Dave and Clarise Johnson, late to a realtors awards banquet, are arguing about Dave staying late at work again when they are run into by a teen in a hurry. Reesie's pinned in the cab of the truck: When she's finally freed and taken to the hospital she finds her leg is busted in multiple places.

After her return home, she sinks into a depression and pushes her husband away. Dave starts contacting rehabilation centers so Clarisse can get physical therapy. They find Julie, a fellow congregation member of their church. They think she'll be perfect but not just as a physical therapist. Dave starts to like and admire Julie who shows him attention and respect. Dave takes on mentoring Julie's son Bryson, a gifted swimmer and an all around good kid.

Dave breaks it off with Julie and goes to counciling with his wife. One night after Dave comes home from work he asks Reesie a question but she doesn't answer and he walks into the living room wondering why? He finds her on the couch her eyes glued to the television. In a freak accident, Bryson died. He runs to Julie and Clarisse's parting words are that she wouldn't be there when he comes back.

With every page, I feel like my IQ drops a point and my extensive vocabulary is further corrupted like my brain has a computer virus. After a very slow and monotonous start, by thirty pages I was tempted to use it for kindling at my next bonfire.

I realize people use slang in speech and writing, and in certain instances it's helpful with understanding a character. However, this author's use of dialect is nauseating.

"Boo, I'ma gon git you some help."

"Yes'm."

"Well, that's all fit'n to change sistuh."

"gon get"

"That sho' helps me"

It's not just one character, but a few. Every conversation requires an interpeter, and it drove me nuts.

A majority of the book is taken up by David coaching little league, which is given more importance than I feel it should. The coach's wife, Reesie, is unlikeable and comes across as a cold, hard bitch. I couldn't relate to her, nor is she someone I could root for. By chapter ten I was rooting for Julie and Dave. There is nothing in Clarisse's character to allow for redemption or sympathy, not even the accident that crushed her left leg.

Slow, monotonous, dull. I simply could not get into this book, if you're looking for a good love conquers all this is not the book for you.

AudioBook page http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/books/52/1594832110/index.html

Audio excerpt in mp3 http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/media/NotEasilyBroken.mp3

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Publisher: FaithWords
ISBN: 0446576778
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