Ella Rendale wants only what is hers and will use whatever is at hand to get it all back. Having had her father’s company, TimeGem Moments, stolen from her and shipped off to boarding school, she is now ONE SHATTERED CROWN away from getting everything back. 

One problem and a really large one is Justice Beathach, the deadly, hot brother of a man she “accidentally” almost killed. Thorn and Alana, her best friend, have forgiven her, but he hasn’t. He does need her help because the virus that almost killed his brother is affecting him. She healed Thorn; now she will fix him up, or maybe he will just have to take her with him. 

ONE SHATTERED CROWN is author Rebecca Zanetti’s third Grimm Bargains offering. This is a darker, high-tech rendition of Cinderella. It even has a moment of the “prince,” aka Justice, finding her slipper – though not glass in this tale; it is citrine, the gem of Ella’s choice. Gems play a large role in these books as they power the social media empires that play big for these powerful families. 

Ms. Zanetti brings this world to life with her ability to bring to mind everything with just a few words. The atmosphere, the danger, the intrigue, and the steamy romance all come to life in this twisted fairy tale. Many of the characters are those that we have met before in the other two Grimm submissions - One Dark Kiss and One Shattered Rose. Ella’s godmothers add some light moments to this dark offering – think elderly women and a rocket launcher – yes, those moments. 

Readers will watch as Ella tries to escape Justice, and her growing feelings for the risky man, a number of times only to be brought back as he protects her from many enemies. It seems like everyone wants her, him, or both of them dead. The final count of bodies is rather high, and the real culprits are a tremendous surprise – though one of the duo who are evil was suspected of being the bad guy, it was a shocker to see who else was behind it all. 

ONE SHATTERED CROWN starts out with the wedding of the century with the expected glitz and glamour but very quickly moves on in a fast pace that will have readers hanging on for dear life. I have often said that a book is hard to put down, but ONE SHATTERED CROWN is impossible to put down. This author certainly knows how to make a dark, dangerous man who will do anything for the woman his heart has chosen – without completely taking away the man he is. The world will always see the darkness where Ella sees the heart of the man. 

ONE SHATTERED CROWN is a fantastic read – a fairy tale for those who love dangerous men.