Veena’s review of Broken Open (Hurley Boys, Book 2) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin HQN 25 Nov 14
This book seems to have it all: family, friendship, and a beautiful love story. He’s a recovered drug addict who climbed to the heights and fell as far as a human being can ever fall, so afraid to commit to a real relationship in case that becomes another addiction. She’s loved and lost and finally found a fragile peace with her creativity and good friends. It is a pleasure to ride along with them as they rediscover the joy in love and commitment. This is a deeply emotional romantic story which grips the heart and has you rooting for their happily ever after.
Ezra is the soul behind the Sweet Hollow Ranch Band. His is the stereotypical story of country boy who made it big and busted big as well when the pressure and adulation drove him into drugs and divine arrogance. Luckily for Ezra, he has a strong family who loves him and, despite everything, they came together and helped him get help and get past the bad stuff. Now content to remain in the background, he still composes and contributes to the group in a meaningful way, all the while running the family ranch on a day-to-day basis. Needless to say, his history makes him shy away from a relationship, and, it’s interesting, when he does fall for Tuesday he almost runs away because of his perceived corollaries to his addiction.
Tuesday has had her own share of heartache. Having lost her beloved husband to cancer, she doesn’t believe that romance can be a part of her life again. Content with her growing business, good friends, and communing with nature, Ezra blindsides her with his sweet, gentle kisses and slow approach. Well, who wouldn’t be receptive to a guy who’s kind to children and animals and has great talent to boot. As their relationship slowly progresses to the bedroom, the sex between them is definitely scorching hot.
There is a great sense of continuity as we get to experience what’s going on with the other brothers who’ve already had their stories and get a glimpse of what’s to come with the last brother who will be getting his book next. Ezra just reached out and captured my heart, along with his menagerie of dogs, cats, and pigs. Yes, pigs plural! I find the story a wonderful old-fashioned romance with ordinary people living their everyday lives and facing some interesting challenges. Tuesday is African-American, and even in the small town of Hood River, where the story is set, she faces prejudice which she deals with, because that’s what one does when faced with small-minded, mean people. But the Hurleys and their reaction and defense of her is just a small part of what makes this story so real.
Tuesday’s family is darling and I hope to see more of them in a future book, but her father’s protectiveness as he gives Ezra and his brother the good old-fashioned third degree, regardless of their fame, gave me goosebumps, which is followed by the impromptu family concert featuring her family and their varied talents blithely participating with two of the country’s hottest rock stars.
I find this story a refreshing change from the current trend of erotica, but, most importantly, it’s about second chances and the hope each human being has of having a happily ever after.
Grade: A
Summary:
Beyond passion. And beyond their control…
Five years ago, Tuesday Eastwood’s life collapsed and left her devastated. After an empty, nomadic existence, she’s finally pieced her life back together in the small Oregon town of Hood River. Now Tuesday has everything sorted out. Just so long as men are kept for sex, and only sex…
Then she met him.
Musician and rancher Ezra Hurley isn’t the man of Tuesday’s dreams. He’s a verboten fantasy—a man tortured by past addictions whose dark charisma and long, lean body promise delicious carnality. But this craving goes far beyond chemistry. It’s primal. It’s insatiable. And it won’t be satisfied until they’re both consumed, body and soul…
Other books in this series:
