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Embrace #3
Broken Embrace
The Past…
As childhood sweethearts, Brian and Melissa's plans were simple: finish school, get married, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, life didn’t go as planned. Melissa went away to college, and Brian married her best friend.
The Present…
Seventeen years have passed and Brian's stable family life has come crashing down around him. His wife’s a cheater, his teenage daughter is hiding things from him and Melissa is back in town to remind him of what he lost all those years ago.
Melissa's returned home, ready to forgive and focus on her future, but that all changes the day she gets a desperate phone call from Brian’s daughter, Erin. Thrown back into Brian’s tumultuous life, Melissa struggles to move beyond the pain of his broken promise.
The Future…
While working together to save Erin from the evil web she’s caught in, Melissa and Brian fight to fix the past or face losing each other all over again.
As childhood sweethearts, Brian and Melissa's plans were simple: finish school, get married, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, life didn’t go as planned. Melissa went away to college, and Brian married her best friend.
The Present…
Seventeen years have passed and Brian's stable family life has come crashing down around him. His wife’s a cheater, his teenage daughter is hiding things from him and Melissa is back in town to remind him of what he lost all those years ago.
Melissa's returned home, ready to forgive and focus on her future, but that all changes the day she gets a desperate phone call from Brian’s daughter, Erin. Thrown back into Brian’s tumultuous life, Melissa struggles to move beyond the pain of his broken promise.
The Future…
While working together to save Erin from the evil web she’s caught in, Melissa and Brian fight to fix the past or face losing each other all over again.
345 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2014
26 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Dana Mason
12 books776 followersDana Mason started writing about fifteen years ago after being overwhelmed by a story that wouldn’t let her sleep until she wrote it down. The story, Dangerous Embrace, was published in 2012 and won Best Mystery/Suspense from eFestival of Words Best of Independent eBook Awards in 2014. Dangerous Embrace is the first book in her Embrace Series. The second book in the series, Precious Embrace, was Runner-Up for Best Hero from eFestival of Words Best of Independent eBook Awards that same year. Her third book, Broken Embrace, was awarded Best Indie Book in 2015 in the Romance Category.
Dana loves turning your worst nightmares into happy endings. She lives in Northern California with her husband, children, and her writing companion and mighty protector, Mia the Chihuahua.
Dana loves turning your worst nightmares into happy endings. She lives in Northern California with her husband, children, and her writing companion and mighty protector, Mia the Chihuahua.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 8, 2016
I would have liked this story better if the h wasn't so soft and forgiving towards the H and his wife and actually married a nice man and had a couple of kids herself rather pining for the man who cheated on her and got the ow pregnant
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2022
cheating heaven
hero cheats on heroine 1 with heroine 2
heroine 2 cheats on hero
heroine 1 cheats on om with hero
hero cheats on heroine 1 with heroine 2
heroine 2 cheats on hero
heroine 1 cheats on om with hero
July 5, 2022
Is this a joke? Hero cheats and marries heroines best friend, but he resents her and blames her for not contacting him etc? Sickening. Also the making amends and forgiveness from the heroine? Being friends with the two that betrayed you? Her sister also seemed to forgive the cheaters pretty easily. I think we are meant to see Ali, the sister as a sweet and sensitive soul who cares for everyone. But all I saw was a self righteous, meddling woman who put other people feelings before her sister’s (ah it all makes sense now, as from reviews I have read Ali is the main character from the second book who cheated on her childhood sweetheart and left him).
Also, Melissa crawling into his bed and comforting him when he was asleep and grieving was weird.
Some snippets to show what an ass the hero was!
"I'm sorry about Melissa," Julie said, staring again at that pale strip. "She's going to hate us both."
"It doesn't matter now, Jules. This isn't about Melissa or anyone else. It's about us and our family." He rubbed at the spot where the ring used to sit on his finger. "I don't want to talk about her, and I don't want you to worry about it."
"Okay." She looped her hand through his arm and relaxed against him with a heavy exhale. "I won't worry if you don't."
There is more:
"Go to hell, Brian. They matter to you now only because you're living it now. You never cared until you got hit in the face with your own—"
"You're wrong. You have no idea." He brushed a hand at her, his heart racing now. As if she knew anything about how he felt. "Don't pretend to know my feelings, especially when you wouldn't even have a conversation with me for seventeen years."
"If you wanted to have this conversation then you would've tried before you married Julie."
"So…what? Now? You wanna do this now, Melissa? You want to hash this shit out today?" He shook his head, his anger flaring. "Fucking hell, let's do it, because I sure don't remember my phone ringing all those years ago."
"Are you kidding me?" Her eyes grew wide. "Why would I call you? You married someone else. Married! What would we have talked about? You're fucking wedding colors?"
"I'm just saying, those phone lines go both ways, you know."
(Are you fucking kidding me?)
The heroine being treated like an intruder at the cheater/ex best friends funeral, who she made amends with:
Melissa took a couple of deep breaths to pull herself together. When she looked up, Mr. Hammel locked on her gaze. "I apologize, Melissa. Brian's right. This wasn't your fault, but I wonder if it's wise for you to be here."
"I'm sorry?" she said, not sure what he meant. "Why shouldn't I be here?"
"I wonder how Julie would feel about it."
A brick dropped into her stomach. Brian's parents had always been at the top of her list of favorite people. They'd been such a huge part of her life growing up, Greg often stepping in as a substitute father after her daddy had died. Why wouldn't they want her here?
"Julie and Melissa mended their friendship," Ali said, stepping to Melissa's side. "Julie would want her here, and I know the kids are glad she's here."
‘ Melissa remembered a simpler time, a time when she, Julie, and Brian had spent all their time together. They were such good friends, but not once had Melissa thought they would ever betray her. She never questioned Brian and Julie's friendship or loyalty until she got the call from Ali telling her they'd gotten married.’
Also, Melissa crawling into his bed and comforting him when he was asleep and grieving was weird.
Some snippets to show what an ass the hero was!
"I'm sorry about Melissa," Julie said, staring again at that pale strip. "She's going to hate us both."
"It doesn't matter now, Jules. This isn't about Melissa or anyone else. It's about us and our family." He rubbed at the spot where the ring used to sit on his finger. "I don't want to talk about her, and I don't want you to worry about it."
"Okay." She looped her hand through his arm and relaxed against him with a heavy exhale. "I won't worry if you don't."
There is more:
"Go to hell, Brian. They matter to you now only because you're living it now. You never cared until you got hit in the face with your own—"
"You're wrong. You have no idea." He brushed a hand at her, his heart racing now. As if she knew anything about how he felt. "Don't pretend to know my feelings, especially when you wouldn't even have a conversation with me for seventeen years."
"If you wanted to have this conversation then you would've tried before you married Julie."
"So…what? Now? You wanna do this now, Melissa? You want to hash this shit out today?" He shook his head, his anger flaring. "Fucking hell, let's do it, because I sure don't remember my phone ringing all those years ago."
"Are you kidding me?" Her eyes grew wide. "Why would I call you? You married someone else. Married! What would we have talked about? You're fucking wedding colors?"
"I'm just saying, those phone lines go both ways, you know."
(Are you fucking kidding me?)
The heroine being treated like an intruder at the cheater/ex best friends funeral, who she made amends with:
Melissa took a couple of deep breaths to pull herself together. When she looked up, Mr. Hammel locked on her gaze. "I apologize, Melissa. Brian's right. This wasn't your fault, but I wonder if it's wise for you to be here."
"I'm sorry?" she said, not sure what he meant. "Why shouldn't I be here?"
"I wonder how Julie would feel about it."
A brick dropped into her stomach. Brian's parents had always been at the top of her list of favorite people. They'd been such a huge part of her life growing up, Greg often stepping in as a substitute father after her daddy had died. Why wouldn't they want her here?
"Julie and Melissa mended their friendship," Ali said, stepping to Melissa's side. "Julie would want her here, and I know the kids are glad she's here."
‘ Melissa remembered a simpler time, a time when she, Julie, and Brian had spent all their time together. They were such good friends, but not once had Melissa thought they would ever betray her. She never questioned Brian and Julie's friendship or loyalty until she got the call from Ali telling her they'd gotten married.’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2022
Maybe 2.5*. This book left me exhausted and depressed and I'm not sure how to rate it. The long separation (17 years) and cheating galore weren't managed with a deft hand, with the characters either deluded or just unpleasant. Throw in the side plot of abuse and H's daughter and it was all a bit of a mess. I didn't read the first 2 books in the series so, I'm not sure if that had any impact on my experience.
