Break Me Out

Face the Music #2

by Avery Kingston

THEO

I'm a prisoner in my own body.

After my sister brutally outed me, I didn't handle it well. In fact, I nearly died by my own hand.

They say I'm lucky to be alive, but I don't feel so fortunate. I lost everything. My boyfriend, my social status, my music, my sister, and my freedom.

Now, I'm trapped. Locked in a mansion full of secrets, under my insane mother's control.

And it's all my fault.

GRANT

I'm a prisoner of my own mind.

Thanks to combat, I can't hold a steady job. I can't relax with my back to the door. I can't get a restful night's sleep. And nearly two years ago, I let a man die in front of me.

Or so I thought. Now I have discovered he's still alive, although a shell of who he used to be.

And I still can't keep my filthy hands off him.

Only the ghosts of the desolate hallways know the shocking truth—I'm the reason for Theo's downfall.

Now, bound by guilt and a twisted connection, I must become Theo's savior.

And he can never know it's all my fault.

Break Me Out is the second book in the Face the Music series and can be read as a standalone. It is a gritty, contemporary twist of the classic fairytale Rapunzel that will question the limits of human endurance and the power of redemption. Intended for a mature audience. See forward for content guidelines.

Genres: M M Romance

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2023

About the author

Avery Kingston writes sexy, emotional romance featuring wounded characters at a high heat level.

Avery is a wife to a man who’s demons play well with hers. Mom to a slew of crazy kids. Dog lover. Crazy cat lady. Artist. Free spirit. Lover of unusual beauty. Fitness junkie. Collector of boots and fonts. Angsty drama addict and avid wearer of yoga pants.

Avery is a military wife and a sucker for a good wounded hero story. She set out to write stories where the leading characters were smart, sexy, confident and strong. Avery began writing the type of romance novels she would want to read. Stories about real couples, wounded either physically or emotionally, with an open door into their steamy bedroom.

Avery loves to hear from her readers! Please contact her at averyjkingston@gmail.com

Avery loves to be social. Follow Avery on Facebook
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Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh it’s here Theo and Grant! I have been looking forward to this book ever since I read Take Me Down which was Kennedy (Theo’s sister) and Silas’s book! (If you haven’t read that already I highly suggest that). While reading this book I felt like I was on the journey with Theo and Grant. Their growth individually and as a couple was beautiful! They are opposites but have SO much love to give and love each other so deeply. I absolutely loved catching up with Kennedy and Silas as well. I felt all the feelings reading this book!

Avery is an amazing storyteller and makes it so easy to picture it all as you read and really immerse yourself in the story. Another 5 star read by Avery and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so freaking good that I had it read in less than 8 hours. Theo is sweet and intelligent but also can be bratty. Grant is selfish and manipulative but fiercely loyal and protective. Grant is definitely a character that you hate to love and love to hate. Both Theo and Grant have flaws that were a matter of upbringing. Theo’ s tendency for brattiness was due to his mother keeping constant control, while Grant’s questionable life choices were taught to him mostly by his father. They both experience great traumas in their lives and together learn to overcome. I cannot wait to see what may come next. If you love love stories with a bit of trauma and intensity this is definitely a book for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[thespicybooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo and Grant are everything I was hoping they would be! They broke my heart and then managed to put it back together again. I was so involved in Theo and Grant's story, I did not want to put the book down. Break Me Out is an emotional ride and absolute perfection.

Also, make sure you check out Avery's playlist for Break Me Out on Spotify. I am 100% obsessed with it. The Rolling Stones 'She's A Rainbow' will never be the same. ❤️

[Book Boyfriend Whoarder Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great summer read!

An authentic gay romance full of heart, humor and heat!

Theo as a character shined brightly throughout. His growth through the story was amazing to read.

Kingston never shies away from the realities of the struggles they put their characters through. It is one thing I admire of them as an author, the authenticity.

Highlighting Theo’s new reality may not be romantic but it is the depth of it that as a reader I can appreciate and relate to.

If there was ever a redeemable character it would be Grant. His journey to his HEA was deserved completely. Who can resist an alpha who will not only have your back but hold it tenderly as well? Swoon.

Being able to visit some old friends is always the cherry on top of the sundae!

If you need a grumpy/sunshine MM read that will engross you completely, this one is it.

[T Rojo]

Dnf at 50% I give up.

I absolutely loved Take me Down and dropped everything to read this because I was dying to know what happened to Kennedys brother.

Is it possible for a character to have too much of a backstory?
50% in and the plot hasn’t been realized yet. There would be some progress and then another tangent-info dump- about one of the characters.

Are we looking for Kennedy?
Are we seeking revenge on the mom?
Are we falling in love?

Like pick something at this point. I cant see everything being resolved in the other 1/2 of the book without coming off ridiculously unrealistic or rushed.

[Ashley Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery really knows how to write a book from her characters to her storyline. I didn’t want this book to end!

