“I’d wanted the fairy tale, and somewhere along the line I’d forgotten that everyone in a fairy tale paid a price.”Jesse: Four months after Jessica walked away from me, I returned to find that she’d removed herself from my life as much as possible—even from her art studio and storefront on the first floor of the SAFE Security building. She couldn’t run far since she was carrying my child, and one … my child, and one night of playing nice landed me in her bed. While it didn’t repair the broken love between us, it renewed my determination to win her back.
Jessica: Ending up in the back of Jesse’s truck while he was on vacation wasn’t what I’d intended, but it gave us time to talk in a way we hadn’t before. Now that he understood I wasn’t a submissive, maybe we had a chance to be friends and co-parents? I just wish I could stop yearning for his touch.
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This review is very difficult to write without spoilers. I do have to assume you have read “Forging Love” and “Drawing on Love,” though, because you have to start at the beginning. These books are not freestanding. “Drawing on Love” is told from Jessica’s POV. Broken Love is mixed, but at least 2/3 of it is Jesse’s POV. When we last saw Jesse and Jessica, she was pregnant, he was thrilled, and then she ended the relationship. In “Broken Love,” despite Jesse’s heartache (and Jessica’s, too, although she doesn’t really want to admit to that), both of them decide they should try to be friends so that they can be good parents to the baby. That’s about as much as can be said about the plot without spoilers.
Jesse’s perspective provides us with a different take on the relationship, and a very welcome view of how a man, or at least this man, copes with the trauma of his broken heart and his joy at becoming a father. He still believes and hopes that he and Jessica can get back together, especially as he realizes he really hadn’t been listening when Jessica said she wasn’t submissive, even as she liked many of the things they had done together, especially shibari.
I also like that in the SAFE Security series, her BDSM relationships (not just Jesse and Jessica’s) are not typical D/s. She shows that there are more options available and more ways to have kink in your life.
As always, Michele Zurlo gives us an in-depth look at the characters and weaves a story that is compelling and page-turning. I can’t wait for the final installment, due out July 29th. This was so good I read it in one day.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Learning who you are and what you want is never easy. They want each other, but can they find a way to make that happen?
This is book two of the series. I have not read book one and did fine, as I was able to pick up all the essentials fairly quickly. That being said, it might have been easier to catch up if I read them in order.
This is an intense romance story with strong elements of BDSM. The story is very well written, but I am not going to call it easy to read. The story can be rather emotional at times which might encourage you to put it down for a spell, but the characters are such that you will come back and carry on. I did really like their efforts to communicate and find a common ground that they can work from. They still have some work to do, but that is what book three is for. Looking forward to it.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
This is the 2nd book in this trilogy. this series tells about Jesse and Jessica. this story will keep your attention throughout.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I had a great time reading this book the author brings well developed and engaging and characters that have plenty of chemistry throughout the pages. The flow of the storyline was great.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
BROKEN LOVE is the second book in the Mercenary Hearts series. This series needs to be read in the order of release. This is a mini-series within the Safe Security series.
Jesse and Jessica are taking the steps backwards to move forwards. Agreeing to be friends so that they can co-parent and truly listening to one another could possibly be the steps needed to build the relationship they both ultimately want.
This “episode” had more of the warm fuzzies. That’s not to say that there wasn’t plenty of trauma and drama – there was! – but Jessie and Jessica are working their “us” relationship and that’s what I am rooting for.
I’m looking forward to where their love will take them – and us – that cliffhanger was a doozy! I know that as soon as the next book is available, I’ll be jumping it to the top of my read pile.
My final thought: I love that Michele Zurlo takes the time explain that every BDSM relationship is between two individuals. Each one is unique and there is no right way or wrong way to have that relationship. Each one is a sundae of your choosing…. some want to start with vanilla ice cream and just a few sprinkles or nuts, while others go for everything on the smorgasbord! Each couple chooses what goes on their sundae. The goals are always love, communication, and devotion. Isn’t that what every couple wants (with or without the BDSM)?
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: BROKEN LOVE
Series: Mercenary Hearts #2
Category /Genre: Romantic Suspense, Erotic
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC copy / errors excused
Received from: Michele Zurlo
Ends in a cliffhanger. This is book 2 of 3 and I would recommend reading this series in order. This is a wonderful story with great characters and has left me needing to read book 3.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This Series Delivers!!
Book 2 of the Mercenary Hearts series does not disappoint . Oh my, how I love these two characters! Jesse and Jessica’s story continue and what a roller coaster ride. Told mostly from Jesse’s POV, he is realizing what Jessica has been saying all along and what he and she are willing to do for love. The book flows beautifully, has a surprise here and there, and tugs at your heart. I am fast becoming a huge fan of Michele Zurlo and am so looking forward to more from these two characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I missed the first book in Mercenary Hearts. I should have started with the first book so it’s one I’ll have to back to read. This is a continuation of Jessica and Jesse’s story. Jess is a Dom and believes that Jessica is a submissive but she’s not sure she is. This is about Jess and Jessica together and then trying to live apart. This is such a roller coaster of emotions for them because they really love each other. Should start with book one before you read this story. I enjoyed this story and will continue the series even though I’m not much of a cliffhanger reader. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sometimes, what you think you want, it is not the best thing for you.
Making compromises can mame a big difference in your happiness.
Jesse and Jessica will try to build a new kind of relation.
I just loved how both Jess and Jessica worked there differences and I just hate Dean.
The book ends in a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Full of emotion and emotional conflict
I definitely think this book is not a good stand-alone. You really need to read the previous volumes first. Jesse and Jessica struggled through the previous book despite being in love and that struggle continues in this book.
Emotionally tense and full of emotional conflict, well written, continuing with supporting characters that have complex relationships with the main characters, great chemistry, lots of health and other challenges that can bring a couple together or tear them apart.
WOW! Such an emotional story!
First, I must mention that this is the second book in Mercenary Hearts series and really should not be read alone. I had not read the first 2 books before I started reading this one. The books in order are Forging Love, Drawing on Love, Broken Love (this one) and ending with Shards of Love. I found that there seemed to be a lot of references to the first 2 books and I did find that I was missing something and could not connect with the book. So I decided to buy the first two and read them so I was caught up before starting this read over. And of course, because it was a great story, I quickly bought the last book so I could finish their story.
Jessica and Jesse’s story was so emotional and it is hard to put into words how I felt reading it. Jesse is a Dom through and through and he loves Jessica who does not believe she is submissive even though she loves him. Jessica comes into the relationship with a whole lot of baggage. Because she does not believe she is submissive, she feels she is unable to give Jesse what she believes he needs and deserves. This book is their story of being together and now trying to be apart. I really do not want to say more as it will give the story away. But Jessica and Jesse love each other and the emotional roller coaster they travel is just so emotional for the reader.
I strongly recommend you read this series if you enjoy this genre. Michele Zurlo is an amazing storyteller. You will not be disappointed, but as I said at the start, you will find much more enjoyment of this book if you read the other titles in the series first.
Jesse is starting to understand that he was not listening to what she was telling him. She is not a submissive and needs to have control in her life. This is the story of them working through some of there problems along with Jessica being pregnant with Jesse’s baby. Very good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So…this is book 2 of the Mercenary Hearts Trilogy. You have to read the prequel and book 1 before you read this one. It is not a standalone.
Jessica and Jesse are working for a relationship as Jessica is pregnant. There is a lot of compromise and a few surprises. I liked that Jesse actually started thinking about what was best for Jessica. And Jessica has finally made Jesse understand that she is not a submissive. This ends with a HFN. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is part two in the mercenary hearts series … man I love Jesse. So many new twists in part two that it’s just delicious. So in book one Jesse and Jessica call it quits because Jessica is NOT a submissive. These two people are magnetic though so staying apart is not an option. I really need part three because …. that cliffhanger.
What did I like? The story was well formed in part one but part two shows you how love can change you. I think Jesse learned a lot about himself being apart from Jessica. This book holds true that love can make you want to be a better person and I think they both learned some valuable things.
Would I buy or recommend? Yes. This is a wonderful series, and it’s really grown on me. I’m devouring more books by this author than any other so far this year. Exceptional writing and just amazing characters.
