From NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan, comes a brand new series where second chances don’t come often, and overcoming an unexpected loss means breaking everything you knew.Violet Knight fell for Cameron at the wrong time. And when he left, she thought her life was over. But then, after the worst happened, she truly understood what that phrase meant. Now, he’s not ready for a second chance, … second chance, and she’s not offering one. Though given that their families have been forced together after losing one of their own, she knows there’s no turning back. Not this time. Not again. Not when it comes to Cameron.
Cameron Connolly never wanted to hurt Violet, but there were reasons he had to leave all those years ago—not that she’d believe him if he told her what they were. He not only left her, he also left his foster brothers. Honestly, Cam didn’t want to come back to Denver to help run his father’s failing brewery. But when it comes to his brothers, he knows he’ll find a way to make it work. Perhaps he’ll even earn Violet’s forgiveness and face the connection they both thought long forgotten in the process. Because he wanted her then, but now he knows he needs her. He just hope she needs me.
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Breaking Without You is the first book in Carrie’s new series, this book starts out very sad, Carrie brings to light a very difficult issue that might be a trigger for people who have dealt with suicide.
Violet Knight is an environmental chemist working at the University of Colorado at Denver. Violet loves her job, what she doesn’t love is having to work with Lynn who is now married to Violets ex-husband. Awkward!! Violet, her sister Sienna and Harmony just lost their best friend to suicide. Violet was the one to find her, whats worse than that Allison didn’t leave a note, no one knew why and Violet was having a very hard time with that, she needed answers. Why didn’t they know Allison was having problems? Why did she think she couldn’t ask for help? The cherry on this whole sundae is that Cameron, her high school/college boyfriend was back in town after walking out of her life without saying goodbye or even giving a reason why.
Cameron Connolly came back to Denver with his younger brother Dillon who he has been raising for the past 7 years. They came back to try and save the bar he now owned with his other two brothers Aiden (Cameron’s twin) and Brendan their older brother. Cameron, Aiden and Brendan were adopted by Jack and Rose Connolly and they owned this bar, now they both had past on the bar was the boys. The relationship with his brothers is a complicated one and slow to get better, there are a lot of hurt feelings and anger about Cameron taking off to help their drug addicted birth mother. Cameron couldn’t regret going to California because Dillon out of the deal. Seeing Violet again was messing with his mind as well. He still loved her and knowing he really screwed up with her he wasn’t sure he could mend that bridge.
Breaking without you deals with a lot of complicated feelings and situations. This second chance romance is not a whimsical tale though.
Mmmm where do I start. Don’t get me wrong I love Carrie Ann Ryan’s book but this one was hard for me to read. It wasn’t the content of the book but more the thrown together way it was written that I found hard to follow. Not explaining myself at all. I felt that even though it was a shame and tragedy that violets friend committed suicide and it would impact on all who knew her I just felt that this book was more about Violet, her psyche and how she functioned as a person rather than allowing the other characters to gel with her, allowing the other characters to shine through. I wanted to read more about Cameron’s family dynamics as a bit of back story, how and why he lost touch with Brendan and Aiden, what the relationship was like with their adoptive parents but it felt lacking when it went straight into Violet’s story and Violet’s point of view. Will I read the other books in this series………Yes to see how the author tackles the other women. Although I didn’t enjoy this book as much as her other books and it’s always hard to read something that may be personal to the author it wasn’t a book I enjoyed. I found myself skimming over Violets part to find out more about Cameron.
A beautifully heartbreaking emotional journey filled with so much passion and longing…. a truly brilliant look at life after loss and the heartwarming thrill of the possibility of a second chance. I cried so hard during and fell so hard for these amazing charters and look forward to seeing them again.
This is a great start to a new series. With the first chapter you get your heart broken and then it starts to heal slowly throughout the rest of the book. Violet sees her old love at the funeral of her best friend and the flame is relit. These characters are so good. The Connolly brothers are at odds because Cameron made a difficult choice and moved away with no explanation. Slowly the brothers work their way back to each other, as Cameron is trying to get back Violet. A wonderful love story among all the other drama and life that is going happening. Great introduction to all the characters we will come to love.
