How Not to Break

LOVESTRONG, Book 4

De: Susan Hawke

Narrado por: Michael Pauley

Take one former SEAL with a healthy dose of regret....

Nick St. Cloud is living with shame from the one time he let his lust override his sense of honor. He’s haunted by the memory of when he made love to his best friend’s 18-year-old son. The tragic accident that happened that same night has only compounded his guilt. A decade later, he’s doing his best to be there for Charlie’s son, but anything more than that just wouldn’t be right...would it?

Plus, the younger guy who he’s tried to forget....

It’s been 10 years. Ten long years. Does Shaw Michaelson feel bad about having seduced his dad’s best friend? Umm, maybe? Although he could’ve done things differently, Shaw can’t find it within himself to be sorry for the hottest night of his life with the one man he’s never been able to forget. The man he’s patterned every subsequent relationship after...yeah, Shaw totally has a type.

Equals a pair of men who deserve a second chance at a first time.

The two men are living in an uneasy peace within the same small town and circle of friends, being careful not to let the other get close enough to open old wounds. All their walls fall when a stalker begins terrorizing Shaw, sending him running to the one man he knows will keep him safe.

©2019 Susan Hawke (P)2019 Susan Hawke

Favorite of the series

Of all the Lovestrong books, I think this was my favourite. Although there are times when I’m just looking for a bit of fluff, there are times when I’m looking for a bit of angst. Add in a good dash of snarky dialogue. With great secondary characters and cameos from the main characters in previous books, this story had everything I could’ve asked for in a good story.

There’s Shaw. He became orphaned ten years ago and that, coupled with making love to his parents’ best friend at the same time, has left him conflicted. He’d seen Nick St. Cloud as a safe bet for someone who’d take care of him while having sex for the first time, but he hadn’t bargained on the morning after regrets Nick would feel. So for ten years Nick has watched from afar, leaving Shaw unsettled and unsatisfied. He’s dated other men and even been serious with one or two of them, but the relationships never amounted to anything because the other men weren’t Nick. The other men couldn’t compare to a compassionate and frankly sexy as hell ex-Navy SEAL.

I loved Shaw. His ineptitude at certain things (cooking) mixed with his aptitude with others (running a business) leant him a sweet disposition that made me want to wrap him up and take care of him. In some ways he’s a mature twenty-eight and in others he’s still naïve in the ways of the world. I understood Nick standing by, ready to step in when things go sideways, but otherwise keeping his hands literally to himself.

The stalking elements of the story were creepy and well done. I felt Shaw’s anguish at having his whole life upended and no longer feeling safe. That Nick was there to save him felt good, but I liked that Shaw insisted on maintaining some autonomy. He was willing to accept help and protection from Nick, but he still kept some agency. I also liked the little glimpses into his life and all the good things he was quietly doing for the community around him. He understands how lucky he is and wants to give back.

I want to take a quick moment to shout out to the secondary characters. I loved how they all rallied around Shaw, especially Becca. I loved her sassy attitude and great friendship with Shaw. I also liked how it was Dana, Nick’s former sister-in-law, who was such a champion of the men getting together.

Like I said, I really enjoyed this book and hope there are still more to come. Ranger Rick deserves his own happy ending, right?

Finally, Michael Pauley. He’s narrated the entire series and has done a brilliant job. He keeps a separate voice for each character and given the sheer volume of hot men, that’s quite a feat. He also has fantastic voices for the female characters, which I always appreciate. Overall, a great listen.

May/December for the win!!

St. Nick finally gets his man! I hoped he would be able to get out from behind himself in the first 3 books and he just kept messing it up. Shaw, sigh, so sweet and strong! He gets mixed up in some creepy mess and Nick can finally get his man.

WOW!

This is the story of Shaw and Nick, but it's also an amazing mystery.

Nick can't overcome the guilt of taking Shawn's virginity ten years ago, and the fact that that did happen the same night that Shaw's parents and Nick's friends died in a car accident hasn't helped. But he can't forget Shaw, either.

Shaw, meanwhile, has kept going on with his life, managing the toy store, working with his charities and using an app to find a date, as Nick is not willing to even look at his way. Or at least, that's what he thinks.

But when a stalker seems to be decided to make his life a living hell, Nick and Rick (his ex-boyfriend) are ready to step up and keep him safe.

I loved it. As much as I enjoyed the romance, and loved when these two men actually talked about that night, and what it meant for each of them, what kept me listening with no stop was the mystery. The stalker was really, really creepy, and the way the things kept escalating was downright frightening.

An amazing story, that I recommend with all my heart.

Great story with excellent narration

Nick was a character in the first book, and we met Shaw in other books. There were hints that there was something going on with these two, and I am so glad that we finally got their story and ultimate HEA. Nick was the best friend of Shaw's father, and they had one earth moving night together 10 years prior. Unfortunately, that was also the night that Shaw's parents were killed in a car accident, and Nick and Shaw were separated by guilt, sadness, and so many other emotions and situations. Shaw ends up getting a creepy stalker, and Nick rides to the rescue again. Luckily, Nick gets out of his head long enough to realize that he is allowed to be happy and that Shaw is what can do that for him. It isn't an easy road overall, but when they finally start talking and really gelling together, they come together solidly and quickly. I liked these two, and I am so glad to see them be happy. There were moments that made me tear up when they dreamed or talked about his parents, and those scenes were so beautifully done. I never read the prequel to know what really happened in the past, but I didn't need to read that to enjoy this story.

Now I'm interested in seeing Rick find love. It sucked for him to watch Shaw find love with someone else, so he needs to be happy now.

Michael Pauley is so dang amazing. Love him so much. He narrates these books so beautifully.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services

favorite in the series

Loved this book! It's my favorite in the series so far. I'm a big fan of May/December romances, so I loved that even though it doesn't have the same feel as others do. Once they get over the past, they are more of equals. The suspense made this book all the better.