Have you ever read a book where you cried through the majority of it? Because for me, that was Break It Down by April Canavan. If you're unfamiliar with the book, it is the fourth book in the Birch Police Department series. Honestly, I've read all four, and all four of them have had me in tears at one point or another. What can I say, except I'm a very emotional person.
In Break It Down, we have Chloe and Ian. They have been a couple for YEARS, and were engaged to be married. That is until Chloe receives news that her brother has died during his most recent overseas deployment. This gutted her, and she felt it was Ian's fault. She blamed him, and so she ended their relationship. But not a day goes by that she doesn't regret that decision. At the reading of her brother's will, it is announced that Chloe, Ian, and the rest of the group are all headed for a week long vacation. It is all paid for, and there are challenges to be completed while there. It is at this vacation where Chloe is finally able to talk to Ian a bit. She lays it all out there, and she makes it clear that she wants her ring back. She wants to marry Ian! Ian is making her wait. One day Chloe and Ian are out on the lake enjoying time together when they notice something strange. It looks like something is floating in the water, and when they get closer they find out it is a woman. They rescue her, and the ambulance arrives to take her to the hospital. And that's that. Or is it? This my friends is where the suspense kicks in a bit.
As I said at the beginning I cried throughout this story. When death is mentioned, or a major illness, I automatically get all up in my feelings. There is something about walking through this period with the characters that just brings out my sympathetic self, along with a bit of empathy. And then I'm just a mess. So learning that Chloe's brother died overseas, and also learning that her parents died years earlier, and she's now the only one left of her family, just hit me hard. Even typing that out made my eyes a little misty. Collect yourself Laura! Witnessing Chloe go through all this, and trying to distance herself from Ian was hard. I understand why she was doing what she was, but still. I loved every single thing about Break It Down. From the struggles that Chloe and Ian went through, to the vacation at the lake house. to the activities they had to participate in, to the return home, to the end of the book. All of it was amazing. My emotions went on a rollercoaster ride, but that's okay! It was worth it for this book. When the book was over half through, I was wondering when the suspense was going to kick in. I figured it would have started already. But clearly I was wrong. When it did begin though, I was a nervous wreck. I mean I knew the story would end on a good note, but getting there took time. I can't lie, I do wish the suspense had been a bit more drawn out, but it is what it is, and I loved the story.
Originally I was going to give Break It Down 4.5 stars, but as I've sat with it, I realized that it truly is a 5 star read. Yes I wanted there to be more to the suspense side of the story, but ultimately it isn't enough to not call it a 5 star read.
I loved this book. I love all these characters. The setting is fantastic. And I clearly need to purchase some stock in Kleenex since I've been going through so much lately with all these tear jerker stories. Highly recommend that you read Break It Down, and really all the books in the Birch Police Department series.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura
A folded up flag is all that remains.
My brother lost overseas.
And every single day, I face the man who walked away.
The man who couldn't save him.
The one I blame, even if he's not at fault.
He haunts every step I take, and I can't escape.
I'm not sure I can convince him to let me go.
I'm definitely not strong enough to admit the truth.
I never stopped loving him.
Ian
The sight of her holding that flag will haunt me until the day I die.
One night.
One mistake.
One failed mission.
Two families ruined forever.
The right thing to do is walk away.
Especially when I see rage in her eyes.
She doesn’t need the trouble I’ll bring her way.
There’s only one thing I’m good for.
And it sure as hell doesn’t include fixing her problems.
With my expertise, I can break her down and tear her apart.
I just can’t put her back together again.
But she’s in my blood, and I can’t let her go.
She might be shattered and broken, but I never wanted her perfect.
I just want her.
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Meet April Canavan
I live on chaos and coffee, and you’ll find it running through every single one of my stories. First of all, I absolutely abhor writing anything biographical. In any form. I’m terrible at it, and I have the very firm belief that no one wants to know who I am. You’re here for books, right? But that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook.
I grew up sneaking over to my great grandmother’s to read her Harlequin novels. Those were delivered once a month in a ginormous box, and from the age of ten, she let me devour them in their entirety. I fell in love with romance, even the clean kind. And that, undoubtedly, led to many days and nights with my face buried in a book and the discovery that I wasn’t happy unless my hair was up, and I had a story in my hand.
I never wanted to write. I wanted to read. ALL the words. Until someone pointed out to me that I’d been writing my entire life. I just needed to put the book in my hand down and pick up a pen.
Once I started, I found out that I couldn’t stop. Now, I’m always writing. Or reading. Or chasing my son through the house to get the elusive hug he thinks I don’t need.
Oh, and I’m a Leo… which is completely on-point if you know me at all. I love being the center of attention. On my terms. When I can stay at home in my pajamas. With lots and lots of coffee on hand. And maybe a few snacks.
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Thank you to April Canavan, and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for providing me with an advanced copy of Break It Down.
