Broken City by DD Chant

Deeta Richards has never seen the outside world. Before she was born a banking crisis brought civilization to an end and now no one leaves the safety of the compounds unless they need to, but Deeta still dreams of seeing more than the building she was born in.
Tom is in the guard, this group are the only people that the tribal elders allow to leave the compound and tom knows only too well that Deeta could never survive the harshness that exists outside. Then tragedy strikes and Deeta and her sister Jan find themselves captured by a hostile tribe. Why does Tom know so much about these people? And why do they know so much about him? As this mystery draws to a climax, they discover that their friend Tom is not quite what he seems...

The story starts off with an air of mystery to it. The introduction to very close knit families living in tight quarters with several members in a small space. When the security of the compound is breached. The turmoil, revealing of secrets, moving of the family and eventual war is what drives us through the rest of the story.
An overlying story of romance carries throughout the book. We are introduced to a society that is so close that you would think that secrets could not be hidden from each other. But when they do arise, it only takes one secret to shatter their small world.
There were parts of the story that I felt slowed down the pacing a little too much, but I am very glad that I stuck with it. I liked seeing the story come full circle at the ending and thought that it was a good ending.
It was a clean read, a story that made you think and imagine what it would be like. That even in times of war it's the things that are around us every day that keep us going. Family, friends, and companionship. I think overall my favorite character was Tom. That even though your born and raised with a focus to be one thing, doesn't mean that's what your future holds. Tom is a strong character for choosing his own path and determined and brave enough to fight for it.