Beautiful Broken Rules (Broken Series Book 1)
Okay so I liked this one! It’s been often recommended (especially lately, probably because of the recent book #2 release), and I was happy to indulge myself. And even happier that the author indulged us, too!
Lisa: My favorite book this year is beautiful broken rules!
Lindsey: I loved Beautiful Broken Rules by Kimberly Lauren. I can’t wait for the next one to come out!
Jillian: Beautiful Broken Mess released a day early! First book in the series is Beautiful Broken Rules – which was great!
Cori: LOVED the first book! It has a little Beautiful Disaster feel to it!
Jillian: It was sooo good! It kind of does. It was just so well written and ALL the characters were awesome. I fell in love with them. Gah! I might have to reread BBR before this book. You’re making me reminisce now…
Bobbi: Woot! Liked Beautiful Broken Rules a lot … looking forward to this one!
Emily: I LOVE the “Beautiful Broken” series by Kimberly Lauren but I would absolutely recommend that you read “Beautiful Broken Rules” first because all the same characters are in “Beautiful Broken Mess” and you get the foundation for so much laid out in BBR. Did I mention TWINS!? 😉 I loved BBM – looking forward to Lane’s story.
True, it wasn’t all that different from our usual reads in this “new adult” genre. In fact, quite similar to many we’ve read (girl with a past “issue” that lives by a certain set of controlling rules so as not to experience that kind of hurt again)… you know the drill. 😉 But there was *something* about it that made it really good (especially if you’re in the mood for something like this).
And what made it a tad different was the fact that her rules allowed her to live free, and sow her wild oats (as opposed to the more virginal heroines that have never, well… you know ). But the gist of this is the same… no falling in love = no hurt. Why is she so afraid of loving? Of being hurt? What happened in her past? Well, you’ll see. I dunno that I quite followed her logic (my mind went one way, while hers was going another), but you know… whatever. She was young and “marked” by tragic events and… I went with it. *shrug* 😉
And of course the one gorgeous bad boy that every girl in the world wants, suddenly wants only her. Hey, I’m not knocking it. Everyone knows many of my favorites are definitely in that vein, and I certainly wouldn’t have minded that kind of intensity back in my college-girl days, you know?
Speaking of my favorites, specifically ONE favorite, was hinted at a few times. Many of you letting me know that this one reminded you of it.
Teresa: I read Beautiful Broken Rules by Kimberly Lauren a few days ago, and it was one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. It was 5+ stars for me. It gave me the same feeling that I had while reading Beautiful Disaster. It has a completely different storyline from BD, but it was just as great!
Jean: I am at 40%….totally reminds me of Beautiful Disaster!
And you know what? Yes it did! I agree.
In fact, while the story, scenes and characters were different enough “on the outside”, there was a feel, or a flow to the progression of their relationship. Similarities. Reactions and emotions that just reminded me of my favorite book. Even his intensity. Maybe especially his intensity. P.S. He’s what captivated me in this book. It was good, but to me, he’s why it was good. 😉
So what’s it about?
Emerson is tight with a group of definite “cool kids” in college (her best friend/roommate/sister-by-proxy “Ellie”, and a football player “Cole” that pretty much, rules the game, and looks out for them both). Them, along with the rest of their entourage give this book a “cool clique” feel, even though Emerson is well known in college to be “easy”. Having frequent sex with hot guys, but never letting it get too serious with any of ’em. She makes no apologies, and has a good time. And while there are some (even guys she’s been with) that give her a hard time about her lifestyle,
… he thinks he can convince me to change my rules for him. No one will convince me of that.
and she has to deal with a few “rumor mills”,
I really didn’t want to hear what they had to tell him. I could only guess it was something along the lines of ‘stay away from the school slut.’
… she’s still plenty popular and seemingly happy. Well adjusted.
Her world changes though, when Cole’s two “other” best friends (Jaxon and Jace) transfer to their college. They’re gorgeous. Tall and warrior-like. One is a super-football hero like Cole, and the other is in pre-med. And they’re identical twins.
Twins. Identical Twins. Identical freaking hot-as-hell Twins.
Ruh roh!! 😉 And… YAY!!!! I was extremely titillated once I realized this potential.
Emerson is super attracted to both of ’em. But especially Jaxon.
“Stop staring at him. I hear he’s the male version of you, he doesn’t settle down.”
And Jaxon is just as smitten with her. Let the fun begin!!
Even though he “accepts” their friends-only status (with a few extra benefits), his intensity and unapologetic public claiming of her makes it clear where he stands. Even when it’s just in fun, it’s always a touch serious, too.
I looked toward the field and Jaxon was right on the other side of the barrier separating the stands from the sidelines.
“Hey!” he shouted. “You do realize you’re doing that to the wrong twin, right?” He turned and glared at Jace, who only started laughing.
Yeah… I was enjoying his torment a little too much, here.
