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Charistown #3
Breaking to Breathe
Two people so bent they can no longer stand tall...
With his sexy looks, his seductive dirty talk, and his resident bad boy reputation,
Kyle Marx was the thrill-ride every woman wanted to experience…at least once.
And once is all he’d ever offer.
Suffocating in his own personal hell, Kyle thought sex, booze, and drugs could numb the pain of his past
Until an angel challenged him to fight…to feel
After living through a childhood that left her vulnerable and exposed, Cate Lockton mastered the art of blending in instead of standing out. She locked herself away to prevent more damage to her already fractured heart. She never imagined a man with a past more broken than her own would crash into her world and force her to let him in.
Their lives first collided on a stormy night.
But Danny’s on Main is where they finally connected. A neighborhood bar where strangers become friends, friends become family and some become lovers, and where the strong learn that while you can bend to exist, sometimes you’ve gotta
Break… so you can Breathe.
With his sexy looks, his seductive dirty talk, and his resident bad boy reputation,
Kyle Marx was the thrill-ride every woman wanted to experience…at least once.
And once is all he’d ever offer.
Suffocating in his own personal hell, Kyle thought sex, booze, and drugs could numb the pain of his past
Until an angel challenged him to fight…to feel
After living through a childhood that left her vulnerable and exposed, Cate Lockton mastered the art of blending in instead of standing out. She locked herself away to prevent more damage to her already fractured heart. She never imagined a man with a past more broken than her own would crash into her world and force her to let him in.
Their lives first collided on a stormy night.
But Danny’s on Main is where they finally connected. A neighborhood bar where strangers become friends, friends become family and some become lovers, and where the strong learn that while you can bend to exist, sometimes you’ve gotta
Break… so you can Breathe.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2014
21 people are currently reading
899 people want to read
About the author
Lisa N. Paul
9 books834 followersI am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend,a reader, a writer, and a self proclaimed comedian. (Just not always in that order.)
I have loved reading ever since I was a little girl, in fact one of the first series I remember falling in love with was the Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal. Those books started my obsession with series/related books.
Writing has always been a passion of mine and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to put on paper the stories I've dreamed up in my head.
I can't wait for you to meet my "friends" in the Charistown series as well as in my other books. I have fallen in love with each and everyone of them and I think you will too.
Some fun facts about me....If I could only have one food for the rest of my life - it would be french fries! I love them! I also love Godiva Raspberry Truffles. Ok, enough about me.
I hope to hear from you soon,
Lisa
I have loved reading ever since I was a little girl, in fact one of the first series I remember falling in love with was the Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal. Those books started my obsession with series/related books.
Writing has always been a passion of mine and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to put on paper the stories I've dreamed up in my head.
I can't wait for you to meet my "friends" in the Charistown series as well as in my other books. I have fallen in love with each and everyone of them and I think you will too.
Some fun facts about me....If I could only have one food for the rest of my life - it would be french fries! I love them! I also love Godiva Raspberry Truffles. Ok, enough about me.
I hope to hear from you soon,
Lisa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
July 5, 2014
HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS!
Lisa you have out done yourself. I honestly didn't know how anything would top storm front. but breaking to breathe is AMAZING.... I have become very attached to this group of people. and I love seeing the story go on. First Ill just tell you guys if you haven't read this series you definitely should. its a must!!! even though you can read Thursday nights, storm front, and breaking to breathe as standalones I highly recommend you start from the beginning with Thursday nights.
Cate and Kyle are electric! Cate gave Kyle the smack in the ass that he needed. She took his world and turned him upside down. Turned him into the person that he should be. It was nice seeing Kyle in a different light. In the other two books Kyle was just the ass. the mean trouble spirited one! I was excited to learn more as to why Kyle is Kyle. and I have to say I love him a little more now! This epic duo was definitely made for each other. One of my favorite things in this without giving to much away is the way the sound of Kyles Lighter was incorporated into the story, Nice Touch!
