He thought he protected her future. But she never escaped her past. After seven years of silence, Jax barrels into my life like he never left. He wants me back; but I’m not the same girl he kissed good-bye. The spirited, passionate girl he first fell in love with no longer exists. I live as a shadow of my former self, a shell of damaged dreams and unfulfilled potential–too broken for second … of damaged dreams and unfulfilled potential–too broken for second chances. Too broken for him.
But Jax is a hot, confident, and fearless soldier. He may carry around old hurts and wear new scars but at his core, he’s a fighter.
I just wish he wasn’t fighting for me. Or my heart.
Genre: Military Romance
– Full length novel (70,000 + words)
– His/Her Dual POV
– Contains sensitive topics: #MeToo movement, PTSD awareness, Real Fiction
– HEA
– 3 books in this series
The Kane Brothers Series is now complete!
1. Rescuing Broken (Evie & Jax)
2. Recovering Beauty (Taylor & Carter)
3. Reclaiming Brave (Sierra & Denver)
Reviews:
“Oh my..this book made my heart clench, made me tear up, and made me believe in second chances with your one true love! Once I started Rescuing Broken I had a heck of a time putting it down. The storyline pulled me in and HARD. I found it to be sweet, beautiful, heart breaking, and wonderfully, sweetly romantic.” – Marie
“One of the most heartfelt modern-day romances you’ll read this year.” – Skrykespeare
”Tragic yet beautiful” – Suzanne
“Don’t miss this second chance romance!!” – Alexis Alexandris
“Their story is perfect and proves that if you’re meant to be with someone, no matter how many years pass by, love will always conquer all!” -Juls
“Rescuing Broken” is a heartbreaking love story that tugs at your heartstrings.” – Erin
“I absolutely loved the strength and resilience in Evie & Jax.” – Danielle
“This is a beautiful story of love, acceptance, forgiveness and facing truths.” – AllededlyLisa1
“This was a great read. In this time of #metoo it’s nice to read a story that acknowledges that it’s real and that it happens.” – Michelle
”Emotional journey of coming home again.” – Tracy – Spunky N Sassy Blog
Author Biography
Gina Azzi writes Contemporary Romance (new adult, military, second chance, sports) with relatable, genuine characters experiencing real life love, friendships, and obstacles. She is the author of The Kane Brothers Series, The College Pact Series (relaunching Summer 2019) and Corner of Ocean and Bay. All of her books can be read as stand-alones.
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She’s a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Connect with her on social media or through ginaazzi.com.
One Last Chance – a spinoff from The Kane Brothers series – releases March 25, 2019.
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This second-chance military romance book followed high school sweethearts Evie and Jax. Jax decided to join the army, doing several tours overseas after high school instead of following Evie to NY/West Point together. As if that weren’t enough, another traumatic event occurs (for each of them, actually). And seven years later, they up in their small southern town (where they grew up) and run into each other.
The characters felt real, and I liked how they interacted with each other- pushing boundaries and retreating (based upon their shared and separate histories). The dual first person narrative allowed the reader to know what’s going on in each character’s mind (though one character is more forthcoming than the other), so elements of dramatic irony are woven throughout the storyline.
As a glutton for second chance books, I enjoyed disappearing into Evie and Jax’s world. The military aspect was there, but I wouldn’t call it a typical military romance per se. Since this is the first book in a series entitled “The Kane Brothers,” I would assume that Jax’s brothers Carter and Denver will each get their own book. I liked these secondary characters in this book, so I’ll end up reading their stories too, once they’re written and released.
“Rescuing Broken” is a heartbreaking love story that tugs at your heartstrings. At the heart of the story is the need to overcome wrongs and learn to move forward with what’s left. I’m at once in awe of the strength of character Evie presents, thankful for the service our military personnel, and outraged by some crappy behavior!
The story is told in a back and forth style, chapters switching between Evie and Jax. High school sweethearts who thought they had it all planned out…Jax ended it to make himself better as an enlisted solder. Evie planned to go to West Pointe, but instead stayed in the same small town and found herself facing demons and then her ex-boyfriend as he recovers from an injury. The plot twists and turns with lots of great foreshadowing, but draws you in and keeps you in the dark as the characters discover tidbits about each other along the way. Despite thinking I knew what might be the catalyst for some of Evie’s behavior, there were surprises even at the end. The surprises were in line with the supporting characters though, and flowed well.
Our characters Evie and Jax are amazing. Jax for his military service and Evie for her survival in life. The author did a great job of writing their personalities and struggles and joys. I rooted for them, was confused when not all the facts were known by each character. The supporting characters of Evie’s friends and family; Jax’s brothers and sister; everyone in town made the story ring true and I can’t wait to see if Jax’s brothers or Evie’s brother get their own stories!
While we don’t see any steamy sexy action from Evie and Jax in this book, it’s ok. It would have ruined the amazing story. But they do share a great chemistry and their kisses show that they have all the right moves when the time is right.
The author did a great job of drawing me into her characters. I wanted to know right away what was wrong with Evie, and how would Jax help her. Their actions and words rang true to me. Ms. Azzis also did a great job of broaching a wretched subject and bringing the #metoo movement. I’m glad Evie was written as a woman who struggles with her past, but prevails; and prevails with the love and support of her friends and family.
I feel blessed to be in a family and community of people who understand consent and duty and responsibility. We all need to work to be accountable for our actions and of those around us, and for those we affect. This book touched on a sensitive subject with dignity and aplomb, and drew me in to the characters. Bonus: the cover is hot! I hope we see more books and get to know more of the Maywood and Kane families.
Star Ratings:
Plot = 5/5 Characters = 5/5 Heat = 4/5 Writing Style = 5/5 Overall Rating = 5/5
Even though this wasn’t an easy book to read at times, it was a beautiful story. PTSD can come in so many different ways, and can cause so much harm in a person’s life. The way both characters were trying to deal with their demons while trying to find their way back to each other was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Wow, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this story! This is the first book by Gina Azzi that I have had the pleasure to read. Also this is the first story in the Kane Brothers series, so I am extra excited about that!
This story is about Evie and Jax and how they navigate their way through the figurative land mines in the years that separated them, the things they experienced while they were apart and the love that is still there. Even after everything that has happened to the both of them.
Evie has such a bright future ahead of her, she is confident in her future and her love for Jax. Then things happen, things that change her. Gina reveals it slowly through the story, you think you have it figured out but then there is a twist you won’t see coming and it floors you even more. Bravo for that.
Jaxon has loved Evie since high school, he doesn’t want to hold her back so he makes choices of his own that affect the both of them in the future. He too has dealt with terrible pain and loss. Coming home he finds Evie, but not the same Evie that he left.
I really empathized with this story, I am an Army vet, my husband is a combat Army vet and has PTSD so I live with it everyday. They way that Gina describes it is spot on and until you have lived with it or know someone who has it, you can never truly understand. So thank you for portraying PTSD honestly.
The secondary characters are phenomenal and I cannot wait to read more about them in future books!
Well done Ms. Azzi!
A super sweet second chance Rescuing Broken definitely brings forth all the emotions with Evie and Jax’s story. High school sweethearts, they were separated by life choices but the love between these two never died and it shows from the moment they see each other again. But Evie’s past after Jax left has haunted her for years and made her a shell of herself.
As Jax works his way back into her heart the truth of what happened after he left keeps a wall between them. While I loved the sweetness between these two I felt like the slow build of their reconciliation was stuck in limbo for a while. For every two steps forward there were two steps back and it began to drag a bit for me. I will say the reasons for it were completely understandable, but it just slowed things a bit too much to keep me really invested.
This is not an easy story that you will read with no impact on your thinking or on your mind. THIS WILL MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT THINGS THTCN HAPPEN ANYTIME.
Evie… that girl is so intriguing and engaging character as it’s rare to create a character that would seem strong to the edge, but she had well-hidden secrets, that made me almost cry in lace full of people! So deep, so emotional. I loved her and anything more would spoil the pleasure of any reader.
Jax, he was so REFRESHING male character – not overwhelming or rude, but yet so masculine while being rehabilitated and coming back from the army before his contract. I’m on #TeamJAX!
This story will make your heart ache and will make great page-turner pleasure that will touch some important topics that made me feel so amused that were put that way in that story!!
I voluntarily read an advanced copy.
Evie and Jax’s story is tragic. This book is full of the feels. It was a very believable story and the characters were relatable.
With that being said, this story was not for me. I require a few elements in a story for me to really enjoy it. Sadly this book only had one. That being the happily ever after.
This book wasn’t bad and for most I’m sure they will like it. It took me two weeks to read this book. Just because I couldn’t get into it.
If you are a fan of second chance romances (and who isn’t??) this one is definitely worth your while. Jaxon Kane (Jax) and Evie Maywood (my Maywood, love Jax’s nickname for Evie!) haven’t seen each other in 7 years. They thought, as did their friends and family, that they just had a high school romance that ended when they became adults and went their separate ways. But when they see each other again they realize what each other went through in those 7 years apart and the demons they both are fighting. Maybe they can help each other heal? What I really enjoyed about this book is learning about Evie’s story. It was a slow reveal in which you have an idea of what happened and as the story progresses you learn a little more just by inferences to it until she tells the whole story towards the end of the book. Jax is a war hero who is fighting his own memories and issues. This book highlights two sensitive subjects that are very much current events and often debated and discussed by all walks of life. Don’t miss this book about the first of the Kane brothers. I can’t wait to read about Denver and Carter Kane!
Reviewed by: Alexis B.
One word – LOVE. This is definitely a must read!
I just wasn’t into reading it. Not recommend it.
From the early mention of #MeToo I knew we would be tackling some heavy situations in this book. Evie thinks about these brave women and how she wants to be brave like them. Jax and Evie were high school sweethearts up until he decided to join the military. They tried communicating while he was away but Jax was crushed when Evie decided to end all communications. When Jax comes home after 7 years he is on a mission to reconnect with Evie. Most of the book has Jax trying to get Evie to open up to him and find out more about who she is now. Evie has a secret that only her and Jax’s two brothers know and it has changed who she is as a person and where her career path has taken her. Jax happens to be the one man to get her to talk about what happened all those years ago and she finally presses charges. Their happily ever after involves a chance of starting over. I loved how powerful this story was with such an important storyline but also sweet and romantic.
Love this story!!!
What if you were given a second chance? A do over?
Would you take it?
This story of Jax and Evie isn’t your typical run of the mill love stories. 7yrs. Apart is a long time. Getting home from the Army Jax never expected to see Evie but now that he does. All 7yrs vanished for him.
This is a must read to find out what happens next…
Gina Azzi wrote a Beautiful story that will inspire many to take the second chance.
When Jax left for the Army to not hold back Evie, little did he know he set events in motion that would almost destroy the woman he loved. So when he returns to his hometown, he finds the women he loved is only a shell of the person she used to be and he is determined to find out what happened to her and how he can bring her back to him. Wow! What an emotional journey this story told. This story touched me in so many ways. The battles that both Jax and Evie fight in other to love each other again just broke my heart again and again. Highly recommend this book!!!