There are 3 types of cheating here, one in the past, 2 in the present. And it all left me very muddled. While we're expected to believe that the H had loved the h all along and hadn't forgotten her, we were also expected to understand his love and his grief for his wife and his lack of regret over the course his life had taken. One must suffer, the other moves through the loss and creates a family and a loving relationship. I think you can guess which one suffers and which one has a loving relationship.
The h's constant lamenting of lost time with her bff (H's deceased wife) and the H himself didn't ring true. Yes life is short and while one may forgive and move on. You can have a cordial and pleasant relationship but I'm not sure how many would want to be best pals again with 2 people who, even if young at the time, had caused such profound unhappiness.
There were times, where the portrayal of complex and mixed feelings were well demonstrated. Life isn't black and white, feelings can be complex and intertwined and hard to explain. Those glimpses of realism is what I suspect I found so depressing. I like my love stories a little more black and white.
There are 3 types of cheating here, one in the past, 2 in the present. And it all left me very muddled. While we're expected to believe that the H had loved the h all along and hadn't forgotten her, we were also expected to understand his love and his grief for his wife and his lack of regret over the course his life had taken. One must suffer, the other moves through the loss and creates a family and a loving relationship. I think you can guess which one suffers and which one has a loving relationship.
The h's constant lamenting of lost time with her bff (H's deceased wife) and the H himself didn't ring true. Yes life is short and while one may forgive and move on. You can have a cordial and pleasant relationship but I'm not sure how many would want to be best pals again with 2 people who, even if young at the time, had caused such profound unhappiness.
There were times, where the portrayal of complex and mixed feelings were well demonstrated. Life isn't black and white, feelings can be complex and intertwined and hard to explain. Those glimpses of realism is what I suspect I found so depressing. I like my love stories a little more black and white.
Read
April 9, 2024Not even going to try to review this. It came up in a FB group and no one had read it, I volunteered and powered through the OTT mess.
Read other reviews for some semblance of a synopsis.
It’s book 3 in a series, I’d suggest reading the other books, there’s a strange dynamic between all the characters.
It’s a weird second chance and almost a love triangle between high school sweethearts and the wife he married because of ONS they had while the love of his life, high school sweetheart is away. It’s 17 years later... 17 years later, I just can’t.
Spoiler...for those with safety issues, this isn’t remotely safe... by 10% the wife is dead, she was having an affair with a teacher/coach that abused her daughter.
Read other reviews for some semblance of a synopsis.
It’s book 3 in a series, I’d suggest reading the other books, there’s a strange dynamic between all the characters.
It’s a weird second chance and almost a love triangle between high school sweethearts and the wife he married because of ONS they had while the love of his life, high school sweetheart is away. It’s 17 years later... 17 years later, I just can’t.
Spoiler...for those with safety issues, this isn’t remotely safe... by 10% the wife is dead, she was having an affair with a teacher/coach that abused her daughter.
December 5, 2017
3 stars. Torn about this. H cheated on h and then married OW because she got pregnant. Did I mention OW was her BFF? They were married for 17 years and he LOVED her. So that’s my dilemma. Author captured my attention with her writing but the betrayal of the H just couldn’t be overlooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
9/24
My review below was early in my cheating reads "career" and I was just happy to find a cheating themed book to read. Now? I hated the heroines sister bc seriously if my boyfriend and best friend cheated, got pregnant and got married I'd expect my sister to hate them, too. Ali? Hell no, get over it girl! And while you're at it support ME! Seriously though, all the other characters were just awful. Where is your loyalty to your sister, friend etc. Also the drama with the daughter was a bridge too far. I know there needed to be some suspense bc this is romantic suspense, but that was toooooo mmmuuchh DRAMA and made everything get all muddled. So, keeping the rating bc if you're brave enough to write a cheating romance in this climate, then I'll give you a pass.
Writing was so so, I think that's why all the drama came across as stupid.
Really enjoyed this, spent about 10 days looking for it bc I forgot the title AND author, but I eventually found it. Now I make sure I use GRs features a little more stringently 😀
My review below was early in my cheating reads "career" and I was just happy to find a cheating themed book to read. Now? I hated the heroines sister bc seriously if my boyfriend and best friend cheated, got pregnant and got married I'd expect my sister to hate them, too. Ali? Hell no, get over it girl! And while you're at it support ME! Seriously though, all the other characters were just awful. Where is your loyalty to your sister, friend etc. Also the drama with the daughter was a bridge too far. I know there needed to be some suspense bc this is romantic suspense, but that was toooooo mmmuuchh DRAMA and made everything get all muddled. So, keeping the rating bc if you're brave enough to write a cheating romance in this climate, then I'll give you a pass.
Writing was so so, I think that's why all the drama came across as stupid.
Really enjoyed this, spent about 10 days looking for it bc I forgot the title AND author, but I eventually found it. Now I make sure I use GRs features a little more stringently 😀
June 11, 2014
Oh my goodness! Broken Embrace is every bit as suspenseful as its two predecessors. And the suspense is gut-wrenching and very relevant. But I think it's the romance that gives Broken Embrace a completely different feel. Maybe because I couldn't help but feel Melissa and Brain really deserved their second chance. Maybe because I felt Brian's young family deserved some happiness as well. Whatever it was, I was racing through to see what would happen.
Melissa Parker has loved Brian Hammel her whole life. It was supposed to be the two of them forever. So she was understandably devastated when Brian married their best friend, Julie, with no explanation. It's taken a long, long time for Melissa to recover but she finally was able to move on - to open her heart tom someone else. And to reconnect with Julie and her kids - but not quite with Brian. When certain events bring to light Julie's betrayals, Melissa knows she has to be there to support Brian and his children.
Brian Hammel, whom I'd met in the two previous installments, is a man dedicated to his job as a cop, and dedicated to his family. So Julie's betrayal comes as quite a shock to him. At first, he wants to wallow in his own pain. But with Melissa's help, he realizes he needs to be present for his children. As Brian works towards rebuilding his family, he realizes he has a rare second chance to put everything right with Melissa as well.
Witnessing the turmoil and the joy as these two find their way back to one another was heartbreaking and soul-mending. These two souls, whom fate chose to keep apart for so long, had quite the journey back. And although I wouldn't wish on anyone the events that brought them back together, I was elated that fate gave them a second chance.
Brian's kids, Erin and Cody, were big parts in the story - especially Erin. Ms. Mason did an excellent job of developing them. I appreciated that because the relationship between their dad and Melissa affected them and I was glad they were considered. Watching Erin's struggles with the secrets she was hiding broke my heart. It's difficult enough being a teenager, but to add on keeping her mother's secret as well as her own was really challenging. Erin was very brave though and did what she felt she had to in order to protect others from suffering.
I think this may be my favorite in the series so far. I can't put my finger on the why - maybe the character growth? - but Broken Embrace resonated differently in me. The story pulled me in and held me in its grip til the end. And I'm quite curious to see who the next installment will focus on.
**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Melissa Parker has loved Brian Hammel her whole life. It was supposed to be the two of them forever. So she was understandably devastated when Brian married their best friend, Julie, with no explanation. It's taken a long, long time for Melissa to recover but she finally was able to move on - to open her heart tom someone else. And to reconnect with Julie and her kids - but not quite with Brian. When certain events bring to light Julie's betrayals, Melissa knows she has to be there to support Brian and his children.
Brian Hammel, whom I'd met in the two previous installments, is a man dedicated to his job as a cop, and dedicated to his family. So Julie's betrayal comes as quite a shock to him. At first, he wants to wallow in his own pain. But with Melissa's help, he realizes he needs to be present for his children. As Brian works towards rebuilding his family, he realizes he has a rare second chance to put everything right with Melissa as well.
Witnessing the turmoil and the joy as these two find their way back to one another was heartbreaking and soul-mending. These two souls, whom fate chose to keep apart for so long, had quite the journey back. And although I wouldn't wish on anyone the events that brought them back together, I was elated that fate gave them a second chance.
Brian's kids, Erin and Cody, were big parts in the story - especially Erin. Ms. Mason did an excellent job of developing them. I appreciated that because the relationship between their dad and Melissa affected them and I was glad they were considered. Watching Erin's struggles with the secrets she was hiding broke my heart. It's difficult enough being a teenager, but to add on keeping her mother's secret as well as her own was really challenging. Erin was very brave though and did what she felt she had to in order to protect others from suffering.
I think this may be my favorite in the series so far. I can't put my finger on the why - maybe the character growth? - but Broken Embrace resonated differently in me. The story pulled me in and held me in its grip til the end. And I'm quite curious to see who the next installment will focus on.