Ohhh and then there is Elliot!!! Elliot stole my heart just as much as Cate did. I am crossing my fingers that Elliot and Nixon end up together!! hint hint Lisa!!! :) Elliot is the loyal, stand by your side no matter what type of best friend. That is the kind of person that is hard to find. I can relate to her b.c I'm lucky enough to have someone like her.
If you don't know who Danny, Julie, Kyle, Janie, Lyla, Ashley, Ryan, Max, Gage, and now cate and Elliot are.... then you must get started cause you'll never be the same after experiencing this group.
Lisa you have out done yourself. I honestly didn't know how anything would top storm front. but breaking to breathe is AMAZING.... I have become very attached to this group of people. and I love seeing the story go on. First Ill just tell you guys if you haven't read this series you definitely should. its a must!!! even though you can read Thursday nights, storm front, and breaking to breathe as standalones I highly recommend you start from the beginning with Thursday nights.
Cate and Kyle are electric! Cate gave Kyle the smack in the ass that he needed. She took his world and turned him upside down. Turned him into the person that he should be. It was nice seeing Kyle in a different light. In the other two books Kyle was just the ass. the mean trouble spirited one! I was excited to learn more as to why Kyle is Kyle. and I have to say I love him a little more now! This epic duo was definitely made for each other. One of my favorite things in this without giving to much away is the way the sound of Kyles Lighter was incorporated into the story, Nice Touch!
Ohhh and then there is Elliot!!! Elliot stole my heart just as much as Cate did. I am crossing my fingers that Elliot and Nixon end up together!! hint hint Lisa!!! :) Elliot is the loyal, stand by your side no matter what type of best friend. That is the kind of person that is hard to find. I can relate to her b.c I'm lucky enough to have someone like her.
If you don't know who Danny, Julie, Kyle, Janie, Lyla, Ashley, Ryan, Max, Gage, and now cate and Elliot are.... then you must get started cause you'll never be the same after experiencing this group.
November 29, 2014
~~I received this book in exchange for an honest review~~
HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!?! This book had me all over the place. I was pissed, angry, upset, happy, sad, overcome with joy etc... What this book didn't do is let me down! This was the first book that I have ever read by Lisa, and this isn't going to be the last! I have to know what happens in the next book.
Lisa has a way of writing so the reader actually feels like they are right there with the characters. You get a sense of what they are feeling and what they are going through, throughout their day to day lives. I love it. Not to mention the sex is H.O.T. HOT! There is one line in the book that is the BEST. LINE. EVER. "take off your drama drawers and yank up the action thong". That my reader friends is the best line ever! It is so on point with everything!
I read this book in a day! I know that is not a shock to most of my readers, but, when a book is good, it is worth staying up and finishing! Please check this book out, if not because I asked you nicely, but because of the awesome comebacks that are in this book!
HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!?! This book had me all over the place. I was pissed, angry, upset, happy, sad, overcome with joy etc... What this book didn't do is let me down! This was the first book that I have ever read by Lisa, and this isn't going to be the last! I have to know what happens in the next book.
Lisa has a way of writing so the reader actually feels like they are right there with the characters. You get a sense of what they are feeling and what they are going through, throughout their day to day lives. I love it. Not to mention the sex is H.O.T. HOT! There is one line in the book that is the BEST. LINE. EVER. "take off your drama drawers and yank up the action thong". That my reader friends is the best line ever! It is so on point with everything!
I read this book in a day! I know that is not a shock to most of my readers, but, when a book is good, it is worth staying up and finishing! Please check this book out, if not because I asked you nicely, but because of the awesome comebacks that are in this book!
December 30, 2014
He was hollow inside, just a shadow of a man moving through time, using sex as a bandage to temporarily cover the hole where his heart once beat. He didn't share his demons. He ran from them.