Much like my favorite book-boyfriend in the whole wide world’s torment. And of course, this causes lots of delicious problems. *grins*
Now… that’s not to say that this one matched my favorite (for me). Everything I loved was there, just… with slightly less intensity. Slightly less angst. Slightly less pain and heart wrench. It’s all still there, though. Just… easier on you (and while I like “easier” in real life, in my book life, I love my reads to scar me. At least a little). This one scratches and welts a bit, but I don’t know that I’ll be reminded of it via a permanent book-scar, you know? Those scars are kind of like trophies to me. If it can scar me, it’s my favorite.
But if you’re looking for a “What to Read After Beautfiful Disaster” option to continue that awesome angsty alpha-boy intense book mood, this is a great option!
Yep! I liked it.
True, there weren’t really any twists, or crazy reveals, or anything that had me gasping or racing to tell y’all to pick it up ASAP. Nothing out of the ordinary from our usual bad-boy (or in this case, mostly just uber-coveted boy) reads. And yet despite that, I was still “into” it. Sure, I could put it down, but I was always happy (and even a little excited) to pick it right back up. Nothing out of this world for me, but one that I plenty enjoyed, and I think many of you might, too.
“Please stop running from me,” he whispered.
“Please stop trying to catch me.”
3.75 to -I wanted to say 4 stars for the “feel” of this potential love story, (I was really feeling it, and enjoyed getting to know everyone in their “crew”) but I want to be slightly reserved just for the fact that I didn’t really reach any “shocking moments”, or have any intense reactions while reading it, nor did I have a pivotal life-changing moment.
And yet… I enjoyed it!
P.S. As I was looking through my emails for reader-reactions to quote here, I realized that the author sent me a review copy. Thank you Kimberly! I didn’t realize it though, and it looks like I bought it, instead. Must have been in one of my “bargain-book one-click frenzies”. Tee hee. I’m a book-mess.
P.P.S. Book #2 intrigues me. Not sure that I “like” a certain someone in it yet, but that might just make it that much more fun. 😉
Great review! I really enjoyed it because it was well written and felt like I was part of their crew while reading it! Jaxon definitely made the book for me. I loved his ‘hand’ written notes… 🙂 I agree it didn’t have the intensity that BD does, but sometimes I need a book like this. Nothing crazy over the top but one that leaves me with a smile on my face and a happy heart. 😉
Yep Jill, this was a really good one!! Great one, even. It tickled all of my “romance bones” and I LOVED how intense Jax got. Totally my thing.
Not overwhelming, but it felt “right” for me to enjoy it right through. 😀
P.S. For me, it was his need to have her in his bed, even just for sleeping. (*sigh*) I’m a sucker for sleep-love-romance. *heart*
Oh yeah, that whole ‘my bed only’ thing… DEFINITELY felt that!!! Gotta love his alpha side!
Love this review, Maryse, I couldn’t agree more!
Definitely one of my favorite books this year! I loved Jaxon! As for book #2, I was SO nervous to try it because I *HATED* one of the characters, but I must say that once I read her story I didn’t hate her at all anymore. I think the author made a mistake making her so intensely unlikable in book #1 because I’d totally be her bestie now. Can’t wait for book #3!!!!!
Completely agree with your review Maryse! I was not sure about the second one either when I saw who the main heroine was, but I agree with Renee…..once I read her story, I didn’t hate her anymore either and I did like the book!
I wasn’t thrilled that Book 2 was about Jace and “that girl” but you will change your mind about her once you read her story and this book — trust me, it was great!!!
This is yet another book I tried to purchase only to be informed I already owned it. Gotta love those 1-click frenzies. Now I’m gonna read it!
I’ve read two of the best books this week & it’s rare for me to find back to back great reads. Rose of Thorne & Last Hit (Hitman)…..both EXCELLENT stories, I loved em both!
YAY!!! I started Hitman!!!
I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t. There was too much personal narrative that “told the story.” Not enough dialog or character development. I want to live their experiences with them, not be told that they spent time together. I also did not like all the similarities to Beautiful Disaster. I felt like it tried way to hard to be like BD, but was just a bad imitation. Normally don’t write anything negative, but I just don’t get why everyone loved this book. I wanted so much to like it!
Enjoyed this book. A quick, easy read. Regarding book 2: I’m just not ready to go there yet. That character you’re supposed to hate in Book 1 — not ready to like her. Also, it’s a pet peeve of mine when an author takes a character who is so incredibly unlikeable and attempts in a later story to totally redeem them by making everything look like a big misunderstanding. It isn’t believable to me. And makes no sense. It seems like a story twist that is too artificially contrived. I’m all for redemption, but make it realistic. To say “Oh, it was all just a huge misunderstanding.” or “I was just kidding!” — doesn’t work for me. But i say that having not read the book. So take my opinion with that grain of salt.
I received an ARC of book 1 and book 2 for review and was totally shocked when I started book 2, thinking what the truckkkk? You get it. So anyway- I kept reading and Kimberly actually put it together very nicely. I did hate that certain character is book one but once you read her background and such in book 2, it’s kinda hard to hate her. Not something I would tell you to drop what ur reading RIGHT NOW and dive into- it wasn’t THAT kind of read for me- but I enjoyed book 2 more then the first.