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Broken Trilogy #1

Broken Rules

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Ten years ago, Jonah Chevalier was kicked out of his home for being gay. In a bid to escape his pain, Jonah moved halfway across the country to start over. Now, his mother’s death brings him home where he will discover a shared passion with his childhood best friend.

Neil Brogan returns home hoping to reconnect with Jonah and ends up with more than he ever thought possible. They live on opposite sides of the country but the distance between them may be more than mere miles. Neil hopes to convince Jonah that some rules are made to be broken.

229 pages, ebook

First published April 14, 2011

3 people are currently reading
153 people want to read

About the author

Jade Buchanan

63 books114 followers
Jade’s writing is as eclectic as her reading tastes, with over thirty erotic romance tales currently published. She’s been known to accept writing challenges from friends and family just to see their reactions and Jade is also a firm believer that love and romance are universal concepts, no matter a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Originally from Northern Ontario, she's lived in British Columbia and the Sultanate of Oman in the Middle East. Jade currently lives in Calgary, Alberta where she’s hard at work on her next story.

Jade loves to hear from readers! Send her an email at jade.buchanan@yahoo.com

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5 stars
16 (12%)
4 stars
45 (36%)
3 stars
48 (38%)
2 stars
11 (8%)
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4 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Bubbles  Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions .
1,314 reviews279 followers
June 6, 2011
The first half was so boring, way too long getting to the interesting stuff. IMO the story doesn’t start to get interesting until after halfway through when the two main characters actually start to build a relationship. First half dragged on way too long. Then the relationship was all Neil making it work while Joanna did nothing to show he cared about Neil or the relationship at all. At first I liked Joanna but by the end he just wasn’t enjoyable to read about. I wished we would have had more of Neil’s POV since he was likable and interesting, and I wished he would have found someone that at least showed interest in being with him

This is probably only problems for me since I know little about Canada or the French language… The use of French in the book with no interpretations was confusing since I don’t speak French. It pulled me out of the story having to have a friend translate the text for you so you can have an idea of what they are talking about. I also don’t get the whole Canadian education system grade 13, had to ask about that too and learned grade 13 (no longer available I guess it no stops at grade 12) was for kids going to University where the kids going to College stop at grade 12. That was my understanding of it.

The sex on the stool I can’t picture what they were doing and have to ask, is that even possible? It was confusing for me.

There were some really funny parts so I will give it three stars for the laughs I got but overall the story just didn’t do it for me
Profile Image for Heather C.
1,480 reviews222 followers
June 6, 2011
I think I would have enjoyed this better if I could have understood all the French, or if the author would have translated it for me. I don't think a single word was translated! I spent half a day trying to figure out what "mon petit chou-fleur" meant. According to my Canadian friend, its an endearment for "sweetheart" and not "my little cauliflower". It even had brief conversations all in French. Whole sentences called out during sex and I have no idea if it was even hot because I couldn't understand it!!!