Kyle Marx has been on a destructive path with self hate, alcohol, and behavior that eventually nearly killed him. He plays the cocky, arrogant womanizer who numbs his pain with substances and one night stands. His best friends/pseudo family have tried to be there for him, love him, support him and push him to make changes. But they could not save him from his own dangerous path and nearly lost him. During his darkest hour, he finds his Angel. She comes to him when needs it most giving him the will to fight back. This book begins several months after the end of Storm Front, but also takes us back to pertinent events in Kyle's and Cate's points of view.
Kyle is a broken man crippled by his past, fears, insecurities, and unable to move on. He has hidden his emotional pain away under a facade that eventually broke down. His views on women and relationships are skewed and negative. He takes what he wants, needs control, and avoids attachments.
The proverbial bad boy with that the good girls wanted to fix, but he smart women stayed clear of. Stunningly beautiful to a fault on the outside, but to anyone who spent more than a few hours with him between the sheets, they knew that underneath all of the beauty was an uninviting dark cave of blackness.
As Danny's on Main is rebuilt, we see that Kyle has made some recovery physically, but is still in need of change in his personal life and dealing with his issues. But he is angry, guilt ridden, and fearful of facing his past issues and present problems. He is resistant and keeps falling into the same unhealthy behaviors. But his friends will not give up on him that easily. Kyle is one of those characters that appears to be an arrogant, cocky jerk fairly often. And sometimes I wanted to shake him so he could see what he was doing. But then he could also be sweet, tender, and vulnerable. And he had potential to change and be a better man, he just needed a reason.
He'd spent his whole life bending. Conforming to everyone's needs, he bent to be who they wanted or needed him to be...but he failed at everything. He failed everyone. He bent so far he could not longer hold himself tall...He was a disaster of a person and a mess of a man. He was broken and wanted to finally find peace.
And when he comes face to face to his Angel, it just might be the catalyst he did not realize he needed. She ends up being a woman named Cate. She has her own dark, hurtful, secretive past. She has learned to stay in the background and not gather attention. She is as guarded and not interested in a relationship as he is. She is a girl who does not make male connections and is happy to be a one time deal. And she is even more strong willed and stubborn than Kyle.
She had no doubt this man could understand her. Maybe that was part of the attraction. Maybe that was why she felt safe in his presence. She knew he'd never hurt her, because he was just as bent as she was.
So they both agree that one time should be enough. But their usual preferences and personal rules are in conflict to the other one's rule book. But their chemistry is explosive and they have an underlying connection that neither can deny. But for the first time, one night might not be enough for either of them. But that does not mean that there will not be resistance.
These two bent people are close to breaking. But will their meeting be the thing that breaks them free or breaks them completely?
Peeling away their layers exposes their vulnerability, but also their inner strength. They have lived through pain and disappointment, felt unworthy, and unloved. But that same pain also bonds them and allows them to see the good they have been missing out on and see the possibility hope if they are just willing to take the risk. Their past stories are gradually revealed throughout the book in little pieces to the puzzle. But all the pieces eventually come together, make a clear picture, and allow us to see all that they have endured and what has made them the people they became. But we also see that facing their demons is the only way to ever begin to move on.
"Don't look at me like that, Cate. We all have our demons. You fought yours with solitude. I fought mine with a bottle. My way didn't work. Did yours?"
I admit that sometimes Cate frustrated me. She was good at avoidance and running and really challenged Kyle. But overall she was a likable woman that had been dealt a bad hand, but did her best to overcome it. But Kyle really burrowed into my heart. There were times in the other books and even he beginning of this book that I was not sure that I could get over some of his behavior and actions. But as I saw more of the man underneath, I admit that I totally fell for his charms and heart that he kept buried under walls.
This series is very well written. There is humor, sexual tension and steam, romance, heart break, emotion, and hope. The characters all have complicated painful back stories. They are damaged people trying to survive with the help of their friends who have become family. But they also all have secrets, fears, and issues not addressed. In each story we come to learn more about each character and eventually see their past that they are hiding from. The stories are not insta-love. They build on lust, connections, and turn into some thing deeper, but there are mistakes, miscommunication, denial, drama, and resistance along the way. And the timelines are realistic to the point they are sometimes frustrating to see how much time they waste. But all the characters suffer through growing pains and growth processes that are challenging and intense.
