USA TODAY bestselling author Ella Frank continues the story of Alexander Thorne and Sean Bailey in Breaking News.XanderSean Bailey, the older brother of my lifelong best friend, has always been a surly, temperamental pain in my ass. But sometime during the last few weeks, I’ve gone and fallen head over heels for him. Gruff and charming, charismatic in his own way, I’ve found myself looking past … own way, I’ve found myself looking past my preconceptions and discovered a whole new side to Detective Dick—a side I could fall in love with.
But life isn’t always easy—it can change course in the blink of an eye. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. I know this because last night I experienced both sides.
I went to Sean for help in guarding my body; what I didn’t expect was for him to steal my heart.
Breaking News is not a standalone and should only be read after book one, Inside Affair. Headlines, the third and final book in the Prime Time Series, will be available 9.28.20.
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4.25 Stars!
This book picks up right where Inside Affair ended, and as such, I would strongly recommend that you read that book before trying to read this one. I’m going to do my best to not spoil it too much, but that may be tough considering.
Xander and Sean have learned more about each other in the last few weeks than they had in the years that Xander has been best friends with Sean’s brother Bailey. On their way to what should have been a great night and their first date, things went awry and now they must deal with the aftermath.
I loved getting to see more of Sean. I really didn’t like him much in Henry and Bailey’s books, but he’s really grown on me now. Here, he was full of surprises, and I loved seeing these new sides of his personality. It was good to get more insight into his life and see how events that both he and Xander were part of in the past were different when you had both of their perspectives. While I understood why Xander wanted to get back to normal, I was glad that he gave Sean’s idea a try. It was a wonderful experience for them both to get away for a while and further cement their growing relationship.
What happened with Bailey was unfortunate, but not terribly surprising. It will be interesting to see how Bailey, Xander, and Sean work things out in the next book; I am also really looking forward to Henry’s reaction.
Xander and Sean are back and I loved being back with them and falling in love right along with them.
After the cliffhanger from book one, I was dying to see what would become of Sean and Xander and we pick up right where book one finished.
I liked the change in dynamics between them, Xander now in Sean’s home, taking care for him and I liked this different side to Xander but I loved how much of a couple they became taking care of each other.
Once things have settled down, the real talk of them as a couple needs to be discussed. Especially, since Sean was straight and Xander used to date Sean’s brother Bailey. But they are happy in their bubble just the two of them and know it won’t be an easy conversation to have.
In this book and I laughed and swooned at all the little moments between them, especially when they were at the cabin. I had a smile on my face the whole time, Sean really does know who to do sweet . Their love for each other is pure and when they are together, no one else exists.
This book has it all, sweetness, romance, love and plenty of heat! We end in another cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happened next!
ARC received for an honest review.
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Overall Ratings;u2063
POV – Dual
Hero (S) –
Hero (X) –
Story –
Steam –
Chemistry –
In this second installment, Xander and Sean took a step forward in their relationship. It seems that author preferred a more intimate approach to evoke the main characters’ journey. In the aftermath of the previous ending, his situation has brought them closer, turning into an intense and passionate relationship, showing how deep they already were.
It was also a sensual exploration for these two, especially for Sean, showing that love wasn’t about the person or gender but about how that person made you feel. I found this approach interesting, not defying straight or gay, bisexual or not. In their story, it didn’t put a cross in a box, the characters let themselves in their explicit desire, in their all being. It went beyond the physical, showing part of themselves no one could see. Finally seeing the real person.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts leading to some smoking hot moments and beating around the bush about expressing their feelings or desires. They took care of the other, supportive and protective. Emotional and hot, sweet and tender.
I adored to see them taking that leap of faith and finding happiness. What would happen when they went out in public, out of their safe bubble?
Breaking News is: Xander and Sean are finally together and it was about damn time!
Breaking News is the second book in the Prime Time series by the talented Ella Frank. It picks up right where Inside Affair left off. Sean and Xander have been through a lot together in a short time. Even though they’ve known each other since they were young, now as adults, their relationship has become more important than anything. They have to try to figure out where to go from here. Their attraction has grown and even though they are different, they want to be together. Will they be able to be out in the world together? I love Sean and Xander. They have been through a lot, but they have quickly become so much to each other. More than friends. More than lovers. My heart broke a little at the end and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.
Stop! If you haven’t read the first book Inside Affair, go do that now. If not, you will be totally lost.
This is the second book in the series and picks right up where we left off in book one. This beautiful book brings all of our emotions to the surface. Yes, it’s a steamy read but it’s so much more. We get two wonderful people who day by day fall in love and the emotions that go with that.
