Book Review : Breaking The Reins by Juliana Haygert

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Breaking the Reins

by 

Juliana Haygert

Release Date: August 14th 2013

Source: 

Author (eArc)

Synopsis

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.

**Contains scenes of domestic violence**

Purchase At:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B & N | iBooks | Kobo

My Review:

Eeeeeep!!! Where do I start with this book? It was not what I was expecting at all!!! I had an idea of what the story would be like, but it completely took me by surprise! I quickly got attached to Hannah and Leo. Their chemistry was instant and I loved all the moments they had together. It was my first time reading a book from Juliana Haygert and it won't be my last! I loved her writing style! It was so easy to be swept away in the story. I found it very original that the main male characters are polo players. It was interesting to find out a bit more about this sport. We even got to learn a bit of Portuguese. I loved it! It made me think of my family in Brazil :)

Hannah has been going out with Eric for two years. Eric is all about money and power. She was brought up in a wealthy family, but all of that is not important to her. She would rather spend her days doing what she loves, which is taking care of horses. When her grandmother died, she left her with her most prized possession and since that moment, Hannah does not see eye to eye with Eric anymore. Eric starts changing and once Leo enters the picture her relationship with Eric takes a turn for the worst. She is torn between a man that she thought she knew and a man that has the power to heal her completely.

The characters in this story were all very charming, except that A*****e named Eric!OMG!!!! How I hated him!!! If he would be in front of me ..... Argggggg!!! Let's move on to better stuff .... Hannah and Leo .... Awwww!!! I loved them so much! Hannah is strong, confident and caring. Leo is EVERYTHING we look for in a book boyfriend. He's strong, sexy, smart, protective and did I say SEXY? Yes I did! But honestly this guy is HOT!!!Waaaaah!!! The way he calls Hannah ... Morena *Panties melting* Holy sweet mother of God! Yup! 100% swoon attack! I liked that these two had a slow building romance, even if the chemistry was instant their love for each other slowly developed.

Let's talk horses. Argus!!!!!!! OMG!!! He stole my heart!!!! I was hanging on every word when he was around. I wanted to see his progress, I was cheering for him .... He even made me freakin' cry!!! Not only does Leo still your heart, but Argus does too! <3 <3 <3 <3

I loved the family aspect of this book. I really hope those hot brothers, Bia and Hillary, Hannah's sister, will get a story. I really want to see more of all these characters. Bia, Leo's twin sister, was one of my favorites. She was super funny and I loved her personality.

My Rating:

I give Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert 4.5 sweet, romantic, intense, sexy stars! This NA Contemporary Romance is Amazing! Fantastic work by Juliana Haygert!

Casting:

Hannah

Leo

Guest Post:

Juliana accepted to sit on the HOT SEAT and answer some questions for us. Obrigado para suas respostas, Juliana! ;)

Her books:

Who is your favorite character and why? Mirella – though this book isn’t published it! I think she’s my fave because I can see a lot of myself on her.

What chapter gave you the most trouble while writing it? My problem isn’t writing – my problem is revising. I prefer writing 10 novels to revising 1 lol

Who is your favorite couple? Hannah and Leo from Breaking the Reins, so far. Mirella and Artan will probably take the lead once I go back to that story.

Is there a scene that you wrote that made you cry? Yup. Several scenes of Breaking the Reins made me cry.

Where do you get your inspiration for your stories? Everywhere, anywhere. Destiny Gift = a sentence my husband said about gods and immortality. Breaking the Reins = the music video of Radar by Britney Spears. Playing pretend = I heard a publisher mentioned they would like “spring flings” stories. That turned into Spring Break in my mind.

What is your writing routine? I write almost every weekday while my kid is at school, and sometimes at night after she goes to bed if my hubs has MBA homework to do.

What song makes you think of one of your couples? Say Yes by Snow Patrol makes me think of Leo and Hannah.

Most memorable fan email/meeting/letter/encounter? I hadn’t had many yet. I once got an email from a known trad author saying she loved my writing. I’ve met with two bloggers in NYC, both called Hannah. They are the sweetest and they love my books! That was super fun! And every email or message I get of readers saying they loved my books makes my day! 

What genre would you love to write next? I’m revising a NA UF right now, then I’m going to work on a contemporary romance. Next, I’ll probably work on another UF. I would love to try my hand at high fantasy. I did once, a long time ago, but never tried it again.

What are your upcoming projects? I have Soul Oath and Cup of Life (The Everlast Trilogy) coming in November, then I’ll have Playing Pretend (a light contemp romance) coming in March 2014. Around June/July, I should have the last book of The Everlast Trilogy out, and after that I’m not sure. I want to write everything at the same time, because I have too many ideas – so I don’t plan too far ahead because by the time I get to them, I might have changed my mind.

Authors and books she loves:

Favorite male character? Dimitri Belikov holds my heart

Favorite female character? At the moment, Celaena from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Favorite author? Richelle Mead

Favorite book? One only? No way. The Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bargudo, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Divergent by Veronica Roth …

Favorite Genre to read? UF

Favorite Quote? “You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.” ― Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass

If you could recommend one book at the moment, which one would it be? Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert? HAHA. Hm, not mine? Eyre House by Cait Greer – a NA told from a guy’s POV. It’s awesome!

What is the next book you are anxiously waiting for? Allegiant by Veronica Roth

If you could hang out with one author for a day, who would it be? Bah. I don’t know. Too many. Hm, J.K. Rowling, but I probably would be too stunned and wouldn’t be able to talk at all!

***Giveaway***

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About the Author:

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

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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