At Danny's on Main friends come together and create bonds that can't be broken. I loved seeing more with characters from Thursday Nights and Storm Front: Max, Janie, Ryan, Ashley, Lyla, Gage, and their parental figures Danny and Julie. And there were some wonderful additions to the group with Cate's vivacious friend, Elliot, Kyle's equally broken brother, Nix, and a new hot bartender, Ando. I love that these characters are there for each other for support and ass kicking when needed. I look forward to more in the series. I have been not so patiently waiting for Lyla and Gage's book since the beginning. Even though they have been teased in the other books, we have barely scratched the surface of their personal issues.
This can be read as a stand alone and you will still be given enough information to fully enjoy the story, but I recommend reading Thursday Nights and Storm Front because they are engaging, heartfelt reads that will make you fall in love with this whole group and the couples that end up together.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
Kyle Marx has been on a destructive path with self hate, alcohol, and behavior that eventually nearly killed him. He plays the cocky, arrogant womanizer who numbs his pain with substances and one night stands. His best friends/pseudo family have tried to be there for him, love him, support him and push him to make changes. But they could not save him from his own dangerous path and nearly lost him. During his darkest hour, he finds his Angel. She comes to him when needs it most giving him the will to fight back. This book begins several months after the end of Storm Front, but also takes us back to pertinent events in Kyle's and Cate's points of view.
Kyle is a broken man crippled by his past, fears, insecurities, and unable to move on. He has hidden his emotional pain away under a facade that eventually broke down. His views on women and relationships are skewed and negative. He takes what he wants, needs control, and avoids attachments.
The proverbial bad boy with that the good girls wanted to fix, but he smart women stayed clear of. Stunningly beautiful to a fault on the outside, but to anyone who spent more than a few hours with him between the sheets, they knew that underneath all of the beauty was an uninviting dark cave of blackness.
As Danny's on Main is rebuilt, we see that Kyle has made some recovery physically, but is still in need of change in his personal life and dealing with his issues. But he is angry, guilt ridden, and fearful of facing his past issues and present problems. He is resistant and keeps falling into the same unhealthy behaviors. But his friends will not give up on him that easily. Kyle is one of those characters that appears to be an arrogant, cocky jerk fairly often. And sometimes I wanted to shake him so he could see what he was doing. But then he could also be sweet, tender, and vulnerable. And he had potential to change and be a better man, he just needed a reason.
He'd spent his whole life bending. Conforming to everyone's needs, he bent to be who they wanted or needed him to be...but he failed at everything. He failed everyone. He bent so far he could not longer hold himself tall...He was a disaster of a person and a mess of a man. He was broken and wanted to finally find peace.
And when he comes face to face to his Angel, it just might be the catalyst he did not realize he needed. She ends up being a woman named Cate. She has her own dark, hurtful, secretive past. She has learned to stay in the background and not gather attention. She is as guarded and not interested in a relationship as he is. She is a girl who does not make male connections and is happy to be a one time deal. And she is even more strong willed and stubborn than Kyle.
She had no doubt this man could understand her. Maybe that was part of the attraction. Maybe that was why she felt safe in his presence. She knew he'd never hurt her, because he was just as bent as she was.
So they both agree that one time should be enough. But their usual preferences and personal rules are in conflict to the other one's rule book. But their chemistry is explosive and they have an underlying connection that neither can deny. But for the first time, one night might not be enough for either of them. But that does not mean that there will not be resistance.
These two bent people are close to breaking. But will their meeting be the thing that breaks them free or breaks them completely?
Peeling away their layers exposes their vulnerability, but also their inner strength. They have lived through pain and disappointment, felt unworthy, and unloved. But that same pain also bonds them and allows them to see the good they have been missing out on and see the possibility hope if they are just willing to take the risk. Their past stories are gradually revealed throughout the book in little pieces to the puzzle. But all the pieces eventually come together, make a clear picture, and allow us to see all that they have endured and what has made them the people they became. But we also see that facing their demons is the only way to ever begin to move on.