**I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
April 23, 2014
I've read and loved both the previous books in this series, Dangerous Embrace and Precious Embrace and I think that this one is the best one. Mason plunges the readers immediately into the action with some pretty shocking twists really early on in the book. From that point on, it is just addicting. As always, the writing is smooth, elegant and engaging. The characters are wonderfully complex, the "good guys" both flawed and lovable and the "bad guys" so subtly chilling they will make your skin crawl. Then there are a couple of characters who fall somewhere in between--characters who I thought would be really hard for an author to pull off believably and Mason just nails it. There is plenty of suspense to keep you turning pages. There is also what I cannot live without in any book and that's emotional depth. I was rooting so hard for Brian and Melissa. Mason really teases you with this one and just when you think that things are wrapping up, there is more excitement and more twists to come. As always there are wonderfully written steamy sex scenes as well. Mason's got it all and she absolutely delivers! This book was awesome. Don't waste anymore time, get it! And while you're at it, grab her other two in this series--you won't be disappointed.
April 18, 2014
Author Dana Mason’s, Broken Embrace, is a double-barreled assault on both your heart and nerves. Simultaneously poignant and electrifying, this third installment in the Embrace Series catapults the reader into the characters’ heart-wrenching tale of first love, broken promises, and the ultimate betrayal. How else could you describe it when your best friend steals the man who promised to marry you?
Seventeen years later, Melissa finally returns home to face the man who shattered her heart and hopefully put the whole ordeal behind her. But while the pain feels as fresh as ever, the love has endured, and Melissa finds herself still pining for the one that got away.
The only way to heal for good is to stay away from Brian, but, as his idyllic life and marriage disintegrate, Brian’s teenage daughter drags Melissa back in, desperately seeking her help when she’s snared in a scandalous web of danger and duplicity. It’s all too much as Brian struggles to cope with his wife’s deception and unexpected death, while also confronting his unresolved feelings for Melissa and his daughter’s hellish ordeal.
Seduced by Mason’s dynamic prose and emotional sensitivity, Broken Embrace effortlessly engages the reader into a vortex of pain and treachery, of enduring love and unfulfilled dreams, of hope and second chances, while dealing with every woman’s greatest fear and every man’s worst nightmare. And yet, the story, steeped in reality and authenticity, manages to deftly maneuver the reader into the land of happily-ever-after. This book will strike fear in your heart while it wrings out every emotion. Do not even think of missing it.
Seventeen years later, Melissa finally returns home to face the man who shattered her heart and hopefully put the whole ordeal behind her. But while the pain feels as fresh as ever, the love has endured, and Melissa finds herself still pining for the one that got away.
The only way to heal for good is to stay away from Brian, but, as his idyllic life and marriage disintegrate, Brian’s teenage daughter drags Melissa back in, desperately seeking her help when she’s snared in a scandalous web of danger and duplicity. It’s all too much as Brian struggles to cope with his wife’s deception and unexpected death, while also confronting his unresolved feelings for Melissa and his daughter’s hellish ordeal.
Seduced by Mason’s dynamic prose and emotional sensitivity, Broken Embrace effortlessly engages the reader into a vortex of pain and treachery, of enduring love and unfulfilled dreams, of hope and second chances, while dealing with every woman’s greatest fear and every man’s worst nightmare. And yet, the story, steeped in reality and authenticity, manages to deftly maneuver the reader into the land of happily-ever-after. This book will strike fear in your heart while it wrings out every emotion. Do not even think of missing it.
May 5, 2018
This is another terrific book in the Embrace Series, I couldn’t put it down. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book. The story is heartbreaking, heartfelt, and hopeful. The author expertly draws the reader in, while slowly building the suspense and anticipation. There is something for everyone in this story.
April 29, 2021
Where's the romance????
According to Amazon there's romance:
#9,276 in Romantic Suspense (Kindle Store)
#10,697 in Romantic Suspense (Books)
#20,926 in Contemporary Romance (Kindle Store)
November 28, 2025
4.5/5 🌟
So my tastes on books run towards the angsty side. That may include cheating, unrequited love, rejection or just missed opportunities. This book seemed interesting to me as the heartbreak / cheating happened years in the past when the characters were 18 so I was hoping for a good second chance romance with a lot of maturing and redemption from the past. That's definitely what I got from this book.
Melissa and Brian were best friends and high school sweethearts. They planned to get married one day and Melussa hesitated about leaving Brian to go off to College. As soon as she left Brian got married to their other mutual marriage and Bruan didn't even have the courtesy to tell her when they got married as she thought they never broke up nor did he tell her the reason.
Melissa eventually moves back to their hometown forgives her friend but not Brian. Melissa acts like a second mother to their teenage daughter. Brian gets the cold shoulder though.
Brians wife leave him for their daighters swim coach and dies in a car accident after grabbing her things from their home. The swim coach is married though and their relationship was hidden from his wife.
In this tragedy he decides he needs to make smends with Melissa and tell her the why to why he married their friend. He also is determined to wrong the rights of the past and win Melissa back as he swears he never stopped loving her.
This is romantic suspense so interspersed with the drama of Brian and Melissa's second chance on love, there's an ex stalking Melissa and the teenage daughter being blackmailed.
So my tastes on books run towards the angsty side. That may include cheating, unrequited love, rejection or just missed opportunities. This book seemed interesting to me as the heartbreak / cheating happened years in the past when the characters were 18 so I was hoping for a good second chance romance with a lot of maturing and redemption from the past. That's definitely what I got from this book.
Melissa and Brian were best friends and high school sweethearts. They planned to get married one day and Melussa hesitated about leaving Brian to go off to College. As soon as she left Brian got married to their other mutual marriage and Bruan didn't even have the courtesy to tell her when they got married as she thought they never broke up nor did he tell her the reason.
Melissa eventually moves back to their hometown forgives her friend but not Brian. Melissa acts like a second mother to their teenage daughter. Brian gets the cold shoulder though.
Brians wife leave him for their daighters swim coach and dies in a car accident after grabbing her things from their home. The swim coach is married though and their relationship was hidden from his wife.
In this tragedy he decides he needs to make smends with Melissa and tell her the why to why he married their friend. He also is determined to wrong the rights of the past and win Melissa back as he swears he never stopped loving her.
This is romantic suspense so interspersed with the drama of Brian and Melissa's second chance on love, there's an ex stalking Melissa and the teenage daughter being blackmailed.
June 2, 2014
I was given this book to read in turn for an honest review!!!
This is the third book in the Embrace Series and my favourite by far, I really couldn’t put this book down I was hooked!
Dana Mason gets you right into the action from the second chapter, the story has endless twists and I loved every one of them. Right until the last chapter Dana does not disappoint.
Brian and Melissa are childhood sweethearts; they had their whole future planned however life had other plans for them. Its seventeen years later, Melissa is back in town, Brian finds out he didn’t actually know his wife and his daughter has secrets. After a tragic accident Brian and Melissa find themselves working together to Save his Daughter. Can they mend the past or will they face losing each other all over again….
I felt every emotion in this book, I screamed at the characters sometimes, I felt broken hearted by life’s turn of events but most of all I loved it!!! Its one of those books that you can’t get out of your head, it leaves you with one hell of a book hangover, and you won’t be disappointed. The writing is brilliant, it’s flowing, easy to read and really brings out each of the characters personalities and emotions, and you feel like your living the whole twist of events with them.
Wondered what happened to some of the previous characters from books #1 and #2? Dana keeps us up to date in Broken Embrace, you feel like your part of the group of friends too. Thank you Dana Mason, maybe an Embrace #4? I sure hope so…
May 1, 2021
Yes .this book touches one of the sensitive topic of abuse of children,but my interest was in the so called romantic angle too.A pathetic ,weak heroine and an indifferent hero being shoved down the throat as soulmates..Suddenly both OM and OW of 17 years are made to look bad so that the so called lovers are together The heroine completely ignores the OM who she is engaged to and follows the zero like a lost puppy as soon as soon as his wife is out,sleeping in his marital bed without a second thought.A hero who is constantly telling anyone who listens how much he loves his dead wife. H now has a chance with h because he is now alone and hence anyone will do and heroine is the only dormat available to him.I completely understood the OM's frustration with h as she expects him to accept that she will stay with H at his house and wear his clothes and not question her at all.I think this H and h diserve each other as pathetic as they are...With a strong topic of child abuse and child porn this story would have been really good had we seen a strong heroine taking on the mantle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2014
I received this book for an honest review. First and foremost I want to say that this is the first book I have read of Dana Mason. Second I will say that although this is the 3rd book in the series I was able to read it as a standalone and enjoy it immensely. Although you do learn a little about the secondary characters and it does make me want to go back and read the previous two stories.
