Emma Davies
Personally, I have never understood why someone would gamble especially when they are aware of just how far they have fallen; well, I can honestly say Jay has enlightened me and help me develop my empathy for this type of addiction via the charismatic Crew. Crew has issues, some of these issues stem from his tumultuous relationship with his father, others are a direct product of his low opinion of himself – can anyone say ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. Crew is a contradiction where his confidence is concerned, his certainty in his abilities is founded in his talent while his belief in his betting goes against rationality. It is made clear within the narrative that the act of gambling produces a rush within the body akin to that produced by substance abuse, and that is where the addiction is based. Having reached rock-bottom, Crew is given a reprieve in the form of a feisty, ice-queen, Della, who for some initially inexplicable reason makes Crew want to be a better man. Della has her own baggage, fighting to prove her worth to an absentee father. Both Della and Crew have a lot riding on her success. What neither of them expect is the attraction and connection they feel to each other. While the physical aspect of their relationship is instinctual, the emotional side is new territory for them both. Watching them come to terms with their feelings while trying to navigate their way through the obstacles in their path was compelling. I completely loved the twist within the plot and honestly would not have expected the direction it took and the emotion it added to the story as a whole. Unbroken is a wonderful gateway into the world of Loveless, Texas with brief introductions and background details laying a foundation for the rest of the series 😍