Xander and Sean both have stolen my heart. And in true Ella Frank fashion she is giving us a absolute wonderful story. Can not wait for book three.
*Review by Michelle
Picking up right where we were left hanging, Breaking News continues the story of Sean and Xander’s complicated love story. Considering what happened at the end of Inside Affair, and how both Sean and Xander were dealing with the aftereffects, this ended up being a lighter read than I expected.
While Sean’s healing well, Xander is having a harder time with what happened. Feeling guilty over Sean being hurt, while also coming to grips with the thought of someone invading his personal, private sanctuary, has him in a bit of a bad head space. Enter Sean, who steals him away in the hopes of bringing him some peace.
I liked how caring they both were towards each other- Xander being there for Sean as his physical wounds healed, and Sean right there for Xander as he dealt with the mental anguish in the aftermath of all that went down. At the same time they continued to explore the relationship building between them, feelings were growing deeper than I think either of them expected.
While being with a man was something completely new for Sean, he sure warmed up to the idea quite easily. I think it helped knowing Xander pretty much his entire life. I enjoyed seeing these men fall for each other and navigate through all the new feelings they were both experiencing.
But it’s not all smooth sailing for Sean and Xander as they prepare to reenter the real world, after their time away. Just as they make the decision on how to move forward, it’s taken out of their hands and they’re left to deal with the fallout. And we’re left waiting until September, for the conclusion to their story!
Ooh! Things are really getting good in the second book of the Prime Time series. At the end of book one I was left saying “but, but I need to know what happens next”! Well, next is here we are thrown right back into the action! We return with Sean having been injured while protecting Xander in his role as his bodyguard. While Sean takes his injury and recovery in stride, Xander has a harder time reconciling the events of his stalker and Sean being injured while saving his life. I loved how the next chapter of Sean and Xander’s relationship unfolded. They had some real conversations that made my heart melt. Sean and Xander are what the expression “everything happens for a reason” means. They were brought together at this time after so many years of knowing each other for a reason. Sean is full steam ahead in his feelings about Xander. As you would expect from Ella Frank, things between Sean and Xander really start to heat up to epic hotness levels. This chapter of Sean and Xander had so many emotional peaks, it’ll keep you on your toes. Just when you think things may be smooth sailing they hit a major snag in their developing relationship. I can’t wait to see how this resolves itself in the conclusion.
*This is the second book of the series and must be read following the first book, Inside Affair.
I was on pins and needles during the first few chapters of this book and then I was absolutely gobsmacked with that cliffhanger ending. Gah! I know, I KNOW, from experience that when Ella Frank writes a series that features the same couple, readers are going to have those evil cliffhanger endings to deal with, yet when I get to that cliffy, I still can’t help my mouth falling open in shock and wishing it were already September so I can get my hands on the third and final book. Sean and Xander have come so far, but I need more, darn it! Five stars go to Breaking News.
Breaking News is book two in the Prime Time series by Ella Frank. Again I was swept away by the tantalising words of Ella Frank. Breaking News was tumultuous, with Sean his usual tenacious self, and Xander shining his light on their story. These characters are so individual, yet they seem to compliment each other perfectly. Their journey is far from traditional, because honestly, their story needs to be larger than life, to suit these strong and charismatic personalities. Their battles are fierce, their make ups are out of this world!! My heart beat for Sean and Xander. My breath belonged to them. My thoughts, every emotion, and sensation was devoted to these men. It was a perfect continuation of a dramatic and riveting series. Sean and Xander have left me itching for more. Bring on book 3.
5 stars.
4.5 Stars!
Breaking News is a direct continuation from Inside Affair and you absolutely need to read them in order. If you haven’t read the first book, turn around now because there might be spoilers ahead.
In this book, Xander and Sean are dealing with the aftermath of Xander’s stalker attacking them and exploring their growing feelings for each other.
I loved Xander and Sean together, their chemistry is out of this world and they just fit so well together, despite being so different. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they’re hotter than hot when they’re in close proximity to each other. 😉
While Breaking News doesn’t exactly end in a cliffhanger, it’s obvious there are going to be quite a few things to deal with in Headlines, the last book in the series, and September 28 can’t come soon enough. This book was sexy and fun with some low-angst to move things along. I loved their trip, seeing Xander so far out of his comfort zone and their newfound closeness and can’t wait to see how things will play out in book 3. Definitely recommendable!
*** Copy provided for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
The only thing wrong with Breaking News, book two of Ella Frank’s Prime Time series, is that it leaves us hanging and waiting for another two months for the final book to come out!
At the end of the first book, Inside Affair, Sean is injured. Breaking News picks up as Sean is recovering, but while Xander wasn’t physically harmed, he is having a very hard time coping with what happened. He is dealing with misplaced guilt, believing that he is somehow responsible for Sean’s injuries. Sean is very concerned that Xander is bottling his feelings up instead of facing them, and he works really hard to try and help Xander through it.
Because Sean had always thought of himself as straight until Xander, I thought we might see him freaking out a little bit while trying to accept his new realizations about his sexuality. But it wasn’t an issue for him. He is sure in his feelings for Xander and while he is a little nervous about how things will work as their physical relationship progresses, he’s completely secure with who he is and his feelings for Xander.
This middle book in the trilogy is mostly about watching the relationship between Sean and Xander grow and deepen. While their physical relationship grows, so does their emotional connection. They each share parts of themselves that they haven’t ever shared with anyone else. While it’s clear that their relationship will face more tests in the future, this book shows that they appear to be strong enough to withstand it. It might be messy and difficult at times, but it promises to be worth it.
*4 stars*
I’ve been dying to read the follow-up of Inside Affair as that ending just left me wondering what was going to happen next. This one is a bit slower paced and concentrates more on their relationship evolving but has you hoping for a happy ending. We’ll have to wait until September to see if we truly get one…
Xander and Sean have been through a terrible ordeal and are trying to move forward from that awful event. Xander has a lot of anxiety and doesn’t really know how to handle everything that has happened in the last few weeks but Sean will do whatever it takes to help him through it. Their relationship gets stronger and their bond continues to grow. Even though it’s been a slow process, their feelings for one another get deeper and being together has them feeling on top of the world but there are still some hurdles to take. Will their relationship continue to grow?…
Breaking News is book two in the Prime Time series by Ella Frank. Do you know that feeling when a book is so good, that you love the two MC’s so much, that when you take in a breath, it sounds kind of shaky, like you are just on emotional overload?! Well, that is me right now. This book is a continuation of Sean and Xander’s story. It takes up directly where the previous book, Inside Affair, left off. You need to read this series in order.
“It was amazing that in all these years, I’d never realized that the person who would change me for the better had been right in front of me all along.”
Xander went to Sean in the previous book for help. He needed protection, a body guard, from a stalker. Xander was open about his sexual orientation. But Sean was straight. Sean is the older brother of Xander’s best friend and is a detective for the Chicago PD. They’ve known each other most of their lives. But during the long days, and nights together, they realized they really didn’t know each other at all. Sean might have never been attracted to a man before but he was with Xander. But it was so much more than just attraction, for the both of them. They fell for each other. If you read the first book, though, then you know that they almost lost everything.
“Alexander Thorne was a beautiful man, and by some miracle of fate, he wanted to be mine.”
Now, Sean and Xander are moving forward, trying to heal, both physically for Sean, and mentally, for Xander. The horrible circumstances they endured did not put distance between their fledgling relationship, though. Just the opposite, it brought them closer. Xander cared for Sean physically, and Sean tried to help Xander mentally. Each day that passed, they grew closer. Attraction grew to a bond which was quickly growing to be more. It was quickly growing into love.
“So this was what it felt like to be content. This was what it felt like to be safe. I trusted Sean with every single part of me, and that now included my heart.”
Yes, I just sighed while typing this. I don’t know how Ella Frank does it with her words. I haven’t read that many of her books yet, maybe four? But every one has left a lasting impression on me. Her characters stick with me, just as Xander and Sean do. The final book in this series will be called Headlines. I need it sooner rather than later. I need to see how these two’s story ends. I hope you’ll be right there with me with all the sighs and swoons, falling in love with Sean and Xander.
“I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”
Sean and Xander’s torrid love story continued in Breaking News. After the near-death incident at the end of Inside Affair, both Sean and Xander required time to heal. Xander cared for Sean while he was recuperating physically and Sean was the rock Xander leaned on when he was healing from the mental trauma.
The pace of the book was a little slower than the last installment. It was wonderful and swoon-worthy to witness the pair fell in love. We got to know the real Sean from Xander’s eyes. He was more than the grouchy exterior which everyone saw. As each day passed, they grew closer and formed a tangible bond. I got all the feels from the beautiful moments they shared. It showed how much they trust each other as they pull the walls around their hearts down and shared some honest conversations. I wanted to stay in their warm and fluffy bubble with them forever.
It was amazing to see Sean and Xander’s relationship solidified in the days when they were living in their secret love bubble. Unfortunately, they met their first challenge the second they step back into the real world. I’m dying to find out how they would navigate through the challenges in the next installment, Headlines.
I volunteered to provide an honest review of an advance complimentary copy of this book.
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Give me more! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Xander & Sean have so many hurdles to climb. In this second book it is definitely about learning to lean on your companion to get through the battles. These two have known each other since they were young and right now they are learning to trust each other fully with more than just personal safety… with their hearts and their minds. Such a fantastic story. That cliffhanger ending… whew… I can’t wait for the last one.
5 Trusting Love Stars
Breaking News was intense, interesting, and emotional. Sean and Xander are trying to recover after everything that happened in Prime Time, and it’s easier said than done. That night hit them hard and they need time to process and move on from it. Sean and Xander are an interesting duo. They still don’t seem like they would work as a couple because they’re so different, but they really do. They have formed a strong bond and I love seeing it continue to develop and strengthen even more. I wasn’t expecting the end to unfold the way it did. Once again it has me curious as to how the next book is going to play out and I can’t wait for more! *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
More Sean, more Xander what’s not to love! Breaking News showed Xander’s vulnerability and Sean’s protectiveness and every scene with these two kept my heart pitter-pattering.
Every touch, every moan made me want to scream more, more as my Kindle continued to heat up. I loved how Ella Frank is able to pull me in 100% every time she writes M/M books. Her men become my men. Of course the ending of Breaking News leaves me on the edge with Headlines a faint whisper in the wind. I cannot wait to see what happens when Sean and Xander come out of their protective bubble and things start to get real.
I have been waiting to get my hands on book two of this trilogy after the heart-stopping conclusion of book one, Inside Affair. This gets us right back into the story and what happens after the worst night of their lives.
The aftermath. The recovery. The fear. The consequences. The vulnerability. The pain. The healing.
This is the recovering and building phase. And it is still a simmering slow burn.
They are two men who shared something so tragic and personal in addition to the burgeoning feelings and desires they had just started to explore. They are navigating a new world with surprising feelings, a developing relationship, and personal challenges, while still shielding themselves from those around them.
In their bubble, they can just be. I loved the peeling back of their layers. The sharing of tender explorations and heartfelt conversations and acts of care. How their views and outlooks are changing. And how more aware they are that everything can change in an instant. There are some really beautiful and heartfelt moments in this one as trust and understanding continue to grow.
Xander and Sean together are pure magic. They have moved up my list right behind Logan and Tate as my favorite Ella Frank couple. The gruff, loner, previously straight Detective and the gorgeous, popular, private, gay celebrity. No one, not even themselves, would ever have imagined them together. And now they just do not want anyone or anything to tear them apart. But they still have to face their real lives and complex family and friend relationships.
I was not ready for it to end and need Headlines now so I can find out how it all works out.
Oh boy! Breaking News picks up where book one, Inside Affair, left off with a huge cliffy!
Xander and Sean’s secret attraction continues to develop in cozy quarters while Sean heals from his wounds and Xander watches over him.
After another concerning incident, Sean takes Xander on a trip where the two really have a chance to learn more about each other solidifying their relationship while raising concerns on how to break their news to Sean’s brother, Xanders ex and good friend.
No big deal, right?
Looking forward to reading the conclusion and happily ever after.
The title of Breaking News couldn’t be more perfect for this second book in the Prime Time series. Ella Frank digs deep when she picks up right where we left off in Classified and Xander is literally at his breaking point after he witnessed what happened to Sean. His agony is evident right from the start as Xander never leaves Sean’s side and in turn, never fully deals with the aftermath of this horrific incident.
This 2nd installment is truly full of a myriad of feelings as the newfound romance between the anchorman and his bodyguard seems to be put on hold for the time being. At the forefront, however, is the undeniable love that has grown very quickly between Xander and Sean and the pure devotion each has for the other.
I’m thrilled that Frank took her time in how Xander and Sean needed to create a new normal between them and the way each surprises the other almost daily at the sweet gestures and words spoken that both longed to hear. Of course, the chemistry has never wavered no matter what might be thrown in their way and although their trysts are understandably fewer than normal (especially for a Frank book lol), these two can’t help but want the other desperately.
Sean shows his softer side in grand fashion and Xander despite his trepidation at resuming his life, finds a light with his man he didn’t think existed and it was almost impossible for me not to fall hard for the tenderness and caring each shows the other. It’s downright touching to watch just how far each of these sexy men have fallen.
Breaking News is really beautiful, has a sharp wit when needed and showcases a love that no one saw coming, as is evidenced by the jaw-dropping ending. Book 3 should be one heck of a conclusion as Xander and Sean continue to navigate this unexpected romance all the while staying true to themselves and those around them.
5 solid stars!