I felt as though this was an outstanding, emotional, and beautiful story. This story hits really close to home with a subject matter that I felt was handled in the best way. That subject is pedofiles and how trusting we are with our kids and their teachers. This was an amazing story of love and family and how important both are... This just absolutely blew me away as a reader....AMAZING
I felt as though this was an outstanding, emotional, and beautiful story. This story hits really close to home with a subject matter that I felt was handled in the best way. That subject is pedofiles and how trusting we are with our kids and their teachers. This was an amazing story of love and family and how important both are... This just absolutely blew me away as a reader....AMAZING
February 14, 2019
Way too much drama. Not enough substance.
July 23, 2019
This is book is the third book in the Embrace series by Dana Mason. It features Brian, the lead detective from the previous two books, and Ali’s twin sister, Melissa.
There is a lot of history between these two. Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts. But when Melissa went off to college, Brian and her best friend Julie slept together and ended up getting pregnant. Brian did the right thing and married Julie.
Melissa had no idea about their one time hookup until after Brian and Julie were married. She was shattered emotionally from the betrayal. Seventeen years later Julie is fed up with Brian. Instead of telling him the problems she has with his constant work schedule, she goes against her better judgement and begins an affair with a teacher at her daughter, Erin’s, high school. Brian comes across the two of them while on patrol. And when he goes to question her at home that night, she walks out on him and the family. Not long later, Brian’s partner, Johnny Rhay comes to the door to tell him that his wife was in a car accident. She died later at the hospital.
Melissa and Julie had only recently mended their broken friendship and now with her gone, Melissa isn’t sure what is right? Now that Brian is available … could they possibly have a chance at love? There are a number of obstacles keeping them apart; one of which is the secret Erin is keeping from them all concerning her water polo coach who had been dating her mother.
This book contained tons of action and confrontations. If you are triggered by violence, you might want to refrain from reading this. A number of the characters get the crap beat out of them. But it is totally worth the read if you have a mind for it. The author said this was her favorite story of the trio and I have to agree that this one has the juice to make you wish for more future books. The author also said she plans to write more books in the Embrace series featuring Shane, one of Mark’s security guys and Erin and Matty from this book. So, I look forward to those. I am excited.
I am in awe of how complex the storylines are in these books. And the characterization is out of this world amazing. You will find this is a master class in character building and motivations. Check this series out and I know you will be thirsting for more.
Highly recommended.
There is a lot of history between these two. Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts. But when Melissa went off to college, Brian and her best friend Julie slept together and ended up getting pregnant. Brian did the right thing and married Julie.
Melissa had no idea about their one time hookup until after Brian and Julie were married. She was shattered emotionally from the betrayal. Seventeen years later Julie is fed up with Brian. Instead of telling him the problems she has with his constant work schedule, she goes against her better judgement and begins an affair with a teacher at her daughter, Erin’s, high school. Brian comes across the two of them while on patrol. And when he goes to question her at home that night, she walks out on him and the family. Not long later, Brian’s partner, Johnny Rhay comes to the door to tell him that his wife was in a car accident. She died later at the hospital.
Melissa and Julie had only recently mended their broken friendship and now with her gone, Melissa isn’t sure what is right? Now that Brian is available … could they possibly have a chance at love? There are a number of obstacles keeping them apart; one of which is the secret Erin is keeping from them all concerning her water polo coach who had been dating her mother.
This book contained tons of action and confrontations. If you are triggered by violence, you might want to refrain from reading this. A number of the characters get the crap beat out of them. But it is totally worth the read if you have a mind for it. The author said this was her favorite story of the trio and I have to agree that this one has the juice to make you wish for more future books. The author also said she plans to write more books in the Embrace series featuring Shane, one of Mark’s security guys and Erin and Matty from this book. So, I look forward to those. I am excited.
I am in awe of how complex the storylines are in these books. And the characterization is out of this world amazing. You will find this is a master class in character building and motivations. Check this series out and I know you will be thirsting for more.
Highly recommended.
April 22, 2018
A story of lost love and a second chance to get it right, it has suspense which keeps the story interesting. It was a very complex read for me leaving me torn between Melissa and Brain getting their second chance but what about his family. Yes his wife cheated but for the love they started with that make their children isn’t it work trying to work out. The children always seem to get the worst end. I loved the twists and turn which held my attention as well as how the author played out the plot with the bad guys. The picture I had in my mind was very chilling.
What it must be like to love a man with all your heart and him you only to have him marry your best friend. As the years go by you come to forgive the best friends and be there for her and her children but you just can’t bring yourself to reconnect to the man you have only loved. Fast forward a few years to find that friend cheated on her husband and being there for the children when the fall out comes.
Brian is a wonderful father and husband he is a cop and that does take a lot of his time. He is devastated when he finds out his wife is cheating. There are only so many choices you can make. With a little help from his ex he knows he must be there for his children. As things happen he finds he still has feeling for his ex.
It is truly a heart wrenching read with the reader being torn so many ways. The suspense is great at times I was left holding my breath to see the outcome. I really enjoyed the story and the characters but still feel a little torn over a family breaking up and two old loves coming back together. I did like how the author laid out the plot for Erin and Cody the outcome very much affected them. Erin's struggle is just heartbreaking and really pulls on your heart strings. I thought it was a great story that I enjoyed very much. I thought a lot of thought went into the writing, it was well laid out and a very touching read.
******************
What it must be like to love a man with all your heart and him you only to have him marry your best friend. As the years go by you come to forgive the best friends and be there for her and her children but you just can’t bring yourself to reconnect to the man you have only loved. Fast forward a few years to find that friend cheated on her husband and being there for the children when the fall out comes.
Brian is a wonderful father and husband he is a cop and that does take a lot of his time. He is devastated when he finds out his wife is cheating. There are only so many choices you can make. With a little help from his ex he knows he must be there for his children. As things happen he finds he still has feeling for his ex.
It is truly a heart wrenching read with the reader being torn so many ways. The suspense is great at times I was left holding my breath to see the outcome. I really enjoyed the story and the characters but still feel a little torn over a family breaking up and two old loves coming back together. I did like how the author laid out the plot for Erin and Cody the outcome very much affected them. Erin's struggle is just heartbreaking and really pulls on your heart strings. I thought it was a great story that I enjoyed very much. I thought a lot of thought went into the writing, it was well laid out and a very touching read.
******************
April 22, 2018
I don’t know how it is possible, but Broken Embrace was phenomenal! The first two books in the Embrace Series were amazing! Dark, gritty,raw... oh hell, I could go on and on... however, nothing compared me for this kick in the face!
I was so excited to read Brian and Melissa’s story! They had been childhood sweethearts; however, when Melissa went off to college, Brian married her best friend without a word - no break-up and no closure. For seventeen years, Melissa carried deep-seated resentments towards them both.
Just when Melissa and Julie started to piece their friendship back together, Brian discovered Julie was having an affair. From that moment on, a series of tragic events started rolling its way through their lives.
Dana Mason is a masterful storyteller and she tackles difficult subject matter in a graceful way. The victims in her stories are not victims, they are courageous overcomers, survivors!
I truly feel black and blue after reading this series, especially so by this last book. I ugly cried, more than once... I smiled, and laughed a few times. Mostly, I felt deeply. It is not often that an author can get so far under my skin, but this just happened! I know that these dark, ugly things are happening every day in our world. I don’t live in a bubble, after all. I am thankful that there are authors who bring these icky subjects to light, even if it is a work of fiction, there is a lot of reality steeped in the subject matter.
This series has triggers readers need to be aware of - sexual assault, physical assault, child pornography, and even murder. Read with caution - if you can get past the triggers, you will not be disappointed!
I was so excited to read Brian and Melissa’s story! They had been childhood sweethearts; however, when Melissa went off to college, Brian married her best friend without a word - no break-up and no closure. For seventeen years, Melissa carried deep-seated resentments towards them both.
Just when Melissa and Julie started to piece their friendship back together, Brian discovered Julie was having an affair. From that moment on, a series of tragic events started rolling its way through their lives.
Dana Mason is a masterful storyteller and she tackles difficult subject matter in a graceful way. The victims in her stories are not victims, they are courageous overcomers, survivors!
I truly feel black and blue after reading this series, especially so by this last book. I ugly cried, more than once... I smiled, and laughed a few times. Mostly, I felt deeply. It is not often that an author can get so far under my skin, but this just happened! I know that these dark, ugly things are happening every day in our world. I don’t live in a bubble, after all. I am thankful that there are authors who bring these icky subjects to light, even if it is a work of fiction, there is a lot of reality steeped in the subject matter.
This series has triggers readers need to be aware of - sexual assault, physical assault, child pornography, and even murder. Read with caution - if you can get past the triggers, you will not be disappointed!
April 21, 2014
http://ripeforreader.blogspot.com/201...
My rating: 5 of 5 ⭐️
Seventeen years ago Brian Hammel married his best friend and broke the heart of the love of his life. Since then his job as police detective has started to wear on him, his wife gave up on their family and left him with their two kids and too many questions to manage. On top of that, the woman who has never been far from his mind, Melissa, is back in town and apparently knows more about what goes on with his wife and his daughter than he does.
After years of nursing her hurt and anger after getting her heart broken, Melissa Parker had returned to be at her twin sister's side when her little boy had been missing six months ago, and was finally ready to leave the past where it belonged. With her sister finally blessed with the life she deserved, Melissa was ready for her own slice of happiness and she hoped long time boyfriend Chase could provide at least part of the dream. But seeing Brian again only confirmed that her heart had already been given a long time ago.
When tragedy leaves Brian's family in turmoil, his daughter Erin seems to be especially troubled and Melissa is the one person she clings to most. Doing her best to be a good friend and not let the feelings of the long ago rejection still affect her, Melissa tries to help Brian keep his family together and his daughter safe. But she is not prepared to find out some truths about their history together, nor is she ready to lose herself to him all over again...... or is she?
*****
Another FABULOUS novel by Dana Mason. Her stories so gut-wrenching and emotional, with beautiful but often complex love stories fraught with painful human weakness, mistakes and harsh realities, and always with an element of intrigue and suspense centering around the group of recurring characters who work in law enforcement and security.
In BROKEN EMBRACE we meet Brian whose life is upended from one day to the next. Very little of his perception of reality was how others in his life saw or experienced it. Brian is a very duty bound man, trying to do right by his family, his job, but somewhere along the line losing the real connection. And then suddenly it is too late. He sees everything slowly slipping away, job, children - until Melissa appears, like a hard reality check, waking him up.
Melissa who is not a negative person, struggles with understandable negative feelings of bitterness, jealousy and envy and it clouded her life for a long time. She though she had it all and then lost it, never knowing why or how. With everyone around her finding their place and match, she is ready to find hers, but in her haste to get it, she is too willing to overlook some crucial missing ingredients. Only her renewed proximity to Brian reminds her that missing component is vital.
There are some disturbing elements in this book that really hit home in this age of social media and the power it holds. The potential damage in can cause and lives it can ruin. Scary.....and unfortunately very real. One of the reasons this story struck a chord on an entirely different level as well. It illustrates how vulnerable we all are, how difficult it is to truly know, trust, anyone these days. Chilling..... and so very real.
I had to sit on this review for a few days, and let it simmer. Ms. Mason writes in a way that is deceptively easy to read, but demands closer scrutiny because the contents and context of her stories are not as simple as they may appear at first sight. Sure, they are romantic, exciting, hot and extremely sexy, and definitely scary and thrilling but you sell them short if you don't appreciate the challenge of the many moral issues touched on as well. Not that simple at all. But damn! So worth the read!!
✨A sharp, chilling and provocative read!✨
**Copy provided in return for an honest review.**
My rating: 5 of 5 ⭐️
Seventeen years ago Brian Hammel married his best friend and broke the heart of the love of his life. Since then his job as police detective has started to wear on him, his wife gave up on their family and left him with their two kids and too many questions to manage. On top of that, the woman who has never been far from his mind, Melissa, is back in town and apparently knows more about what goes on with his wife and his daughter than he does.
After years of nursing her hurt and anger after getting her heart broken, Melissa Parker had returned to be at her twin sister's side when her little boy had been missing six months ago, and was finally ready to leave the past where it belonged. With her sister finally blessed with the life she deserved, Melissa was ready for her own slice of happiness and she hoped long time boyfriend Chase could provide at least part of the dream. But seeing Brian again only confirmed that her heart had already been given a long time ago.
When tragedy leaves Brian's family in turmoil, his daughter Erin seems to be especially troubled and Melissa is the one person she clings to most. Doing her best to be a good friend and not let the feelings of the long ago rejection still affect her, Melissa tries to help Brian keep his family together and his daughter safe. But she is not prepared to find out some truths about their history together, nor is she ready to lose herself to him all over again...... or is she?
*****
Another FABULOUS novel by Dana Mason. Her stories so gut-wrenching and emotional, with beautiful but often complex love stories fraught with painful human weakness, mistakes and harsh realities, and always with an element of intrigue and suspense centering around the group of recurring characters who work in law enforcement and security.
In BROKEN EMBRACE we meet Brian whose life is upended from one day to the next. Very little of his perception of reality was how others in his life saw or experienced it. Brian is a very duty bound man, trying to do right by his family, his job, but somewhere along the line losing the real connection. And then suddenly it is too late. He sees everything slowly slipping away, job, children - until Melissa appears, like a hard reality check, waking him up.
Melissa who is not a negative person, struggles with understandable negative feelings of bitterness, jealousy and envy and it clouded her life for a long time. She though she had it all and then lost it, never knowing why or how. With everyone around her finding their place and match, she is ready to find hers, but in her haste to get it, she is too willing to overlook some crucial missing ingredients. Only her renewed proximity to Brian reminds her that missing component is vital.
There are some disturbing elements in this book that really hit home in this age of social media and the power it holds. The potential damage in can cause and lives it can ruin. Scary.....and unfortunately very real. One of the reasons this story struck a chord on an entirely different level as well. It illustrates how vulnerable we all are, how difficult it is to truly know, trust, anyone these days. Chilling..... and so very real.
I had to sit on this review for a few days, and let it simmer. Ms. Mason writes in a way that is deceptively easy to read, but demands closer scrutiny because the contents and context of her stories are not as simple as they may appear at first sight. Sure, they are romantic, exciting, hot and extremely sexy, and definitely scary and thrilling but you sell them short if you don't appreciate the challenge of the many moral issues touched on as well. Not that simple at all. But damn! So worth the read!!
✨A sharp, chilling and provocative read!✨
**Copy provided in return for an honest review.**
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Broken Embrace is the third book in Dana Mason's Embrace series, but each book can be read as a standalone. This one was a second chance love story filled with suspense and drama. There was a lot going on, and a lot of things happened. This one was fast paced, and even though it read pretty quickly I felt like there was just a ton of things packed in to this story and it ended up seeming rushed to me. I did think that Brian and Melissa were great together though, and I really believed that they deserved their second chance at love.
Brian and Melissa were childhood sweethearts that had made a promise of forever after high school. When Melissa left for college Brian was upset and turned to their best friend Julie for comfort. One thing led to another and Brian and Julie wound up married and pregnant. Now seventeen years later Brian and Julie have two children together and Melissa has returned to town. Even though Melissa and Brian and Julie are trying to repair their friendships, things haven't been easy. But when Brian's life suddenly comes crashing down, he turns to Melissa for help. As Brian and Melissa help to get through everything going on, they begin to reconnect and realize that their feelings for each other have never changed. Can they put their past behind them and move forward with a second chance at love or will there be too many obstacles for them to overcome?
I liked Brian and Melissa. I felt like they had always been right for each other and that Brian had made a horrible mistake. He did try to do right by Julie and he loved her the best he could. You could tell that he really loved his kids and that he didn't regret anything except for how things went down with Melissa. Melissa had been through a lot, and she had never been told the whole truth of what happened all those years ago. I felt badly for her because she had suffered through the betrayal of those closest to her and she never even knew exactly what changed. I did think that Melissa was looking for something stable and because of her wanting a husband and family so bad, she was completely blinded by what a jerk her boyfriend Chase was. She was willing to settle for him and it took her forever to wake up and see how awful he was. I think that Brian and Melissa had a great connection despite everything that had happened, and they were great with how they handled things with his kids.
