Rule #1 Hands off my best friend’s kid sisterRule #2 See rule number oneRule #3 Seriously, don’t even think about touching EmmaEmma Kane is my new room mate. My very off limits room mate. My gorgeous, sassy, hot as hell room mate.I try to keep my distance. To ignore her soft laugh, her intense eyes, her sweet smile.And that groan, the one she makes over her morning coffee–Alright, the feisty … morning coffee–
Alright, the feisty college student is driving me out of my mind.
I can still keep my hands off her.
I double down on my rules. Draw that line between friends and lovers.
Then she presses her red lips to mine.
And, suddenly, it’s obvious.
There’s no way in hell I can resist her.
From the author: Breaking the Rules is a smoking hot standalone brother’s best friend romance with an alpha hero and a feisty heroine who brings him to his knees. Come see why readers say “no one writes broken bad boys like Crystal Kaswell.”
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I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.
In this book we get Hunter and Emma’s story. Hunter is having issues and needs to crash somewhere different for awhile. So he asks his best friend Brendon if he can crash as his place for a bit. Emma has a secret about why she can’t stay at her place but she isn’t willing to tell. Can these two help each other in ways they never thought? Or will they find that secrets will make it impossible to be around one another?
This is a great book. You will find yourself emotionally connecting with these characters in ways you never thought you would. It has its ups and downs I really want to tell you about. However I don’t want to ruin it for any other readers. I will say that this book will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I think Hunter and Emma’s story has to been then best out of all the Inked Heart books. It is a lot longer the all the others, so I think the author got a bit more in-depth with their complicated story. Both have to fight through past pain, they both think in one way or another that they are broken. But their broken pieces fit together. Even though it takes Hunter a lot longer to realize it. Their love story is hard, complicated, but also so so so sweet. They both get the redemption that they deserve.
Oh and I can’t wait for the new guys to get their stories because I wasn’t happy that this series was ending!
Another amazing well written book in the ‘Inked Heart’ series. It is a fast pace and emotionally deep read. It is funny and entertaining; and the witty banter between the characters is quite enjoyable and adds so much to this book. Loveable characters – the chemistry between them very potent and hot. They are broken and together they heal each other falling in love along the way. A really interesting story that I definitely recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
No one writes such real characters like Crystal Kaswell. I ABSOLUTELY love everyone of her books she has not let me down and this book which is the next book in the inked hearts series was no different. The things that the characters have to go through to get their HEA are real.
The chemistry that Emma and Hunter had was AH-MAZING.
I can not wait to see what else will happen in the wonderful world at Inked hearts
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story and characterizations. There was great dialogue between characters; fast-paced and very stimulating. The two main characters especially kept rapidly bantering back and forth between each other. This is a lovely romantic tale but it comes attached to, unfortunately, not uncommon issues of the day: alcoholism and rape. Ms. Kaswell gently maneuvered around these two delicate issues, yet parlayed in-depth feelings and struggles, of not only the effected individual, but also of those who love and support the person. An intense read that is very well put together.
Excellent use of my time reading this novel.
I sense more novels may appear in this series as Ms. Kaswell has introduced three new characters that have been hired to work at the shop. Yippee
I voluntarily received a free advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
This is book five in the Inked Hearts series but can definitely be read as a standalone. Emma and Hunter have amazing chemistry together. They both are a little broken inside and have to work through things to be together. Great storyline that has betrayal, friendship, guilt and so much more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Breaking the Rules by Crystal Kaswell is the story of Emma and Hunter and is book 5 in the Inked Hearts series. This can be a standalone book.
Ms. Kaswell is my go to author for a hot but emotional read and this book didn’t disappoint. Both Emma and Hunter have hit some hard times in their life and are working on the up side now of their lives. So each know a low point and the hunger to succeed in their life.
Loved it!
4 1/2 Stars!
Emma is keeping a huge secret that is affecting her emotionally. Normally strong, smart, and confident, she finds herself doubting her self worth and judgement. This story was realistic in how a young woman deals with date rape, and the ways she struggles with the fact that it truly happened. She finds a deep connection with her brother’s best friend and her secret crush from her youth. Hunter has problems and secrets of his own. He also battles with his self worth and the way his additions and selfishness has ruined his relationship with his brothers and with his friends. Emma’s older brother Brandon is the only one who has not shunned him for the mess he’s made of his life.
When Emma and Hunter get together, they start to heal and connect with each other. Yes they have a strong physical attraction, but I liked the way the author showed that their emotional connection was the even more important to them. There’s a lot of growing and accepting that goes on in this romance, and I‘ve got to admit that Hunter kind of blows it a couple of times.
I loved that Emma is vulnerable, but strong. When she finally reveals the truth to Hunter, he is able to give her all the support and love that she needs. When he pulls away from her because of his own messy history, she doesn’t accept it. I loved the scene where she lays it on the line by telling him he doesn’t get to decide if he’s not good enough for her. I hate the reoccurring theme in contemporary romances where the hero leaves the heroine because “she would be better without him” This author dealt with that nicely. I really like a strong female lead, and even though she was plagued and damaged by what happened, she really showed inner strength as she tries to pick up her life after it happens.
I wished that Vince was punished for what he did, but I guess I’m a bit more bloodthirsty than the author.
This well written romance covered a lot of serious topics and gave hope in the way the main couple was able to help each other heal and thrive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crystal Kaswell has become one of those authors for me that is a sure thing for a good time read. Her characters are always well-developed and multi-dimensional and the storyline sucks you in and keeps you going for one more chapter when you should be sleeping. I’ve experienced more than one bleary morning with a Kaswell hangover, but it’s a torture I love. This book is not exception. Step into Kaswell’s world and let her ruin your sleep, too. You won’t be sorry. 😀
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Broken bad boys are Crystal Kaswell’s specialty! And Hunter has joined the club!
I loved this story of Hunter and Emma- messed up friends who both want more but because of their pasts- they aren’t sure how to be together!
Once they open up and are honest with each other- can they finally be together.
This book has the usual Inked Hearts crew we all love, new characters added which I look forward to in future books! I love how Crystal develops a story that keeps readers wanting more!
Emma (Brendon’s sister from Tempting) and Brendon’s friend, Hunter, are roommates now, and Emma wants him. Hunter wants her, too, but knows he can’t have her. After all, Brendon’s just told Hunter that he needs to look out for her, in a brotherly, protective kind of way, not in a romantic, physical kind of way. But, forced proximity, chemistry and all that jazz, have different ideas, and eventually, the two are unable to resist their pull to each other. Can they pull off a hidden relationship? Should they?
Although not my favorite in the Inked Hearts series, it’s nonetheless, a great installment. Hunter and Emma have obvious chemistry that once consummated, is combustible. Hunter and Emma both have lots of demons that they have to work through, though, and their journey is not without its obstacles.I really liked them together, I just wish they had gotten on the same page a little sooner, as the angst and will they, won’t they, should they was a little wearing after awhile. Aside from that little thing, though, Breaking the Rules is a sexy, substantive read.
Love Crystal Kaswell. She is an amazing author and she strikes five star gold again with an emotional and super sexy story.
Crystal Kaswell knows how to ink her way into the hearts and souls of her readers!
Talk about emotional wreckage!
This book not just your typical Friends Little Sister Romance.
Oh no! It’s a long winding road of guilt, betrayal, sacrifice, longing, fear, forgiveness, love, ongoing recovery and finding that one true friend. * I feel out of breath, and all I did was type that!*
Hunter and Emma THE perfectly imperfect pair!
Their sizzling connection, ( I do mean sizzle! * fans face * ) fabulous banter, and friendship make them a special pair of characters I was head over Kindle for from the very start!
Such a beautifully broken, sincere, well written- heart of hearts story. With tension-filled moments and plenty of frustration but still had me smiling throughout, showcasing the Inked Hearts Crew at their *ahem* finest.
Reading ‘Breaking The Rules’ has put me in the mood to go back and revisit past books and also very excited and curious about Wes’s upcoming story! I cannot wait to see what happens with him!
An absolute MUST read!
I’ve been waiting for Emma’s story and I am not disappointed. It has all the hot sizzle that you expect with a Crystal Kaswell Inked Hearts story, but she’s added some real feel elements and storylines to this one. Emma and Hunter are each fighting their own demons, but when they end up as temporary roommates, things quickly reach boiling between them – despite how wrong it is for them to be together – or is it wrong after all? You don’t want to miss this one. And love the introduction to some new players. Maybe more Inked Hearts on the way?
I was so excited for Emma and Hunter’s book. Hunter is fresh out of rehab and Emma is coming off a recent, not properly dealt with, sexual assault. Both possible triggers. Having had these specific triggers I felt it was very accurately and beautifully portrayed/written. Raw and real. It added to the character depth and development. I love this group of friends! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I loved Emma and Hunter. The secrets, the hurt, the sacrifice. Emma and Hunter are very likable and you can’t help want to see Emma heal this bad boys heart. Do they get over their pasts to find their future?
I loved Emma and Hunter so much, they weren’t perfect but they clicked.
Rule #1 Hands off my best friend’s, kid sister
Rule #2 See rule number one
Rule #3 Seriously, don’t even think about touching Emma
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I just love brother’s best friend love stories! Hunter and Emma are two broken souls. When Hunter needs a place to stay, he ends up staying at his best friend’s who is also Emma’s brother. Soon Emma is also living there and her brother has told them both to look out for each other while he is out of town. This book has is all – friendship, secrets, lots of feels all while trying to do right by their friend/brother and fighting past and present. I loved Hunter and Emma’s story!!!
This is the next installment in the “Inked Heart” series, but it can be read as a standalone. Emma is the sister of Brendan, one of the co-owners of the Inked Hearts Tattoo shop. Hunter is Brendan’s friend, who has just gotten out of rehab and as Brendan is going on vacation, he offers to let him to stay at his apartment and work at the shop. The heat between Emma and Hunter is palpable, but Emma is off limits as she was his best friends “baby” sister. The beginning and end of this book were great and flowed really well, but I felt the middle section to be a little slow and brought the enjoyment level down a little for me – but not by much! Thoroughly recommend both this series and this book.
We have to plow through the ugly to create something beautiful. Breaking the Rules is the roadway to something beautiful. Kaswell takes an unpredictable environment and keeps it real. Emotions are messy. Hearts get broken. Mistakes get made, but it’s the heart we risk that can heal us in the end. Love at it’s most tragic is when it shows the greatness of it’s power. Through empathy and faith love helps us learn to heal.