2008.
I loved this moment below:
“I can’t wait to show you how charming I can be,” Oliver said as he opened the door for Estelle.
“TMI,” I screamed. “TMI!”
Oliver barked out a laugh and shot a wink my way. “You know you love hearing about our sex life.”
“Not from you!” I responded with a laugh.
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter who the source is, the news is always the same, I rock her world. End of.”
We all laughed one last time before they drove off.’
I also cringed in sympathy as Mia realizes that she is still very much attracted to Jensen and could possibly bump into him in NYC now that she's taken a new photography job there. There's nothing worse than still carrying a torch for someone that is unavailable.
"You going to be okay?" Rob asked as we stood there, waiting for our own car to arrive.
"Yeah," I said, drawing in a breath. "I'm excited. I mean, despite the whole missing my family and friends thing, I'm excited."
"You should be. I don't think you've wanted anything more than this," he said. As he spoke I looked over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of Victor and Jensen talking inside the lobby, with drinks in their hands and nodded.
"I can think of one other thing," I said quietly.
The first 2 chapter installments definitely left me wanting to know more about why Mia and Jensen's relationship tanked so badly. I loved the ending to the 2002 flashback scene:
"I'll tell you everything, baby. Everything," he said in a whisper as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. "God, I missed you," he said, pulling my lips to his. We definitely needed to talk, but I was willing to wait a couple of hours if this was his way of temporarily shutting me up.
*Ch. 3: My favorite moment:
He reached for my hand and kissed the back of it. “Are you having fun?”
“I always have fun when I’m with you.”
“Good because I have an entire weekend of fun planned.”
“Does it involve you and me naked on a bed?”
His nostrils flared as he pulled out of the parking lot. He brought my hand up to his mouth and grazed his teeth along the tips of my fingers. “And the kitchen table. And the floor. And the shower. And the beach. The possibilities are endless, really.”
My insides tightened.
“You want that?” he asked, his voice low.
“I want that,” I replied in a whisper.
*Ch. 4: Jensen reveals his backstory and how he knocked up a girl from his poetry class – gah! At least he regrets it. The most moving moment:
I’d seen her cry, but never like this. Not even when her family dog died did she cry like this, and it fucking killed me. Her blue eyes were filled with pain that I’d caused. She raised her finger and pointed at me. “It should have been me. That’s all I can think right now.”
My immediate reaction was just WOW and YES, exactly! Jensen, Mia and I were seriously all thinking this same thing.
Author Claire Contreras really gave fans a treat with this look at Mia and Jensen’s backstory. Their full length novel is expected sometime this summer. I, for one, am eager to find out how Mia and Jensen can find a way to be together again because it was painfully obvious that they never should have parted ways.
January 17, 2016
Mmmm so when does the full book come out??? BECAUSE I NEED IT. at first I didn't think I was going to like Jensen but he quickly recovered from the little thing that bothered me. I really really like Mia. but seriously that twist. Omg, shot through the heart!!!
So excited for the rest of this.
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So excited for the rest of this.
READ THIS REVIEW AND OTHERS OVER ON OUR BLOG:
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January 16, 2016
Wow! With an introduction like that to Mia and Jensen's story, I know I'm going to need a box of Kleenex near me. Off to read Paper Hearts next.
October 2, 2015
“You have me, baby. You’ll always have me.”
I haven't read Kaleidoscope Hearts so this is my first meet with Jensen and Mia and I think this is too short for me to understand their relationship dynamics, but from the little I can see, I think their book is going to be heartbreaking.
Looking forward to read
during Shh... (F)BR starting Oct 11, 2015Join the (F)BR: https://goo.gl/ZsJJKK
September 10, 2015
Now jumping straight into
August 8, 2021
Wow, how could my heart go through so much in just 45 pages!
September 19, 2015
“Our story wasn’t always pretty. Some would argue it was quite the opposite, but it was beautiful to me.”
3 ‘I’m already annoyed, but quietly hopeful’ stars
This is a very brief introduction to Mia and Jensen and the beginning of what is sure to be a tumultuous, angst-fest of a love story which will continue in Paper Hearts.
It’s short, featuring snippets from their relationship, their break-up and beyond, but I can already tell that it’s going to take a lot for me to be able to forgive and forget and fully embrace this reconciliation. But I’m pulling up the big girl panties and diving straight in. Thank God I waited until Paper Hearts was released!
3 stars.
3 ‘I’m already annoyed, but quietly hopeful’ stars
This is a very brief introduction to Mia and Jensen and the beginning of what is sure to be a tumultuous, angst-fest of a love story which will continue in Paper Hearts.
It’s short, featuring snippets from their relationship, their break-up and beyond, but I can already tell that it’s going to take a lot for me to be able to forgive and forget and fully embrace this reconciliation. But I’m pulling up the big girl panties and diving straight in. Thank God I waited until Paper Hearts was released!
3 stars.
July 10, 2018
Torn Hearts hace la funcion de prologo de la historia de Jensen y Mia.
Al ser tan corta no da demasiado tiempo a conectar con los protagonistas pero lo que narra es tan interesante que te dan ganas de leer Paper Hearts para averiguar como termina su historia de amor.
Me hubiera gustado que la autora profundizara un poco mas en como empezo su relacion y tambien en el dia a dia de esos dos años juntos, pero como ya digo, a grandes rasgos es una lectura cortita y entretenida.
Quede bastante satisfecha.
2.75 Estrellas!
September 15, 2015
Can't wait to jump into Paper Hearts. This short, but intensely angsty novella has wetted my appetite for more Mia and Jensen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews