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Review:
I made the mistake of starting this book on my way to go hang out with people. So I had a good hour of reading on the train and then I had to be social. Which was hard to do when all I could think about were Hannah (yes! an MC named Hannah. LOVE that), Leo and Argus. I haven't really read books that prominently feature horses since I was about 14. But, when Juliana wrote Breaking the Reins of course I was so excited. Because of course this isn't just another book about horses. Breaking the Reins contains so much more than I could have imagined. It gets really intense and totally scary, but it is also a healing and empowering story that's ultimately beautiful.
I'm about to share a couple pretty personal things, but I feel I need to let you know where I'm coming from. First, my biggest fear is getting into an abusive relationship. I don't know where it comes from, but for some reason, thinking about it makes me a panicky. It's being trapped, powerless, and betrayed all in one. Juliana just captured the intensity and the horror of finding out that someone you love is a totally different person than you thought. When the one person you're supposed to trust and love more than any one else is the one who's hurting you, physically and mentally, how do you come away from that? Hannah has to confront that from beginning to end as it unfolds in front of us. And I couldn't help but totally step into her shoes and feel her fear.
My second confession is that I have a sociopath in my history. Juliana labels Eric as a psychopath, but sociopaths are along the same lines. In both cases they're fantastic liars and they feel no remorse. Which is horrifying. Eric really scares me. And the thing is, he started out totally normal and then he got consistently worse. The more Leo comes around the more I sat on edge wondering if Eric was going to snap or what he was going to do.
But here's the really great thing about this book: It could easily just be a horror story, but it's actually quite an inspiring, mostly happy, and empowering book. The wonderful parts (which, naturally mostly have to do with Leo) are stronger than the darker moments. I kept looking forward to the time when Leo would show back up again and surprisingly Hannah's relationship with Argus, the abused horse she's trying to rehabilitate, was one of my favorite parts of the book. Argus is just the best. He really becomes one of the main characters in this book. He has his own personality and story and it is wonderful watching him heal as he gives Hannah strength in the process. With all the craziness happening in Hannah's personal life, my most emotional moments came from Argus.
And of course, Leo is right there through the whole thing being all Brazilian and hot and understanding. He shows up out of nowhere, turns out to be one of the best polo players in the world (which is what brings out the evil side of Eric - who's competing against Leo in both polo and for Hannah), and he just has the best heart. I fell for Leo so quick and so hard, because his goodness just radiates off the page. Generally, I don't like my guys to be so achingly perfect, but up against Eric and just the way he carries that goodness so well, he was just astounding. This is the kind of guy you really dream to fall for - he loves his family, he's ambitions, good with horses, patient, understanding, strong, passionate, and he'll fight fiercely for what he loves. I love Leo so much.
I honestly could go on and on about the things I love about this book. I've barely scratched the surface. There's all these great secondary characters - like Leo's sister and Hannah's sister, who I surprisingly came to love. And of course, I should take a moment to mention that Hannah is a kick-ass heroine. She handles her situation with such grace. I also admire the way that she's able to fight for the people in her life, even if she doesn't really know how to fight for herself. Juliana is a wonderful NA author, who's really proved herself with this novel, so keep an eye out for what she does next! And seriously, if you want a good NA book - give this one a shot.
I'm about to share a couple pretty personal things, but I feel I need to let you know where I'm coming from. First, my biggest fear is getting into an abusive relationship. I don't know where it comes from, but for some reason, thinking about it makes me a panicky. It's being trapped, powerless, and betrayed all in one. Juliana just captured the intensity and the horror of finding out that someone you love is a totally different person than you thought. When the one person you're supposed to trust and love more than any one else is the one who's hurting you, physically and mentally, how do you come away from that? Hannah has to confront that from beginning to end as it unfolds in front of us. And I couldn't help but totally step into her shoes and feel her fear.
My second confession is that I have a sociopath in my history. Juliana labels Eric as a psychopath, but sociopaths are along the same lines. In both cases they're fantastic liars and they feel no remorse. Which is horrifying. Eric really scares me. And the thing is, he started out totally normal and then he got consistently worse. The more Leo comes around the more I sat on edge wondering if Eric was going to snap or what he was going to do.
But here's the really great thing about this book: It could easily just be a horror story, but it's actually quite an inspiring, mostly happy, and empowering book. The wonderful parts (which, naturally mostly have to do with Leo) are stronger than the darker moments. I kept looking forward to the time when Leo would show back up again and surprisingly Hannah's relationship with Argus, the abused horse she's trying to rehabilitate, was one of my favorite parts of the book. Argus is just the best. He really becomes one of the main characters in this book. He has his own personality and story and it is wonderful watching him heal as he gives Hannah strength in the process. With all the craziness happening in Hannah's personal life, my most emotional moments came from Argus.
And of course, Leo is right there through the whole thing being all Brazilian and hot and understanding. He shows up out of nowhere, turns out to be one of the best polo players in the world (which is what brings out the evil side of Eric - who's competing against Leo in both polo and for Hannah), and he just has the best heart. I fell for Leo so quick and so hard, because his goodness just radiates off the page. Generally, I don't like my guys to be so achingly perfect, but up against Eric and just the way he carries that goodness so well, he was just astounding. This is the kind of guy you really dream to fall for - he loves his family, he's ambitions, good with horses, patient, understanding, strong, passionate, and he'll fight fiercely for what he loves. I love Leo so much.
I honestly could go on and on about the things I love about this book. I've barely scratched the surface. There's all these great secondary characters - like Leo's sister and Hannah's sister, who I surprisingly came to love. And of course, I should take a moment to mention that Hannah is a kick-ass heroine. She handles her situation with such grace. I also admire the way that she's able to fight for the people in her life, even if she doesn't really know how to fight for herself. Juliana is a wonderful NA author, who's really proved herself with this novel, so keep an eye out for what she does next! And seriously, if you want a good NA book - give this one a shot.
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About Breaking the Reins:
Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert
Publication date: August 14th 2013
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.
After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.
Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.
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About Juliana Haygert:
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
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Giveaway:
Open internationally
Prizes:
-Signed paperback of Breaking the Reins
-Ebook of Breaking the Reins
-Signed paperback of Destiny Gift
-Ebook of Destiny Gift
-25$ Amazon/B&N gift card
