I’ve always preferred my life simple and commitment-free. It’s why I live off the grid and do my own thing.
But when I run into my best friend’s widow, I realize there’s one commitment I’ve failed to keep… the one I made to the battle buddy who saved my life during a time I’ve fought hard to forget.
But I’m not the only one having a problem with promises… one, too. It’s the one she’s holding onto no matter what the cost…
But when our paths cross again, can she let go of her secrets and allow me to honor my own?
Set in Dax and Harlow’s world as seen in Everything She Ever Wanted, Breaking the Rules features Sawyer Villier and is the third book in A Different Kind of Love series that readers have called “moving,” “riveting,” and “emotional.”
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An emotionally gripping story of grief, guilt, and the healing power of love. FIVE CHEERING STARS!
Are you searching for a book that will grab your emotions and touch your heart? Discover Breaking the Rules–a compelling story of grief, guilt, and the healing power of love. (WARNING: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!)
Guilt and secrets abound in this extraordinary “friends to lovers” romance. Alma’s husband Drew, a former Marine, struggles with severe PTSD, but he makes her promise to keep his worsening condition and violence toward her a secret from everyone. When his violence forces her to leave him one month before his suicide, his family blames her for his death. She also blames herself, even though she had to leave for her own safety and that of her unborn baby.
Sawyer Villier, Drew’s fellow Marine and best friend, experienced his own PTSD and tries to help Drew. But Sawyer harbors secret feelings for Alma, and Drew ends their friendship when he sees Sawyer hugging Alma. Feeling guilty, Sawyer refuses Alma’s call for help as Drew’s PTSD escalates into violence. When Drew kills himself a month later, Sawyer is overwhelmed with guilt, believing a romantic relationship with his best friend’s widow would be “breaking the rules.”
Alma gives birth to a baby boy (Tyler) on the day of Drew’s funeral. One year later, she runs into Sawyer at the cemetery and they rekindle their friendship. When he finds her living in a run-down apartment near Los Angeles, he convinces her to move to Taos, New Mexico, where he builds “earthships”–self-sustainable homes off the grid. Eager for a fresh start, she agrees. I loved the author’s descriptions of the earthships (yes, they actually exist!), historic Taos, and the breathtaking scenery in that part of New Mexico.
Rules are definitely broken as the friendship between Sawyer and Alma grows into something stronger. Guilt and secrets get in the way, as does interference from Alma’s meddling in-laws (Drew’s parents), who try to take little Tyler away from her. (He’s absolutely adorable, by the way.) Suspense builds until secrets are revealed, leading to more drama before it all culminates in a perfect HEA.
This book includes many friends and family members from the other books in the series, which I haven’t read but soon will. You’ll find a couple of steamy sex scenes and limited use of the f-word. Kudos to the author for dealing with sensitive issues like PTSD, spousal abuse and suicide. My only complaint: the book needs another round of proofreading to correct typos and punctuation errors. Such errors would normally bring my rating down a notch, but this compelling story deserves nothing less than five stars overall. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
4.5 stars
It’s not always easy to keep those promises we make
I found Liz Durano through the first book in this series, Everything She Ever Wanted. I adore how her characters are so very human, full of doubts, occasionally selfish and prone to make mistakes. I’ll be honest in that I didn’t remember Sawyer from ESEW, though it is a couple of years since I read the book. However the blurb for this sounded so intriguing that I had to find the time to read it.
Adversity in Afghanistan made Drew and Sawyer best friends. Drew even saved Sawyer’s life when they were caught in a IED explosion. Along with his wife, Alma, he saved it again when Sawyer was struggling to come to terms with his injuries and loss of career. Sadly Drew didn’t allow Sawyer to help him when he needed it, he was too proud and wanted everyone to keep seeing him as the hero. Sawyer made a promise that should anything ever happen to Drew he would look out for Alma, but he wants to be so much more than a friend, after all he saw her first. Can Alma and Sawyer let go of the past and find happiness together, or will the judgement of others prove too much?
The opening scene of this book was very unexpected, and in some ways made it harder to read the story that followed. It almost made it feel as though Alma was cheating with Sawyer, which normally would be a negative BUT this was also an issue for the Hero and it made me empathise with him even more.
This is a story of learning to accept what we can not change, to forgive the mistakes of others as well as ourselves and to acknowledge that we can only do our best with hand we have been dealt. It dealt with some very difficult issues, including PTSD in veterans, in a very sympathetic manner.
I love how real both the characters AND situations feel in this author’s books. Both Alma and Sawyer were relatable, likeable and believable characters. Some of the decisions they made could have been better, but who couldn’t say the same of themself? Whilst this wasn’t an angst or issue free read, it did have quite a gentle and relaxed feel to it. The story line was engaging, as were the characters, the pace was good and held my attention and the writing flowed smoothly, all adding up to one very good read.
You could feel the attraction and chemistry between them. Whilst, in some ways, their relationship progressed fairly rapidly, they had known and been friends with each other for 6 or 7 years, so this didn’t feel to much like a case of insta-love.
There were some really nice little twists and turns along the way. I was really surprised with what and who nearly derailed their relationship. Though again it felt a very believable part of the story. It was lovely to see more of Dax, Harlow and their children though I now need Todd’s story before I can walk away from Taos and it’s inhabitants.
Back in the Taos community,this book brings out all the pain and difficulties experienced by war weary warriors and the trials their families suffer. Breaking the Rules may in some ways be more extreme than most stories, but there are those who have had to live through similar experiences. In line with the other books in this series, I found that once I started reading, I was unable to put this book down. My heart ached for Alma and the choices she had to make to protect the memory of her husband, but Sawyer’s pain is just as real. When the opportunity presents itself, Sawyer realises that he has the answer for his deceased best friend’s widow, that in fact brings not only healing, but a whole new way of life, bringing both of them a new lease of life. The story is emotional and well written and includes interesting facets of living off the grid. Although this novel is part of a series and characters from previous books appear in this one too, it is nevertheless a stand-alone and has a positive and happy ending. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Such an amazing book! I absolutely loved Sawyer & Alma. What a roller coaster ride of emotions. This book had it all. Romance, heartbreak, dealing with the side effects of PTSD & finding a way to cope, survive & come out stronger on the other side.
I was completely hooked on this story from the first page. Sawyer and Alma are so real in their emotions and actions. They are flawed but they are working hard to be the best version of themselves they can be. Great book!!
Awesome