"Don't look at me like that, Cate. We all have our demons. You fought yours with solitude. I fought mine with a bottle. My way didn't work. Did yours?"
I admit that sometimes Cate frustrated me. She was good at avoidance and running and really challenged Kyle. But overall she was a likable woman that had been dealt a bad hand, but did her best to overcome it. But Kyle really burrowed into my heart. There were times in the other books and even he beginning of this book that I was not sure that I could get over some of his behavior and actions. But as I saw more of the man underneath, I admit that I totally fell for his charms and heart that he kept buried under walls.
This series is very well written. There is humor, sexual tension and steam, romance, heart break, emotion, and hope. The characters all have complicated painful back stories. They are damaged people trying to survive with the help of their friends who have become family. But they also all have secrets, fears, and issues not addressed. In each story we come to learn more about each character and eventually see their past that they are hiding from. The stories are not insta-love. They build on lust, connections, and turn into some thing deeper, but there are mistakes, miscommunication, denial, drama, and resistance along the way. And the timelines are realistic to the point they are sometimes frustrating to see how much time they waste. But all the characters suffer through growing pains and growth processes that are challenging and intense.
At Danny's on Main friends come together and create bonds that can't be broken. I loved seeing more with characters from Thursday Nights and Storm Front: Max, Janie, Ryan, Ashley, Lyla, Gage, and their parental figures Danny and Julie. And there were some wonderful additions to the group with Cate's vivacious friend, Elliot, Kyle's equally broken brother, Nix, and a new hot bartender, Ando. I love that these characters are there for each other for support and ass kicking when needed. I look forward to more in the series. I have been not so patiently waiting for Lyla and Gage's book since the beginning. Even though they have been teased in the other books, we have barely scratched the surface of their personal issues.
This can be read as a stand alone and you will still be given enough information to fully enjoy the story, but I recommend reading Thursday Nights and Storm Front because they are engaging, heartfelt reads that will make you fall in love with this whole group and the couples that end up together.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
July 10, 2014
Just when I think Lisa N Paul cannot go any further with this wonderful, complicated bunch of Charistown Characters she just blows me away again.
I couldn’t wait for Kyles story, he’s been such an ass for the past two books, you just knew there was something going on there and when I read what’s moulded him into the man he’s become my heart broke for him (I might have even she a tear) his childhood was truly the stuff of nightmares & yes he’s been a womanising asshole but when it mattered, growing up he was everything that everybody around him needed, he took a lot on his young shoulders and burdened the demons that haunt him today. When he wakes from the fog of alcohol & drugs, he’s smart, loyal, honest & HAWT!! The come to Jesus he has with his younger brother started me bawling again, Kyle is so much more than he has ever let on and he deserves every bit of happiness he can get.
We know in Storm Front Kyle’s had a car accident and is recovering but Lisa takes us back to that night and we get to hear exactly what Kyle was feeling and it’s another heartbreaking moment, we also meet Cate who happened across the accident and stayed with Kyle until help came, neither expected to see the other again.
Cate is such a sweetheart, she too has demons but has strived to overcome them and set herself aside from her past, she’s developed an amazing armour to keep everything bad out but what she didn’t realise that she wasn’t allowing any good in. Her best friend Elliot is a hoot and is the ying to her yang, they were childhood neighbours so there are very few secrets between them but even Elliot struggles to hold Cate together when she reaches an all time low.
Cate is used to being fiercely independent, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go for it, as long as it’s on her terms, it was hysterical to see Kyle figure out how the hell he’s going to deal with this firecracker who’s barrelled into his life.
This is an amazing story of two broken souls who over come all the odds to find happiness, a story of how family doesn’t need to mean blood. I love this crazy bunch, every last one of them and we have a newbie Ando, I’m intrigued to see what’ll happen with him, is he a threat to Gage? Lyla has added another few layers to her already greatly protected heart, it’s going to take a strong man to get that girl on side and I for one cannot wait!
I couldn’t wait for Kyles story, he’s been such an ass for the past two books, you just knew there was something going on there and when I read what’s moulded him into the man he’s become my heart broke for him (I might have even she a tear) his childhood was truly the stuff of nightmares & yes he’s been a womanising asshole but when it mattered, growing up he was everything that everybody around him needed, he took a lot on his young shoulders and burdened the demons that haunt him today. When he wakes from the fog of alcohol & drugs, he’s smart, loyal, honest & HAWT!! The come to Jesus he has with his younger brother started me bawling again, Kyle is so much more than he has ever let on and he deserves every bit of happiness he can get.
We know in Storm Front Kyle’s had a car accident and is recovering but Lisa takes us back to that night and we get to hear exactly what Kyle was feeling and it’s another heartbreaking moment, we also meet Cate who happened across the accident and stayed with Kyle until help came, neither expected to see the other again.
Cate is such a sweetheart, she too has demons but has strived to overcome them and set herself aside from her past, she’s developed an amazing armour to keep everything bad out but what she didn’t realise that she wasn’t allowing any good in. Her best friend Elliot is a hoot and is the ying to her yang, they were childhood neighbours so there are very few secrets between them but even Elliot struggles to hold Cate together when she reaches an all time low.
Cate is used to being fiercely independent, she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go for it, as long as it’s on her terms, it was hysterical to see Kyle figure out how the hell he’s going to deal with this firecracker who’s barrelled into his life.
This is an amazing story of two broken souls who over come all the odds to find happiness, a story of how family doesn’t need to mean blood. I love this crazy bunch, every last one of them and we have a newbie Ando, I’m intrigued to see what’ll happen with him, is he a threat to Gage? Lyla has added another few layers to her already greatly protected heart, it’s going to take a strong man to get that girl on side and I for one cannot wait!
October 16, 2014
This is book three in the Charistown series. !
I give this a thousand Stars !!
I Loved Thursday Nights ....Max is yummy
I loved x10 Storm Front .... Ryan ... oh my god !!! I want Ryan
I love love love love x 1000 Breaking to Breathe ~~ KYLE IS DEFINITELY MINE !!!
This book is amazing. They get better with each story .... This series is a group of friends that have a commonplace .... the place they met, the place they became family. Danny's on Main.
Kyle is definitely your completely messed up bad boy and nothing anyone does can reach him. He is beyond fixable. Or so he thinks. Cate makes her way into his bar, into his bed, and into his heart and the girl is an emotional mess, but together they reach each other and its an explosion of hot as hell flirting, some off the charts bedroom antics and eventually figuring out, they need each other to breathe.
I cant say enough how much i loved this book. When I first met Kyle in book 1 my first thought was that he was a complete a**hole. but as he starts to show a little of whats happening as book 2 is making its way into my heart, Kyle kinda sorta did two ... and by the time i got into his mind and heard what was really going on, i was a goner.... completely in love with him.
both Kyle and Cate had a rough childhood. Rougher than you would expect and were leery of accepting or giving any kind of love to anyone. Both thinking they werent worthy of it or capable of giving it. Until they meet each other ... Sparks fly ....
The book is very well written, the characters are amazing and the side characters are off the charts .... i was actually sad when i was done reading it .. I wanted their story to go on forever .... i really cant wait for the next book (hint hint to the author)
I started this series on the word of a friend and had no idea who this new author was. I DO NOT REGRET IT !!! Im hooked. I'll read whatever she writes. She has a knack for keeping me glued to the book. I cant put them down. My husband thanks you for having no laundry done while im "with my book boyfriend" as he says !!
I would absolutely recommend this book and i really recommend you start with book 1 and 2 and then 3 .... you dont have too ... .but i think you should to get the full effect of the friends, the place they met, and their lives before and after they met the loves of their lives
I give this a thousand Stars !!