I do think that this story just had too much going on though. It was hard to really get behind everything that was happening because it was so rushed. I think that it was written well, and that the main characters were easy to like and relate to for the most part. But I had wished that there wouldn't have been as much drama packed into this book. I also had trouble with most of the secondary characters. While they all had their moments that I liked them, for the most part they came off as opinionated and judgmental. They tended to be easily provoked and stuck their noses into business that wasn't theirs. I really just wanted to smack a lot of them and tell them to shut their mouths on more than one occasion. I think they meant well, but I think their actions came across too pushy and some were flat out rude. I think that this book would have been much easier for me to get behind had things been split into more books or if there was less going on. It just didn't feel real to me with the way it was. I think it was a good story and then events that happened were real and easy to believe it was just the amount and timeline that I struggled with. I think if you like suspense and some drama and angst with your romance, you should give this one a shot. I would read more from Mason in the future, and look forward to reading more of this series.
**ARC Provided by Book Plug Promotions**
Broken Embrace is the third book in Dana Mason's Embrace series, but each book can be read as a standalone. This one was a second chance love story filled with suspense and drama. There was a lot going on, and a lot of things happened. This one was fast paced, and even though it read pretty quickly I felt like there was just a ton of things packed in to this story and it ended up seeming rushed to me. I did think that Brian and Melissa were great together though, and I really believed that they deserved their second chance at love.
Brian and Melissa were childhood sweethearts that had made a promise of forever after high school. When Melissa left for college Brian was upset and turned to their best friend Julie for comfort. One thing led to another and Brian and Julie wound up married and pregnant. Now seventeen years later Brian and Julie have two children together and Melissa has returned to town. Even though Melissa and Brian and Julie are trying to repair their friendships, things haven't been easy. But when Brian's life suddenly comes crashing down, he turns to Melissa for help. As Brian and Melissa help to get through everything going on, they begin to reconnect and realize that their feelings for each other have never changed. Can they put their past behind them and move forward with a second chance at love or will there be too many obstacles for them to overcome?
I liked Brian and Melissa. I felt like they had always been right for each other and that Brian had made a horrible mistake. He did try to do right by Julie and he loved her the best he could. You could tell that he really loved his kids and that he didn't regret anything except for how things went down with Melissa. Melissa had been through a lot, and she had never been told the whole truth of what happened all those years ago. I felt badly for her because she had suffered through the betrayal of those closest to her and she never even knew exactly what changed. I did think that Melissa was looking for something stable and because of her wanting a husband and family so bad, she was completely blinded by what a jerk her boyfriend Chase was. She was willing to settle for him and it took her forever to wake up and see how awful he was. I think that Brian and Melissa had a great connection despite everything that had happened, and they were great with how they handled things with his kids.
I do think that this story just had too much going on though. It was hard to really get behind everything that was happening because it was so rushed. I think that it was written well, and that the main characters were easy to like and relate to for the most part. But I had wished that there wouldn't have been as much drama packed into this book. I also had trouble with most of the secondary characters. While they all had their moments that I liked them, for the most part they came off as opinionated and judgmental. They tended to be easily provoked and stuck their noses into business that wasn't theirs. I really just wanted to smack a lot of them and tell them to shut their mouths on more than one occasion. I think they meant well, but I think their actions came across too pushy and some were flat out rude. I think that this book would have been much easier for me to get behind had things been split into more books or if there was less going on. It just didn't feel real to me with the way it was. I think it was a good story and then events that happened were real and easy to believe it was just the amount and timeline that I struggled with. I think if you like suspense and some drama and angst with your romance, you should give this one a shot. I would read more from Mason in the future, and look forward to reading more of this series.
**ARC Provided by Book Plug Promotions**
June 12, 2014
Audience:
18 & over.
Characters:
Melissa Parker: Journalist, Photographer. She's strong but broken at the same time. She's just trying to move forward with her life, mending broken friendships and making up for lost time.
Brian Hammel: A police Detective with a jealousy problem and a need to claim his territory. He's hot, he's hot-tempered, territorial and demanding but he's also sweet, caring and protective.
Secondary: Erin & Cody, Brian's children. Ali & Johnny, Melissa's sister and her fiance, who is also Brian's partner. Mark, Brian's friend and Melissa's ex-brother-in-law. Julie, Brian's wife and Melissa's former best friend. Chase, Melissa's fiance. Mr. Jeffries, Erin's teacher and harasser. Matty Wilson, Erin's friend and secret crush.
The Plot:
When detective Brian Hammel's life begins to fall apart in front of his very eyes he finds himself turning to his first and only true love, who also just happens to be the victim of his broken promises. When his secretive teenage daughter seeks out Melissa's help and his wife commits the ultimate betrayal can they find their way back to each other or will all the troubles surrounding them prove to be too much to handle?
The Feels:
You may or may not be surprised to hear that I over-scheduled myself this week on my blog and had full intention of reading all three books in this series before writing this review but, after realizing that each book could be read as a stand alone, I decided to just read what was necessary for this blog tour stop. Yeah, I'm going to start Dangerous Embrace first thing in the morning, and probably head right into reading Precious Embrace. This book was SO GOOD!!
I don't often read romantic suspense but Dana Mason just might be the author that changes that for me. I really, really liked everything about this story. I hated to love Brian and his broken promises to Melissa. Their story just goes to prove that sometimes timing is everything and true love always finds a way. More than the romance though I loved suspense aspect of this book. It's a really nice change of pace to have more going on in the story than just two people trying to navigate their way through a relationship. I really enjoyed the story line with Erin and reading as she dealt with what her mother did and what she was going through herself. At certain points she dealt with the truth of it all in a more mature manner than the adults.
This books gave me all of the feels and I cannot wait to dive back into the series to see what I've missed out on. I look forward to reading more from Dana Mason in the future.
The Writing:
I was drawn into this story from the very first page straight through to the final page. I read in one sitting. The story is written in 3rd person and gives you insight into what each character was going through.
Quotes:
"Melissa...I regret hurting you, but I don't regret being with you or falling in love with you."
"What's one more broken promise from you, Brian Hammel?"
"Let me love you, Lissa. It's all I'e ever wanted. We've waited too long. I'll beg if I need to."
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
18 & over.
Characters:
Melissa Parker: Journalist, Photographer. She's strong but broken at the same time. She's just trying to move forward with her life, mending broken friendships and making up for lost time.
Brian Hammel: A police Detective with a jealousy problem and a need to claim his territory. He's hot, he's hot-tempered, territorial and demanding but he's also sweet, caring and protective.
Secondary: Erin & Cody, Brian's children. Ali & Johnny, Melissa's sister and her fiance, who is also Brian's partner. Mark, Brian's friend and Melissa's ex-brother-in-law. Julie, Brian's wife and Melissa's former best friend. Chase, Melissa's fiance. Mr. Jeffries, Erin's teacher and harasser. Matty Wilson, Erin's friend and secret crush.
The Plot:
When detective Brian Hammel's life begins to fall apart in front of his very eyes he finds himself turning to his first and only true love, who also just happens to be the victim of his broken promises. When his secretive teenage daughter seeks out Melissa's help and his wife commits the ultimate betrayal can they find their way back to each other or will all the troubles surrounding them prove to be too much to handle?
The Feels:
You may or may not be surprised to hear that I over-scheduled myself this week on my blog and had full intention of reading all three books in this series before writing this review but, after realizing that each book could be read as a stand alone, I decided to just read what was necessary for this blog tour stop. Yeah, I'm going to start Dangerous Embrace first thing in the morning, and probably head right into reading Precious Embrace. This book was SO GOOD!!
I don't often read romantic suspense but Dana Mason just might be the author that changes that for me. I really, really liked everything about this story. I hated to love Brian and his broken promises to Melissa. Their story just goes to prove that sometimes timing is everything and true love always finds a way. More than the romance though I loved suspense aspect of this book. It's a really nice change of pace to have more going on in the story than just two people trying to navigate their way through a relationship. I really enjoyed the story line with Erin and reading as she dealt with what her mother did and what she was going through herself. At certain points she dealt with the truth of it all in a more mature manner than the adults.
This books gave me all of the feels and I cannot wait to dive back into the series to see what I've missed out on. I look forward to reading more from Dana Mason in the future.
The Writing:
I was drawn into this story from the very first page straight through to the final page. I read in one sitting. The story is written in 3rd person and gives you insight into what each character was going through.
Quotes:
"Melissa...I regret hurting you, but I don't regret being with you or falling in love with you."
"What's one more broken promise from you, Brian Hammel?"
"Let me love you, Lissa. It's all I'e ever wanted. We've waited too long. I'll beg if I need to."
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
June 19, 2014
This is book 3 in the Embrace Series and can be read as a stand alone, but the characters in the first two books are still in this series in book 3. Also, we are introduced to Brian in book one and Melissa in book 2. I suggest reading all three books.
