Breaking the Rules

Troubleshooters, Book 16

By: Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor, Renee Raudman

Izzy Zanella wasn’t looking for another reason to butt heads with his Navy SEAL teammate, and nemesis, Danny Gillman. But then he met Danny’s beautiful younger sister, Eden. When she needed it most, he offered her a place to stay, a shoulder to cry on - and more. And when she got pregnant with another man’s child, he offered her marriage. But Eden’s devastating miscarriage shattered their life together - and made the intense bad blood between Izzy and Danny even worse.

Now Eden’s back, and she’s on a mission to rescue her teen brother, Ben, from their abusive stepfather. Even if she and Izzy can prove that their broken marriage is still in one piece, winning legal custody of Ben is a long shot. But they’re not alone: Danny and his girlfriend, Jenn, offer to help, and he and Izzy agree to bury the past and fight for Ben’s future.

As they plan their strategy, Izzy and Eden grapple with the raw passion that still crackles between them - while Danny and Jenn confront new depths in their own rocky relationship. But events take a terrifying turn after Ben befriends a girl fleeing a child prostitution ring. When the young runaway seeks refuge with Eden and Izzy, her pursuers kidnap Ben - and a deadly standoff begins. Now they must all pull together like never before and strike back, swift and hard, to protect their unconventional little family and everything they hold most precious.

©2011 Suzanne Brockmann (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Izzy's book Finally!

For those just joining the TS world, this book is the 16th in a series and you may be better served first listening to both Into the Fire and Hot Pursuit prior to listening to this one because the story is built starting with those novels. But this book seems to stand alone as Brockmann fills the listener in on the back story though the thoughts of the characters. For those who have enjoyed the prior Brockmann TS books, this book delivers on the promise of giving you a story from Izzy's POV. A long time favorite character we learn more of his past, while seeing his character and those of Eden, Dan and Jen grow through the truths and events of this book. Harsh topic such as the sex trade, addiction, intolerance, are dealt with in this book, so it is not an 'easy listen' at times. The Narrators bring the characters to life.

For the reviewer who thought Brockmann was 'anti-christian' I disagree. There is intolerance and narrow mindedness hiding in every community. I don't think Brockmann is blaming Christians, I do think she is pointing out that intolerance and ignorance combined can cause great harm. I hope you look past your own assumptions and see her 'narrow minded' character does not reflect true Christianity any more than a character who is a 'bad cop' or an 'abusive parent' reflect what law enforcement, or parenting are truly about.

Enjoyed

There are sixteen books in this series. I actually listened to the first "Unsung Hero," and didn't follow up with the series until "Breaking the Rules" come up on a sale. This book had a very different feel to it. It is still a bodice ripper to be sure, but wasn't quite as over the top as the first book in the series. I was looking for an easy read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't think that listening to this book out of order in the series was a problem at all. I recommend it if you are looking for a romance.

Exceptional Book!

YES!! I loved this story. We got a two fer here. Izzy's story and Danny's. We have an abusive adopted parent,and an emotionally detached mother, who is interested only in milking money from her oldest son. Danny's misunderstood sister, Eden has done what she needed to, to survive on her own, now she is worried about their younger brother, who is a diabetic, and gay. Ben's lifestyle choice does not sit well with his abusive step father, who intends to give him to a religious organization that promises to change his sexual orientation. The story only gets better, because Izzy finds Eden pole dancing in a club in Las Vegas. The heat is on!!
Now to tackle those who are incensed because of what they perceive as Suze's political/religious views and biasis, this is a story folks, and what she has written about goes on every single day in America. We have sexual slavery happening to young women both in this country and out of this country. We have people believing if you can just find god (notice I used a small g because the big guy said to love everyone) you can be saved from homosexuality and they can help you not be gay. (rollseyes) I am not liberal nor conservative, I am a GDI ( god damn independant)...people take these stories for what they are.....pure entertainment. Stop reading for what is not there. Enjoy!

Love this series

What did you love best about Breaking the Rules?

The happy ending

What did you like best about this story?

Characters are very interesting. I really like it when guys have emotions....

Which scene was your favorite?

so many can't pick

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Izzy and Eden, Dan and Jenny, and brother Ben, too

Izzy saves Dan Gillman’s life by donating blood. Eden has moved back to Las Vegas to help and protect her brother Ben. When crazy stepfather Greg has him kidnapped into an anti-gay Christian program, Eden calls Dan and Izzy for help. Jennilyn comes to Vegas with Dan, and with Izzy and Eden, they hope to obtain custody of Ben.
To complicate matters, Ben has befriended a young foreign teenager after she has escaped a sex trafficking ring. When the baddies kidnap first Ben, then Eden and Jenny; Izzy and Dan go in after them - with some support from Jenk, Lindsey & Jules.
Go Eden in Chapter 46! (24 in book) She finally understands what she wants and makes it clear to Izzy. Then Izzy makes me laugh with his line about Dysfunction Junction. These two are so quirky and often misunderstood that it’s really satisfying that they have found each other.
With Dan and Jennilyn getting married and bonding more closely, this actually feels like part two of their story that started in Hot Pursuit.
I really like Lawlor and Raudman as narrators.