5 SO MANY FEELS STARS!! OMG….What a great start for a new series. Violet and Cameron’s story hit all the emotion buttons and you can’t put it down. Second chance romance stories are one of my favorites, so this book was a definite read for me. Carrie Ann Ryan is a master with her storytelling…..you definitely need to read this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Breaking without You is the first in a new series by Carrie Ann Ryan. You’re just in time! This book is set in Colorado and first up is Violet & Cameron. You might remember Violet as one of the sisters to Mace in the Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series. Cameron is a new character for Carrie Ann Ryan readers.
Cameron and Violet were high school sweethearts. Then one day he disappeared. That was extremely hard for Violet and she never thought she’d see him again. Until … her best friends funeral and there he was.
Cameron thought he’d never be back in his hometown but here he is … permanently. There’s Violet. His first an only love. She could never forgive him, could she?
For me, Violet was a bit much. She was so in her head all the time she didn’t take the time to look what was going on around her often. I think that really hindered her character. She was stuck and couldn’t find a way out. Thankfully she’ll have Cameron to help her with this issue.
These two definitely had issues and then at one point in the story there was a tiny conflict and Violet totally over reacted. I just had to shake my head. Can’t have your cake and eat it to, Violet!
These characters are endearing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the story. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the other two couples.
Breaking Without You is Book 1 in Carrie Ann Ryan’s new Fractured Connections series. Even though this is a Montgomery spin-off series, it’s not necessary to have read those stories although I enjoyed the cameo appearances by some of the characters.
This was an emotional story with some very heavy topics but the author did a great job intertwining such a tragedy with a reacquainted love. I adored Cameron and Violet and look forward to the next book in the series!
When tragedy strikes Violet is left reeling, full of guilt and wondering what she could have done differently to change the outcome. In the midst of the pain it also brought Cameron, the man who broke her heart years ago, back into her life.
When Cameron left town, it was with the best of intentions and he regrets the pain he caused not only Violet but also his foster brothers Brendon and Aiden. He has now returned to Denver to help run the family business, to try and repair the fractured relationship with his brothers and have a second chance with Violet.
This is an emotional story love, family and second chances. Cameron redeemed himself with the way he handled both Violet and his brothers and Violet has to heal not only from what happened in the past with Cameron, but her recent tragedy as well. It was great to meet Cameron’s brothers and I can’t wait for their stories.
This is the beginning of a series by Carrie Ann Ryan. Story one centers around Violet and Cameron. These have a history. Some mistakes are made and miscommunication happened. The reason that has their paths crossing again is the passing of a friend, Allison, who ironically was once the girlfriend of Cameron’s twin brother. A passing that leaves family and friends confused, hurting, and missing her. Carrie Ann handles the subject of this story line with a lot of compassion and understanding and at the same time she keeps it real. It is raw, moving, and heart wrenching. You might want to have tissues handy for a few scenes. We’re taken on a the emotional journey of brokenness at the start and guided along the path to healing. The way Carrie Ann has written this you are not left wondering what the characters are thinking nor feeling. It is a wonderful start to this series and I can’t wait to see what Carrie Ann has for in the next 2 stories.
Violet and Cameron dated when they were younger. He left, and they didn’t see each other for awhile. Violets’s friend dies, and she starts spending more time with Cameron. She gets bad migraines and Cameron takes care of her. They are dating, Cameron explained and apologized for what happened back then. They go on dates, they hang out at the bar. They start a bar hop pool tournament. They have a wings night at the bar. Some girl flirts with Cameron, Violet freaks and leaves. Cameron follows her to her brother Mace’s house to grovel. They talk and both admit they were wrong, and they apologize to the other one.
Up next is stories about 2 of his brothers, and their bartender. Also Violet’s 3 friends. The next 2 stories start in this book. Book 4 of the series was a suprise, didn’t think about this couple getting together.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
While being a romance book and also heavy subject matter, Carrie Ann Ryan does a fantastic job with the first book in this new series. Violet is a relatable character. I could feel her pain on the pages. I felt for her in ways I didn’t expect. She suffers a huge loss and has to come to terms with it. She also has to deal with Cameron coming back into her life. Cameron isn’t a perfect man. But, he is a great man in this story. He redeems himself more than once in this book. I can’t wait to see what Carrie Ann has in store for her next book!