I gave this book 5 stars.
What do you do when the love of your life marries your best friend? You get angry and hostile and you hate them both. But that only lasts for so long. Melissa was suppose to marry her high school sweetheart, they had it all planned out, but then she goes away to college and leaves Brian alone. He feels like he was betrayed in some way. Why couldn't she have gone to college closer so they could still be together and start a family? They both do things that they are not proud of. Now that is the past. The present-- She has come home to be closer to her family and forgive Jules and Brian. Is she strong enough to be there for him when his life comes crashing down around him?
Brian finds out his wife is a cheater and his teenage daughter starts to hide things from him. He is lost with the way his life has turned out, he is devastated. Things happen that can't be changed and leaves Brian alone. Can he survive this?
I love this series, it is fast paced and leaves you on the edge of your seat with each page you turn. This is my second favorite book in the series. I really loved this story, it broke my heart and I could feel her pain. I wanted to cry with her. I definitely felt her hostility I would have done the same. It takes a very strong woman to go through what she did. Dana writes some awesome leading women. It takes an even stronger woman to forgive, and that is what she does.
Brian has his reasons for doing what he did. But is that enough to rectify what happened? I love this man and I am so glad I got to know him in the first two book so I wasn't as hard on him as if I just picked up the book and was like this is Brian. He was one of my favorite characters. And Brian loves hard! With his whole heart and his whole soul. These two together are fire and beautiful sparkly fireworks!!! This book will have you crying, and believing in second chances. Just when you think life has nothing left to give, you're surprised at where it leads you. Thank you for another beautiful book Dana! I can't wait to read your next !! <3
September 10, 2016
You must read this series!
I read all three books in a row and loved them all! Dana does a great job in making you feel with the characters do. I recommend you have a box of tissues handy when you read this book!
All three books are about second chances at love, but this one is about a second chance with your first love, the one you can never forget. Seventeen years ago Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts. When they graduated Melissa moved to New York for college and Brian stayed behind. The next thing Melissa knows is that Brian married her best friend, Julie, without even breaking up with her. Needless to say, she was brokenhearted and had a really hard time moving on. While Brian has been building a life with his wife and kids and building a career as a police detective, Melissa has been away from her hometown trying to build a life for herself. Now Melissa is back and has mended fences with Julie.
Tragedy strikes and Julie is killed in a car accident, but not before Brian finds out that she was cheating on him. Brain is devastated and Melissa steps in to help with his kids. What Melissa doesn't know is the reason why Brian married Julie and that he has never been able to forget her. Spending so much time together makes it impossible to deny their feelings for each other. Brian needs to deal with his failed relationship with Julie before he can move on with Melissa, but before he has a chance to do just that, Brian learns that the man who was having an affair with his wife has been sexually harassing his teenage daughter. Brain needs some time allow to process all of this and asks Melissa for a few days alone. Days turn into weeks and Melissa in convinced that Brian's feelings for her weren't real. What she doesn't know is that he does not want to make the same mistakes he made with his wife and wants everything is place before he goes to her again.
I don't want to give more away than I already have, but there are many serious issues of sexual harassment and domestic violence in this series of books. I think the author does a great job of portraying what abused women go through and how they can feel that it is all their fault. I love the way she shows that you can overcome it and that their is nothing to be ashamed of.
I give it 4.5 stars!
I received an complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I read all three books in a row and loved them all! Dana does a great job in making you feel with the characters do. I recommend you have a box of tissues handy when you read this book!
All three books are about second chances at love, but this one is about a second chance with your first love, the one you can never forget. Seventeen years ago Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts. When they graduated Melissa moved to New York for college and Brian stayed behind. The next thing Melissa knows is that Brian married her best friend, Julie, without even breaking up with her. Needless to say, she was brokenhearted and had a really hard time moving on. While Brian has been building a life with his wife and kids and building a career as a police detective, Melissa has been away from her hometown trying to build a life for herself. Now Melissa is back and has mended fences with Julie.
Tragedy strikes and Julie is killed in a car accident, but not before Brian finds out that she was cheating on him. Brain is devastated and Melissa steps in to help with his kids. What Melissa doesn't know is the reason why Brian married Julie and that he has never been able to forget her. Spending so much time together makes it impossible to deny their feelings for each other. Brian needs to deal with his failed relationship with Julie before he can move on with Melissa, but before he has a chance to do just that, Brian learns that the man who was having an affair with his wife has been sexually harassing his teenage daughter. Brain needs some time allow to process all of this and asks Melissa for a few days alone. Days turn into weeks and Melissa in convinced that Brian's feelings for her weren't real. What she doesn't know is that he does not want to make the same mistakes he made with his wife and wants everything is place before he goes to her again.
I don't want to give more away than I already have, but there are many serious issues of sexual harassment and domestic violence in this series of books. I think the author does a great job of portraying what abused women go through and how they can feel that it is all their fault. I love the way she shows that you can overcome it and that their is nothing to be ashamed of.
I give it 4.5 stars!
I received an complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2018
This was my favourite embrace novel from this series! It was a second chance romance, between Brian and Melissa. I felt this story wasn't as suspenseful as the first two, but still mysterious and had great plot twist that I didn't see coming. But I also feel like some things were left unfinished but within reason, the character wasn't able to get those answers, so neither was the reader. I loved Brian with his kids, Erin and Cody. His emotions were so well written that I was able to feel them like they were my own. Melissa was so strong and the exact type of person the Hammel family needed. Great book and I truly loved it. I wish there was more!
June 19, 2014
I knew this series would lead me to a 5 star review !! The synopsis had me with the past , present future bit !! I am a sucker for the childhood sweetheart thing and especially when a huge chunk of time has gone by and they are finally brought back together !! This book has that and so much more !!
Melissa came back to town when her twin sister , Ali's baby was kidnapped. We know get Melissa's story. I LOVE MELISSA !! Love the background, Melissa and Brian , Ali and Mark childhood sweethearts suppose to go on and live happily ever after married with children. We know this happened for Ali and Mark , though it did not last , but why not Melissa and Brian ?? Well in the midst of this childhood fourseome came Julie....best friend to all but also a very lonely girl.
Melissa goes off to school but her and Brian plan to stay together and pick up where they left off in a matter of years. That is until Julie steps in....now in the present we have Brian and Julie married for 17 years with 2 great kids ?? Melissa has been gone for 17 years and now back they have to face their ruined relationships and try to salvage them best they can. In the meantime things are happening with Brian's daughter Erin that only Melissa knows about. Brian's life is slowly falling apart and all Melissa can do is watch while she tries to finally build a happy relationship with Chase. Not so easy once Brian catches his wife cheating and then loses her in an accident. I mean talk about twists and turns , I swear this all happens in the first few chapters.
This story has so many parts to it. Brian cannot pick up the broken pieces of his life without Melissa's help , she is more than willing to oblige. This leads them to many heart to heart conversations and some admissions that may finally piece together the past 17 years and bring them to a new beginning. The bigger story comes towards the end....Erin's story is heartbreaking. What she went through , what she saw , secrets she kept and finally when it all comes to a head and the truth comes out. We see this whole gang come together to help this family heal and find happiness.
Melissa came back to town when her twin sister , Ali's baby was kidnapped. We know get Melissa's story. I LOVE MELISSA !! Love the background, Melissa and Brian , Ali and Mark childhood sweethearts suppose to go on and live happily ever after married with children. We know this happened for Ali and Mark , though it did not last , but why not Melissa and Brian ?? Well in the midst of this childhood fourseome came Julie....best friend to all but also a very lonely girl.
Melissa goes off to school but her and Brian plan to stay together and pick up where they left off in a matter of years. That is until Julie steps in....now in the present we have Brian and Julie married for 17 years with 2 great kids ?? Melissa has been gone for 17 years and now back they have to face their ruined relationships and try to salvage them best they can. In the meantime things are happening with Brian's daughter Erin that only Melissa knows about. Brian's life is slowly falling apart and all Melissa can do is watch while she tries to finally build a happy relationship with Chase. Not so easy once Brian catches his wife cheating and then loses her in an accident. I mean talk about twists and turns , I swear this all happens in the first few chapters.
This story has so many parts to it. Brian cannot pick up the broken pieces of his life without Melissa's help , she is more than willing to oblige. This leads them to many heart to heart conversations and some admissions that may finally piece together the past 17 years and bring them to a new beginning. The bigger story comes towards the end....Erin's story is heartbreaking. What she went through , what she saw , secrets she kept and finally when it all comes to a head and the truth comes out. We see this whole gang come together to help this family heal and find happiness.