The story was slow and not that interesting or unique, although there were a few laugh out loud moments. I think all I'll remember about this book is the French I couldn't understand.
Profile Image for Meggie.
5,333 reviews
April 30, 2011
The story is pretty ordinary. The plot was enjoyable but a bit washed out. And I will never get how can parents hate their own flesh and blood. How sad that is! Anyway...if I didn't read so many m/m books last couple of years, I would say it was great plotted and written story. But in todays reality it was an ordinary story. And the sex was so NOT hot at all. The chemistry between Jonah and Neil just wasn't there. Their friendship was real, but their attraction and sex was lamely or weak. If there will be a story about David, I hope it will be better one!
Profile Image for Chris.
2,885 reviews208 followers
April 30, 2011
Good m/m romance about a guy who hasn't been to his home town for ten years (ever since his parents kicked him out of the house when they discovered he was gay), but returns for his mom's funeral and runs into his former best friend. I was frustrated by the sheer number of names introduced during the first third of the book. I'm not sure if that frustration was the reason I never fully connected with the characters or the story. Maybe.
Profile Image for Sarah.
562 reviews22 followers
May 21, 2016
Not what I expected, at all! I just thought, a little MM love and a lot of sexing..
Damn near cried my eyes out.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,724 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2022
3.75 rating It was a little hard to get into this book but once it started to move faster I enjoyed the drama. Two very religious parents kicked their teenage son out of his home when he came out. He come back for his mother's funeral and met up with his best friend (as friends to lovers).
Profile Image for Emeziel.
348 reviews19 followers
November 9, 2017
the other half of it just kept going on and on, until I started skimming, and that's never good. And then after dealing with a lot of useless drama, the core issue got solves in couple of lines.
701 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2011
This is the first book of Jade Buchanan’s I’ve ever read and the blurb is what drew me to the novel. I love the cliche of two childhood friends reuniting and falling in love as adults. That scenario calls to the romantic in my soul and gives me hope one day I’ll run into my 5th grade sweetheart and with one look it will be love. Broken Rules does have those elements of repressed lust and desire brought to the forefront by tragedy – the death of one of the protagonist’s (Jonah) mother – but ultimately fails to deliver in the romance department.

The major conflict in this story is Jonah and the pain, anger and fear he stills feels ten years after being kicked out of his religious parent’s house for being gay. He doesn’t want to come home for his mother’s funeral as it brings back too many bad memories of his coming out and the consequences it had on his life. So the book focuses heavily on that subject which clouds the entire novel in a feeling of dread and self-loathing. In some instances I felt like I was going to a funeral instead of Jonah.

To contrast this darkness, Jade Buchanan gives us the love interest for Jonah, namely his childhood friend Neil Brogan. While Jonah is a glass half-empty kind of guy, Neil is the opposite, having come from a warm and loving family who accepts his bisexuality. When the two men come together again – Neil takes off from work to attend Jonah’s mother’s funeral – we see them instantly fall into the same camaraderie they had in school. Now Jonah always had a crush on Neil, but had no idea his best friend was bisexual. As this revelation unfolds in a drunken kiss after the funeral, Jonah thinks he’s wrecked one of his oldest friendships, not realizing the other man feels the same. Neil reveals his sexuality and the two men have passionate sex against the guardrail of a bridge on the side of the road. (Ouch!) Surely this starts their Happily Ever After?

No.

Because Neil and Jonah live in two different cities in Canada. So they start a long distance relationship, which seems to be working except that Jonah is not willing to tell people that Neil is his boyfriend, which brings up all sorts of conflict between the pair, getting us back to Jonah’s self-loathing issues. But eventually this issue is resolved…

Why my rating is not higher: While I enjoyed the character of Neil, who seemed like a down-to-Earth guy you’d love to take home to Mom. Jonah, on the other hand, was dour and depressing. I felt like he needed a good session on a shrink’s couch to work through his issues prior to being in ANY serious relationship, not just with Neil. This overwhelming feeling of sadness permeated throughout the book and I just couldn’t get into the plot because of that.

Also, there is a lot of French Canadian slang in the novel (I now know how to curse in it). However, because of the confusing slang, I kept having to use my Kindle dictionary for some of the terms or phrases which my college French did not prepare me for. While it added a tone and setting to the book – as obviously Jonah and Neil weren’t Americans or Europeans – it did little to move the plot along. (Jonah’s background was French Canadian). But for those of us who don’t understand the region or language, it threw me out of the plot every time I had to translate a sentence or word from Franglais. I know the author wanted to give a flavor of this region, but it was a little too much at times.

However, there were some good points to the book. First, I loved Neil’s little brother David. He was cute, funny, and conflicted about his own sexuality (he liked being the submissive in a D/s relationship) and this subject matter was dealt with in a responsible manner that showed just how close Neil and David are. I certainly hope David gets his own book as I’d like to read more about his struggles. Second, the supporting characters were well-written and three dimensional. I especially enjoyed Jonah’s cousin, Rita-Anne, who loved and stood by Jonah – no matter what. That showed that not every person in Jonah’s family was an idiot. Third, Neil and Jonah’s relationship was sweet, flawed, but sweet. Their gradual progression from friends into lovers seemed natural, organic and very believable.