Thoughts for the author? Please let book three be the next read. I really hate cliffhangers and I’m addicted. I would love the book of her sister Brea or how they all met. Thanks to Booksprout for a copy to read and give my honest opinion.
Part of the Mercenary Hearts Trilogy, this book tells the story of Jesse and Jessica’s breakup. Jesse is a Dom and even though they love each other, Jessica is just not submissive. She tries, but she is just so messed up from her childhood that being with someone who wants to control her is not something she can do, even if she is having his baby. Besides, she loves him enough to let him find his happiness somewhere else. Jesse though, furious at her, will never just stop loving his woman. Another good Zurlo read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OK, Broken Love is book 2 in the “A SAFE Security Trilogy: Jesse and Jessica’s Book”. In my review of Book 1, I said it was Breathtaking, well Book 2 takes my breathe away and I don’t know if, I am breathing yet! LOL Michelle Zurlo has written another suspenseful, keep us guessing book, exploring the options of a BDSM relationship, lots of love and steamy HOT sexy scenes ! The characters are described in depth and the storyline is filled with insights into relationships, self-understanding and learning that one can grow and obtain a better relationship then ever imagined. Now, if Jesse and Jessica can accept these revelations, one needs to read this book and find out! The story is compelling and a page turner. It is not a stand alone and I would recommend reading “Forging Love” – (a prequel) and Book 1 – Drawing on Love to have an amazing reading experience. The story ends in a cliff hanger and I am anxiously awaiting Book 3 – Shards of Love. How will this love story end? I have no idea but I know Michelle Zurlo will steer us to a safe harbor.
I love Jesse and Jessica’s story and it was an amazing read!
The title here says it all, this love was broken. This is book two in the trilogy that is Jesse and Jessica’s love story. They ended the previous story at odds, not connected with each other, and did what was best for them. This story is about paying attention, looking at things, and yourself, objectively, and connecting your feelings and your reality. The cover of the book shows that as well, whereas the previous cover was half-drawing, projecting what you see, this is the picture, seeing what is really there
Jesse finally sees what Jessica was trying to tell him all along, if not with words, then with actions. Jessica realizes that she is giving into knee-jerk reactions, rather than assessing and reacting for what thing really are. Both Jesse and Jessica are still acting on their feelings, but this time, they are truly considering the others perspective as well. It makes their connection all the better, and their love all the stronger, for it
There were some twists here I didn’t expect, and I was wholly on board with Jesse’s reaction. There were some circumstances that made me hurt for Jessica, but she showed her strength and pulled through. And there was such joy and happiness in places, my smile was wide. Then, this story ended, and my tears freely flowed, as they are now as I write this.
As I wait for the third story, I can’t help but wonder at how this will all come together, but know, I will be there to see how it does
Just when I thought it was safe to continue Jesse and Jessica’s story. OMG, Ms. Zurlo has written a fabulous part two to their story and it’s told through Jesse’s eyes. The story is very well written and will having you cheering for this couple and leave you gasping for air as well.
Jesse, who loves Jessica more than life, is living his life on the edge since she walked out of his life. When his friends finally make him slow down is when he starts to realize he can’t go on living life as he was, if for no other reason than he has a baby on the way. But when life throws him an unexpected twist, he becomes hopeful and grasps it with both hands and works on get Jessica back in his life where she belongs. But will Jessica take the chance again? Can she ever be enough for Jesse?
This is an amazing storyline with lots of fun, tears and suspense. I am not sure I liked the ending but loving Ms. Zurlo’s writing style and trusting her judgment, I am anxiously awaiting book 3 – the final chapter in Jessica and Jessa’s story to see how things turn out. 2 Thumbs Up for a job well done and this reader Highly Recommends this trio and it’s prequel which are a part of the phenomenal SAFE Security series.
Read For Author:
If I could give this book more stars I would – I think Trilogy for Jesse and Jessica is beyond Outstanding. Michele Zurlo has touched my heart with these characters while reading this book I could not put it down. I spaced dinner last night because it had me so captivated. I was cheering for them as individuals and as a couple. That’s an incredible book when you get so emotionally involved at the end of a book you have tears running down your face. Michele best book ever!!!! I highly encourage every to read the Trilogy and entire SAFE Series for that matter.