Damaged by C.K. Green is the first entry in the Damaged series, and a great achievement for a debut novelist. Eight years ago, Kiera was attacked and badly hurt, left for dead on the roadside. A police officer, Ethan, rescued her then. But she refused to offer any details of what happened to her to the police. She has moved on, heading for a new start in Nashville. It has been eight years and she has succeeded in putting aside memories of that painful night. Then she meets Ethan again on a girls’ night out and it seems like the past is coming back to haunt her. For Ethan, it’s an opportunity to explore a secret crush he’s had on Kiera, but can his need for the truth allow him to genuinely connect with this girl — so close, yet so inaccessible? The reader will be delighted to find out the answers.

The writing is done in a tone that is light and atmospheric and this author creates scenes that are cinematic and focused, thanks to the masterly use of the first person narrative. Character development is one of the author’s strong points, and even if I didn’t find many twists in the narrative, the story focuses on the conflict and the character arc is neatly done. The author offers great insights into the characters, making them real, genuinely vulnerable, allowing readers to experience their emotions. For instance, when we encounter Kiera, we know she is someone who is indecisive, often letting anxiety dominate her judgment, the kind of person who changes plans at the very last minute, and there is a history behind this attitude of hers. The first person narrative voice works and it allows the reader to connect emotionally with the characters. C.K. Green has a gift for storytelling and knows how to keep readers engaged from one exciting page to the next. Damaged is a book for readers who enjoy great characters and romance with deep emotional layers.