Loved it!! Honestly, this is the best book I have read in a long time. It has everything I love when I’m reading romances – emotion, fun, likable characters, a good pace, great supporting characters, giggles & heat. Cameron & Violet were fantastic. While I’m looking forward to the future books in the Connolly Brothers series, I have to admit to hoping that Dillon gets his chance to shine. I loved what he brought to this story.
Breaking Without You was a bit of a misnomer in that both Violet and Cameron thought they had already been broken and that they would break again. Nothing was further than the truth with these two strong people that had the support of family and friends (most of the time) and when they didn’t, they knew they needed to survive and be strong. Reconnecting only made them better, survivors and warriors of time & life lessons. I connected strongly with their struggles, that how emotional the book was. Another fabulous book!
Mild spoiler…..
And now thanks to the author and this book I can never go into my local produce department without thinking of Cameron and this book. As they sell gummy worms in huge containers along side the fruit.
This newest release in a new series starts with a bang! An emotional second chance romance read that you can literally feel the characters pain as they try to start a new beginning together. I loved Violet and Cameron’s connection it was sweet and sexy at the same time. This is a definite must read from an author who doesn’t disappoint!
What an emotional story. An ode to bereavement, grief and the “why’s?” Violet and Cameron navigate the grief and at the same time come to terms with their past. I received an advanced copy of this book and freely leave this honest review.
Violet and Cameron are a great pairing. So the story starts with the lose of a friend and Violet isn’t sure how to deal with it. She can’t find closure because there seems to be no reason for it and no explanation is left for anyone. Cameron has returned home after being gone for years leaving violet and his brothers behind. He had family things he felt he had to deal with but didn’t give others a chance to understand his reason for leaving. He is back to help turn around the family bar with his two brothers. He sees Violet and his feelings for are still the same. Violet doesn’t want to fall for Cameron again because she doesn’t want to risk her heart another time with him. Slowly these two start to find each other and past reasons for Cameron leaving are explained. It takes them some work but all real love does. This is a great story and I look forward to the rest of this series. Can be read as a stand alone and there is a HEA at the end.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Carrie Ann Ryan is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.
There is a lot of emotional pain in this book, starting with the suicide of Violet’s best-friend Allison but it also extends to the loss of Jack, Cameron’s adoptive father and the bar Jack left to him and his brothers.
For Violet, losing her best-friend has not only triggered her migraines but also a grief so intense it borders on depression. Her sister Siena and other friend Harmony are also feeling the loss but not to the same degree. Harmony has been through this kind of grief before when she lost her husband unexpectedly.
Cameron and his brothers have inherited a bar that has been operating in the red for far too long. Brendan the oldest is the money man, business is his thing and he will start coming up with ideas to make this venture successful. Aiden is a Michelin Chef, he plans on adding unique items to the menu to attract new clientele. Cameron is Aiden’s twin and has been away in more than one way for a long time. He walked away from Violet and his brothers when his birth mother called. Eleven year old Dillon, their younger brother, whom they had known nothing about was part of why he stayed away. For the brothers bringing the bar back to life will be a tribute to their adoptive parents, Jack and Rose and hopefully Dillon will be a part of this and their family.
A very long road for everyone, as this story progresses. Concentrating mostly on Violet, who is the most affected by everything. Her relationship with Cameron resumes but they are different people now and we get to join them on this journey.
Plenty of laughter, lots of tears, some sizzle and hope for the future.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Part of me thinks Carrie needs to take a break lol but then if she did that, we wouldn’t have so many awesome books to read. So, selfishly, please carry on Carrie.
Breaking with out you is:
Second chance romance.
Exes to Lovers.
Emotional.
A new beginning.
Healing.
A start to a brand-new series.
AND IT HAS A LOT OF BEER!
Keep the tissue box handy because this was a sad story! However it was still a really good story.
Possible SPOILERS
Violet is having a tough time…she was only married a short time before she and her husband divorced. He remarried to Violet’s collegue so she still has to see him.
Things get tougher when her best friend dies leaving behind a lot of unanswered questions about why..
When Violet sees her ex long time sweetheart Cameron Connolly at Allison’s funeral after he walked away from her without so much as a goodbye the hurt and heartache is layering on but Violet has learned one thing from Allison’s death and that is…….