The Breakers by les16

Official Description:

After spending 7 years in prison, Edward gets a new start in the fishing village of Corea, Maine. Can a little girl and her mom, Bella, see beyond his past and can they all find love again…or will the ocean swallow them whole?

Sometimes you get dealt a crappy hand of cards. Sometimes you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes you’re young and stupid and you find yourself turning into someone that doesn’t match who you are on the inside. And sometimes your so-called friends betray you and all you get in return is a lousy prison uniform.

Sometimes it’s hard to keep going, to trust, to love, to get your life back on track when your heart and spirit are nearly broken.

Right?

Right.

But Edward Masen’s inherent honor will never allow himself to entertain excuses like that. After seven years of prison, all he wants is to start over, put the past behind him. As best he can. If he can.

So he goes home to Corea, Maine.

Les16’s Edward in her newest story The Breakers, never claimed to be a saint, but I’ve never read a character that deserved his shot at redemption more than this guy. His path begins with an unusual little package.

A tiny package, with long brown hair and the sweetest voice.

“Hey, are you okay?” the little girl asks as she tugs on the hem of my t-shirt.

I shake my head to clear it of the melancholy thoughts creeping in and look down at her. Just gazing at her innocent and trusting face, seeing her lopsided smile, makes every dark thought I’d just had fade away until there is only her.

Sweet little Peyton knows a good thing when she sees it. She sees past the scars, the self-doubt and insecurity to the person underneath, especially if that person has a heart of gold, aching to love and be loved in return.

If only grown-ups could see the things Peyton sees.

“But, Mama, I want to talk to my new friend, Edward,” I hear Peyton say and the little whine I hear in her voice cracks through the façade I’ve erected.

I open my mouth to tell Peyton I’ll see her again, but one glance at her mother stops me dead in my tracks. The woman is barely holding it together and it’s like a punch in the gut. She thinks I’m no good and doesn’t want her daughter anywhere around me. The emptiness I feel at the thought of never talking to the little sprite ever again damn near brings me to my knees.

Peyton’s mama has demons of her own to fight. Bella’s armed though… with love and memories, with protective family and friends. She knows loss, which is why she guards her heart just as well as she guards her sweet little girl.

Don’t worry… it doesn’t take too long for Bella to see past Edward’s rough exterior, in fact, she’s drawn to him for reasons she can’t quite explain.

My eyes hold his for a moment longer than I know they’re supposed to and though I know I should look away, I can’t. I’m mesmerized by the way his eyes change color so quickly, almost like a kaleidoscope … mossy green then pewter gray, to the color of well-worn faded blue jeans … back to green again, all in a matter of seconds and the changes seem to match the emotions behind them. Wariness, surprise … calm then back to guarded.

It’s the strangest, most intense encounter I’ve ever been through and we still haven’t said a word.

If you like a whole cast of characters plus some wonderful, well-rounded new ones… if you like genuine conversation… if you like sexual tension through the roof… if you like a little mystery, a little angst, a little fluff and a lot of heart, then get yourself over to Corea, to the Swan family restaurant The Breakers, to watch the action unfold. You won’t be sorry!

What can I possibly add to primarycolors’s wonderful review? She said it so perfectly!

I do want to add that this story was my first foray into the lovely miss les16’s work. After seeing her give some great teasers for several weeks, hearing friends rave about it and of course, Kassiah, I spent almost my entire Saturday last week plowing through every chapter she had posted of The Breakers… and it was so, so worth it.

She has created characters with depth and feeling. So much so that while reading, you feel like you know them personally. It’s wonderful. She’s a sweetheart and I’m scared to death about where this story is headed, but I’m so ready for the ride!!

Full Disclosure time. I am lucky enough to get to pre-read this fabulous story! You should be jealous. lol les16 is an amazing writer and has brought rich, realistic characteristics to everyone in this story. I’m not sure if you’ll love it more because Edward’s a motorcycle-riding bluecollarward, because Bella is a strong, independent woman with just enough vulnerability, or because it’s hot.

I love everything about it.: the plot, Peyton, Charlie, Edward and Bella, the pacing of the story, and especially the writer. Trust me, you’re seriously missing out if you aren’t reading this!

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