June 20, 2014
BROKEN EMBRACE gives us a second chance romance with some suspense mixed in.
Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts who had their life together planned out. But everything changed when Melissa went away to college and a drunken night out with a mutual friend lead to a new family for Brian. Seventeen years later Brian's world falls apart and it's Melissa who helps he put back the pieces of his family and the life he let go of.
I really liked Brian in PRECIOUS EMBRACE (book 2 in the Embrace series). He was a guy who would do what he needed to for his life long friends. He was a guy who protected his own. So it was hard to find him falling apart in BROKEN EMBRACE. His marriage to Julie had fallen apart and then he fell apart just when his kids needed him. But I could also understand how the stress of finding out everything you believed it may not have been in reality could cause him to spiral downward. He gets his act together pretty quickly and becomes that man I knew he was, protecting his loved ones no matter what.
Melissa was a bit different than when we were introduced to her in PEFECT EMBRACE too. She and Brian definitely had hostility towards each other, even though we didn't know why, but it was strange to find out Melissa had reconnected with Brian's wife Julie after everything that had happened. If she was going to be openly hostile to Brian, she should have been just as hostile to Julie. The both broke her heart, but it she was more willing to forgive Julie than she was Brian. That was hard to understand to me and didn't endear her to me. But I liked how, despite what she might be feeling for Brian, she was there for him and his kids, when they needed her. That had to have been incredibly hard, and it took a level of bravery I don't think I would have possessed.
I liked the twist and turns with the story, especially the very creepy swim coach. Dana Mason did a great job of keeping me guessing with that storyline. She had the perfect mixture of emotional angst, romance and suspense to keep me turning the pages late into the night.
Brian and Melissa were high school sweethearts who had their life together planned out. But everything changed when Melissa went away to college and a drunken night out with a mutual friend lead to a new family for Brian. Seventeen years later Brian's world falls apart and it's Melissa who helps he put back the pieces of his family and the life he let go of.
I really liked Brian in PRECIOUS EMBRACE (book 2 in the Embrace series). He was a guy who would do what he needed to for his life long friends. He was a guy who protected his own. So it was hard to find him falling apart in BROKEN EMBRACE. His marriage to Julie had fallen apart and then he fell apart just when his kids needed him. But I could also understand how the stress of finding out everything you believed it may not have been in reality could cause him to spiral downward. He gets his act together pretty quickly and becomes that man I knew he was, protecting his loved ones no matter what.
Melissa was a bit different than when we were introduced to her in PEFECT EMBRACE too. She and Brian definitely had hostility towards each other, even though we didn't know why, but it was strange to find out Melissa had reconnected with Brian's wife Julie after everything that had happened. If she was going to be openly hostile to Brian, she should have been just as hostile to Julie. The both broke her heart, but it she was more willing to forgive Julie than she was Brian. That was hard to understand to me and didn't endear her to me. But I liked how, despite what she might be feeling for Brian, she was there for him and his kids, when they needed her. That had to have been incredibly hard, and it took a level of bravery I don't think I would have possessed.
I liked the twist and turns with the story, especially the very creepy swim coach. Dana Mason did a great job of keeping me guessing with that storyline. She had the perfect mixture of emotional angst, romance and suspense to keep me turning the pages late into the night.
June 15, 2014
I was provide a copy of the book by the Author for an honest review.
I just finish reading this book, and I love it, love the characters, and how the book turn out to be, I have to say this book made me mad in some part, but I love every single minute of it, I have not read the first two book of this series, and I thought by reading this one I was gone be a little confuse, well I was not confuse by it at all, I couldn't put the book down, I wanted more now I am gone have to read the first two book of the series. I am gone keep this short since I don't want to give anything away.
The story begging with Brian, he Is a police Detective, and he just left from investigating a case, when he was stop by a red light, once the light turn green and the passenger door, to the car in front of him open up, he witness his wife making out with someone else, that's when he found himself park in the parking lot of Melissa place. Now Melissa is Journalist, Photographer, she had always being in love with Brian, and Brian have being in love with her, but he broke the promise that he made her once that he would wait for her, when she gets back from collage, but that did not happened, and Melissa was left with a broken heart, now seventeen years later, she move back home and bough a warehouse, which she took the second floor for her and rent the first floor, Now Brian show up at her place wanted to talk, but find himself being jealous and a need to claim his territory. When Brian teenage daughter seeks out Melissa's help, Melissa know that her life is about to change again, would they find their way back to each other hearts, or will they let all the problem come between them.
I really love and enjoy reading this book, this book had me seating at the edge of my bed, wondering what would happened next, I love the how Brian act with Melissa, love it how he is sweet, caring and protective, and love his hot tempered attitude. Author Dana Mason THANK YOU for introducing me to this awesome characters and this amazing book love it.
I just finish reading this book, and I love it, love the characters, and how the book turn out to be, I have to say this book made me mad in some part, but I love every single minute of it, I have not read the first two book of this series, and I thought by reading this one I was gone be a little confuse, well I was not confuse by it at all, I couldn't put the book down, I wanted more now I am gone have to read the first two book of the series. I am gone keep this short since I don't want to give anything away.
The story begging with Brian, he Is a police Detective, and he just left from investigating a case, when he was stop by a red light, once the light turn green and the passenger door, to the car in front of him open up, he witness his wife making out with someone else, that's when he found himself park in the parking lot of Melissa place. Now Melissa is Journalist, Photographer, she had always being in love with Brian, and Brian have being in love with her, but he broke the promise that he made her once that he would wait for her, when she gets back from collage, but that did not happened, and Melissa was left with a broken heart, now seventeen years later, she move back home and bough a warehouse, which she took the second floor for her and rent the first floor, Now Brian show up at her place wanted to talk, but find himself being jealous and a need to claim his territory. When Brian teenage daughter seeks out Melissa's help, Melissa know that her life is about to change again, would they find their way back to each other hearts, or will they let all the problem come between them.
I really love and enjoy reading this book, this book had me seating at the edge of my bed, wondering what would happened next, I love the how Brian act with Melissa, love it how he is sweet, caring and protective, and love his hot tempered attitude. Author Dana Mason THANK YOU for introducing me to this awesome characters and this amazing book love it.
March 17, 2014
Broken Embrace, the third installment to the Embrace series is a tumultuous trip down memory lane for Brian and Melissa. Memories neither know how to deal with. When Melissa left for college 17 years ago Brian promised he'd wait for her and they would have a happily ever after. Then circumstances arose and Brian married Melissa's best friend Julie. Now a top detective in the police force, and father to a son and daughter, Brian is living his own happily ever after. That is until he finds his wife with another man. Desperate and distraught Brian confronts his wife, only to lose her in a tragic accident.
Melissa returns to town determined to put the past, and Brian behind her and start her future fresh. When she is drawn into a situation with Brian's daughter, Erin, that hope comes crashing down and she finds herself wondering, what if. What if Brian hadn't broken his promise to her and they had spent the last 17 years together. What if Brian could be hers again? What if Erin and Cody were her children?
When Erin's situation escalates Brian and Melissa work together to protect her from the grips of evil. Melissa is faced with helping Brian restore peace to his family, a family she wants to be part of. The only question is, can she forgive him for breaking her heart so many years ago, and can she trust him to not do it again?
Broken Embrace is a truly heart wrenching, suspenseful, insightful addition to the Embrace series that will keep you saying 'Just one more chapter' until the book is done. Nicely woven into the story are updates on the characters from the previous books and hope for an Embrace #4! Don't miss this well rounded romantic suspense, and find out for yourself if Melissa finds her happily ever after!
Melissa returns to town determined to put the past, and Brian behind her and start her future fresh. When she is drawn into a situation with Brian's daughter, Erin, that hope comes crashing down and she finds herself wondering, what if. What if Brian hadn't broken his promise to her and they had spent the last 17 years together. What if Brian could be hers again? What if Erin and Cody were her children?
When Erin's situation escalates Brian and Melissa work together to protect her from the grips of evil. Melissa is faced with helping Brian restore peace to his family, a family she wants to be part of. The only question is, can she forgive him for breaking her heart so many years ago, and can she trust him to not do it again?
Broken Embrace is a truly heart wrenching, suspenseful, insightful addition to the Embrace series that will keep you saying 'Just one more chapter' until the book is done. Nicely woven into the story are updates on the characters from the previous books and hope for an Embrace #4! Don't miss this well rounded romantic suspense, and find out for yourself if Melissa finds her happily ever after!
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