To summarize: Despite not being able to give Broken Rules a higher rating, I do think that many readers in this genre will enjoy the book. For those who love an angst-driven hero, Jonah is just right for you. Add in the fact, Jade Buchanan is a talented writer who tells a complex and intense tale is a bonus. I am very interested in the next installment in this series and overall think the book had some good points despite a few niggles.

Reviews by Jessewave
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gabbi.
395 reviews2 followers
January 10, 2013
http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/

4.25 Kisses!

If you follow my reviews you know that I love to read a best-friends-to-lovers themed romance. Jade Buchanan is not a new author for me. I’ve read several books by her and enjoyed all of them, so when I had the opportunity to read and review Broken Rules, I immediately jumped at the chance of reading it.

Jonah has been trying to run from the pain of his past. Ten years ago, his parents found out he was gay and kicked him out of the house. Hurt and scared, Jonah left town without looking back. Now, he has built a good life as a social worker who helps troubled kids, but he’s not been able to get past the pain of his parents betrayal. When he is told his mother has passed away, Jonah finds himself back at his hometown. He is greatly troubled by the unsaid things to his mother as well as being around family and friends that always seem to bring up hurtful memories, but he is determined to attend the funeral despite these fears.

When Jonah runs into his childhood best friend, Neil, he has conflicted emotions about how he feels about it. Neil doesn’t know that Jonah is gay and although it’s been comforting to be around his friend again, Jonah finds himself attracted to his heterosexual friend. But things are not always as they seem and soon Jonah is faced with the truth of Neil’s sexuality and having to deal with past hurts. Will he be able to work through his past so he can experience a once in a lifetime love again?

I really liked this book a lot. At time, Jonah is almost crippled emotionally from the pain of his past. This has caused him to be distrustful when it comes to love and romance. Once he sees Neil again, Jonah must face his fears, and with the support and unconditional love and friendship he gets from Neil and family members, his past hurts start to heal, and Jonah really begins to be a whole person.

Neil is also a character that I really liked. I respected his determination to help Jonah as well as his devoted friendship he has for his friend. I also enjoyed how Neil allowed Jonah to heal at his own pace, while being supportive and loving toward him. I really liked these two men together and enjoyed watching their friendship develop into something special. I also enjoyed the relationship Neil had with his own family and how they welcomed Jonah into their lives with open arms. Through their acceptance and love and from Jonah’s cousin, Jonah once again begins to have a relationship with a family that he’s been missing all along.

Even though there is some angst in this book, I didn’t think it was overdone. Ms. Buchanan did a great job of keeping the storyline balanced between light and heavy moments that kept the story moving smoothly along without it being bogged down with too much drama. I also really loved the emotional connection between Neil and Jonah and found myself really rallying behind their relationship in hopes that everything would turn out okay.

Beautifully told and well written, Broken Rules is a romance that really captured the feelings of love, hope and acceptance. This is the first book in the ‘Broken’ series. I hope *crosses fingers* that Neil’s brother will have his own story in the future and I’m looking forward to reading more about these characters in the future.
Profile Image for Dee.
1,426 reviews
June 12, 2011
Book reviewed for The Romance Reviews - original review can be found here - The Romance Reviews - Broken Rules

Can your first love be your true love?

Returning home after ten years of being away, Jonah is unsure of what he will find following the death of his mother. His best friend growing up, Neil, is there to provide him with support through the tough time he is going through, but could there possibly be something more between the two of them? Jonah has always felt something for Neil, but is unsure whether it is reciprocated. But now he is going to find out.

This was the first book that I have read by Jade Buchanan and it definitely won't be the last. I was intrigued about the premise from just reading the description. I have to admit that I'm always a sucker for the first time love, returning home type story…I guess it's that fairytale dream of always finding your true love, or in the words of one of my favorite movies, "Twu Wuv" (The Princess Bride).