The unconventional way they met to the mother that I absolutely couldn’t stand from the very beginning. Two people that would normally come together find a way. You feel every emotion in this book. I wanted to cry right along with the characters. Theo’s. heartbreaking emotions he goes through tore my heart out. My favorite parts were when Theo was giving Grant his attitude it was hilarious and so fitting for the character. I need more of these characters there is so much more to come for these two and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo is a pampered gay heir to a fortune. Grant is a felon who steals, often. When drinking they meet and Theo has a stroke, disabling him. Grant comes to work at Theo's estate where Theo is a virtual prisoner. They become friends, then more. Theo is spoiled and willful but pretty innocent. Grant is cynical and gruff, not very likable at first. But they fit together and this book is about their growth and changing as they fall in love. There are parts not wrapped up until another book but their love is not left hanging. I had to keep reading this book, I was addicted to their story, trials and tribulations. I received a copy of this book through BookSprout and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An excellent story about the growth of two very different men, with a whole lot of obstacles in their way. Their struggles to move forward were incredibly different, and they stumbled and fell a lot (sometimes literally) but that made it the touching realistic feeling book that this is. Theo's stroke and its aftermath was really well portrayed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Choose You

‘I wanted all the fing pain and pleasure rolled up into one, perfect package. This was the man that could give it all to me. The criminal and the carer. The storm and the calm. Because you can’t have the dark without the light. The Devil and God were merely two sides of the same face.’

There is so much heart in Avery Kingston’s Break Me Out, along with joy and pain, yet the balance of this magnificent author’s storytelling is having us fall in love with her fallible characters.

Theo was in a place where his mother controlled every component of his life. Grant was just trying to survive, after accidentally causing Theo’s physical condition.

What no one counted on was the strength that each could gain from the other. Grant was terrified of Theo learning the truth of the accident that caused him to have a stroke, so tried to support Theo without becoming emotionally attached.

With actions being taken by his mother, Theo needed to decide if he would continue to live in a state of being constantly monitored or live his own life-with Grant.

Sounds like a simple choice, yet we all know that often choices are not that simple.

Grant is a knight in leather and chrome, not shining armor, but Theo realizes just how important his life is with Grant in it. When it comes down to a choice…love wins!

[Pinar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I was the jailbird who was free. He was the songbird who was caged."

A grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, age gap romance between a disabled musician and a down-on-his-luck artist/thief.

Theo (24) has lived a privileged life as the stepson of an English baron and the only child of an overbearing and controlling mother. Grant (35), a veteran suffering from PTSD, has been released on parole after serving time for theft. Their paths cross on a fateful December evening, when Theo suffers a near-fatal stroke. Re-united 18 months later, they embark on a mission to free Theo from his mother's control and find his missing stepsister Kennedy.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster from the very beginning. As the plot unfolded, I found myself identifying with both characters in different ways. Their romance was hard won and their happily ever after, well deserved.

I look forward to reading the conclusion to the series, which will have more of Theo and Grant (as well as Kennedy and Silas from the first book in the series).

Content warning: PTSD, death, suicide, bullying, abuse, traumatic brain injury.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldnt wait to read the next part of the story - Theos life, his struggles and falling for Grant (or is it the other way around?!?).

As always Avery Kingston has outdone herself and pouring her heart and soul into the story. It was definitely worth the wait. Both characters are so well written, that you easily connect with them, you cry, feel (with) them but also laugh a lot. I totally fell for both of them. It is amazing to explore how they start to change their life and becoming the men they are supposed to be. The story shows, that sometimes you just need someone to help you find your way. There are different ways to break out of habits, selfmade and imposed cages, thoughts, body limits as well as real places and the bad ones in your head. You may struggle but you have to trust your instincts and also accept help from others (a kick in the butt can also be very helpful) to achieve what you want.

You will also read some more of Kennedys background and her life, and as a bonus, Silas is also there ;) I recommend to read "Take me down" first, even if Theos story can be read as standalone.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo and Grant are both in need of change given the way their lives have gone. Theo is a spoiled rich boy and Grant is not living a good life either. The circumstances that got them together initially left both a bit damaged and now Theo is basically a prisoner at his family's home and Grant comes to work there. It gives them the chance to cross paths again, to have the time to fall in love and most importantly to grow into better people as they become a couple. There are growing pains, they have a distance to travel, but their story and the bumps and bruises they experience along the way was engaging. I am now going back to read Kennedy and Silas' story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Theo and Grant. The author does a fantastic job developing their story and brings out all the feels as she takes them through all the obstacles they need to hurdle over. She paints her scenes beautifully and moves the story fluidly delivering a terrific read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo and Grant’s story has everything you’d need in a great romance. I loved the growth they both showed throughout the book. The humor and love in the book was heartwarming. The appearance of Silas and Kennedy was welcome. Looking forward to the next in the series. This is an awesome addition to the series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A well written book with strong characters and a fluid storyline. The MC's growth throughout makes this a fantastic read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two men who couldn't be more different, Theo is pampered and spoiled and Grant is jaded and feel nothing in his life will go right. They both need to be more open and know their worth. I didn't know if I was going to enjoy this book but it's one of the best story I've read.

[Steph W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since reading Take Me Down, I have been anxiously awaiting Theo's book, and it was everything! Theo and Grant's story was unlike anything I have read before. From their original meeting, through their emotional journey together, and to their well-deserved HEA, I could not put this book down. Avery has such a talent for making a reader feel every emotion on every page. I found myself with tears in my eyes, and then five minutes later laughing out loud.

What an added bonus getting to catch up with Silas and Kennedy a bit too. I love them! If you haven't read their story, grab Take Me Down and start there. I think you will have an even bigger appreciation for Break Me Out.

"I was the jailbird who was free. He was the songbird who was caged."

5 amazing stars!

[juli✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I can’t promise you a grand life, love, but what I can give you is all of me,” he whispered in my ear.

[szreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with you Avery. I need the next book expeditiously LOL