I Loved Thursday Nights ....Max is yummy
I loved x10 Storm Front .... Ryan ... oh my god !!! I want Ryan
I love love love love x 1000 Breaking to Breathe ~~ KYLE IS DEFINITELY MINE !!!
This book is amazing. They get better with each story .... This series is a group of friends that have a commonplace .... the place they met, the place they became family. Danny's on Main.
Kyle is definitely your completely messed up bad boy and nothing anyone does can reach him. He is beyond fixable. Or so he thinks. Cate makes her way into his bar, into his bed, and into his heart and the girl is an emotional mess, but together they reach each other and its an explosion of hot as hell flirting, some off the charts bedroom antics and eventually figuring out, they need each other to breathe.
I cant say enough how much i loved this book. When I first met Kyle in book 1 my first thought was that he was a complete a**hole. but as he starts to show a little of whats happening as book 2 is making its way into my heart, Kyle kinda sorta did two ... and by the time i got into his mind and heard what was really going on, i was a goner.... completely in love with him.
both Kyle and Cate had a rough childhood. Rougher than you would expect and were leery of accepting or giving any kind of love to anyone. Both thinking they werent worthy of it or capable of giving it. Until they meet each other ... Sparks fly ....
The book is very well written, the characters are amazing and the side characters are off the charts .... i was actually sad when i was done reading it .. I wanted their story to go on forever .... i really cant wait for the next book (hint hint to the author)
I started this series on the word of a friend and had no idea who this new author was. I DO NOT REGRET IT !!! Im hooked. I'll read whatever she writes. She has a knack for keeping me glued to the book. I cant put them down. My husband thanks you for having no laundry done while im "with my book boyfriend" as he says !!
I would absolutely recommend this book and i really recommend you start with book 1 and 2 and then 3 .... you dont have too ... .but i think you should to get the full effect of the friends, the place they met, and their lives before and after they met the loves of their lives
July 9, 2014
Lisa Paul Continues to Delight! 5 STARS!
I am a big fan of the Charistown Series by Lisa Paul and just love the folks at Dannys on Main. Breaking to Breathe (Book #3) can be read as a stand-alone but please do yourself a favor and check out Thursday Nights (Book #1) and Storm Front (Book #2). Ultimately, it will enhance your reading experience and knowledge of these characters that have captured my heart. Each book takes us a little deeper and revealing an additional layer, taking us into how this assorted cast of characters has ended up at Danny’s.
Kyle is a jerk. We got that message from Thursday Nights. A gorgeous sexy one but a mean SOB just the same. Everything he knows about treating women, he learned from his father, and let me tell you, he learned his lessons well. Women are receptacles to be used and discarded by Kyle. Just another way to drown his demons (other than alcohol). Too bad for him his demons have learned how to swim. The alcohol, the women, the self-hate, the anger – none of it is working anymore. He’s hit rock bottom. Now what?!
Cate is sweet, nice, beautiful, a good person who has managed to retain her humanity despite the hand that life has dealt her. Cate has made it her priority to blend into the paint. The last thing she wants is entanglements and one night stands are just how she likes it. Fortunately, for her, she has a spunky BFF named Elliot who refuses to continue to let Cate “hide” from life.
One dark and stormy night (I know it’s cheezy but go with it), Kyle and Cate’s lives collide. Little did they know that the hands of fate (a/k/a Elliot) would conspire to bring them back together again. Little did they know that once they each had a “taste” neither one would be able to forget it.
Kyle is used to the women throwing themselves at him. He’s not used to one who wants exactly what he says he wants. Cate is that woman. She knows what she wants and she’s not shy about saying so. Yes, BTB is hot, steamy and sexy – which I expected. Let me tell you what I didn’t expect. The depth of the emotional roller coaster that I was taken on in the pages of this story!
There is no doubt that these two people are broken! Each one a different way, but broken nonetheless. Victims of their past, kept prisoners by their inability to move forward. Then something in each of their souls, recognizes and touches something in the other, and then the choice needs to be made whether to fight for what could be. Or just let each other go and continue into the void that has ruled their lives.