Jonah was a character that I felt like I could connect with. While I am not in the same situation that he found himself in, I did leave home at about the same age as him and have only been back once in the last twelve years and he is returning home for the first time in ten years. Then there is Neil, Jonah's best friend growing up, they were the kind of friend that you wish your son or daughter could have in life, until Jonah left town. Now he is back, a Police diver and looking to re-establish his friendship and maybe more with Jonah.

But like with all romance novels, there has to be a source of conflict, for Jonah and Neil, it is the fact that they're on the opposite side of Canada to each other. Jonah has his work as a social worker and Neil is limited in his location by where there are diving units. It's a good thing that this is the first book in a trilogy because I can't wait to see what happens between the two of them in later books.

I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars, but will be on the look-out for more books by Ms. Buchanan in the future.
Profile Image for Suze.
3,890 reviews
January 22, 2015
This is an enjoyable, light story about two boyhood friends meeting again 10 years after high school - and exploring a new friendship.
Jonah had been disowned by his parents at 18 and left town to start a life in Calgary, and he is still dealing with the aftermath of that experience. He is out but has had no lasting relationships and hides in his work. The death of his mother has brought him home.
Neil has come home to support Jonah even though they haven't seen each other for 10 years. Neil was Jonah's high school crush. Neil is now a plice officer and is openly bisexual.
The story is how they come to know about each other, their fledgling relationship and how it progresses when they are 3000 miles apart. Jonah's insecurities are fairly deep set and form the basis of the turmoil in the book.
Profile Image for Mandy*reads obsessively* .
2,197 reviews341 followers
October 24, 2012
I read these two stories out of order, it didn't really matter, but I do understand some of the people from book two better now.
So, I get Jonah was kicked out by his parents and left town, I also get he was afraid of what his friends would think of him being gay, but to have no contact with your BFF seems wierd, I mean email or something once in a while, but nope nothing in 10 years.
But Neil comes home to be with Jonah when his mother passes, and things heat up between them.
This is a very long and slowly flowing story of these two finding there way back into each others lives.
Despite the storyline there really isn't any drama or angst, it's just a nice story.
Profile Image for Donna Tunney.
39 reviews6 followers
March 7, 2012
I don't usually read this genre, but Jade Buchanan is such a fine writer I've devoured several of her books. This one is a departure from her usual light style. Sure, it still has her signature humor, but delivers a potent message, as well. Broken Rules deals with loss, and prejudice--universal themes everyone can relate to. And Buchanan does it with finesse. She doesn't bash you over the head. It's a story about family, and love, and how sometimes the two don't seem to mesh. At least, not the way you'd wish. A definite recommend.
Profile Image for Gwengwel.
524 reviews21 followers
June 9, 2011
You didn't understood the French sentence used in this book? Me too. And I'm a Quebecois. Wrong translation, wrong tense, wrong geography and misuse of cuss.

The book's not bad, a little long but sweet. Jonah talk of him like he is an old man when he is only 28 years old and Neil's a little dull.

I saw on the writer site that the second is about Rick and the third about David, I admit that I want to know more about David than Rick.
Profile Image for Christine.
10.7k reviews33 followers
July 11, 2016
ARC review For honest review . I found this a story of great lose and love. Johan was kicked out by his parents for being guy and his friend Neil's family except him .so when they go back home for Johan mother's funeral they become lover after 10years apart. And the town is excepting of them both.
Profile Image for Maki2011.
68 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2012
まあまあ。
可もなく不可もなく。心揺さぶられることもなく。
切なくもならん。

でも母親の手紙はよく読むと結構きつい。
主人公よく平気だなあ。

しかし表紙の写真、どっちがどっちだかさっぱりわからん。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kallunnah.
50 reviews
September 10, 2012
It never managed to draw me in. The mc took himself too seriously and it was just no fun. I don't expect a laugh a minute, but there was no payoff for the drama.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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