Thank God for the love of friends. The gang at Danny’s is there to guide, advise, protect and give a good swift kick in the pants when needed just like family should.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me wanna smack the hell out of Kyle’s parents. It also made me adore the gang at Danny’s even more than I did before. At the end, I closed my Kindle with a big sigh and a smile. A definite 5 STAR read for me.
P.S. I’ll share with you what I’ve been wanting, needing, waiting for since Book #1 – I need me some more GAGE! Lisa Paul, hear this, that man curls my toes. I can’t wait to read his story!
I am a big fan of the Charistown Series by Lisa Paul and just love the folks at Dannys on Main. Breaking to Breathe (Book #3) can be read as a stand-alone but please do yourself a favor and check out Thursday Nights (Book #1) and Storm Front (Book #2). Ultimately, it will enhance your reading experience and knowledge of these characters that have captured my heart. Each book takes us a little deeper and revealing an additional layer, taking us into how this assorted cast of characters has ended up at Danny’s.
Kyle is a jerk. We got that message from Thursday Nights. A gorgeous sexy one but a mean SOB just the same. Everything he knows about treating women, he learned from his father, and let me tell you, he learned his lessons well. Women are receptacles to be used and discarded by Kyle. Just another way to drown his demons (other than alcohol). Too bad for him his demons have learned how to swim. The alcohol, the women, the self-hate, the anger – none of it is working anymore. He’s hit rock bottom. Now what?!
Cate is sweet, nice, beautiful, a good person who has managed to retain her humanity despite the hand that life has dealt her. Cate has made it her priority to blend into the paint. The last thing she wants is entanglements and one night stands are just how she likes it. Fortunately, for her, she has a spunky BFF named Elliot who refuses to continue to let Cate “hide” from life.
One dark and stormy night (I know it’s cheezy but go with it), Kyle and Cate’s lives collide. Little did they know that the hands of fate (a/k/a Elliot) would conspire to bring them back together again. Little did they know that once they each had a “taste” neither one would be able to forget it.
Kyle is used to the women throwing themselves at him. He’s not used to one who wants exactly what he says he wants. Cate is that woman. She knows what she wants and she’s not shy about saying so. Yes, BTB is hot, steamy and sexy – which I expected. Let me tell you what I didn’t expect. The depth of the emotional roller coaster that I was taken on in the pages of this story!
There is no doubt that these two people are broken! Each one a different way, but broken nonetheless. Victims of their past, kept prisoners by their inability to move forward. Then something in each of their souls, recognizes and touches something in the other, and then the choice needs to be made whether to fight for what could be. Or just let each other go and continue into the void that has ruled their lives.
Thank God for the love of friends. The gang at Danny’s is there to guide, advise, protect and give a good swift kick in the pants when needed just like family should.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me wanna smack the hell out of Kyle’s parents. It also made me adore the gang at Danny’s even more than I did before. At the end, I closed my Kindle with a big sigh and a smile. A definite 5 STAR read for me.
P.S. I’ll share with you what I’ve been wanting, needing, waiting for since Book #1 – I need me some more GAGE! Lisa Paul, hear this, that man curls my toes. I can’t wait to read his story!
July 13, 2014
I have just finished reading this book and seriously feel like I've been through the emotional wringer!! I seriously think I've gone through every emotion when reading this! This is the first book by Lisa N Paul i have read and although it is part 3 in the Charistown series I didn't feel I was missing out on anything as each book is written to be a standalone. Fantastic book and I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series already!! And whilst I'm waiting i will be devouring books 1&2 ….!
Kyle and Cate are both damaged in their own ways and neither has had it easy at all. They meet under dreadful circumstances and by a calculated chance they meet again. Kyle believes Cate saved him and Cate is so damaged she doesn't believe she deserves to be happy.
In the beginning, it is hard to like Kyle but his journey of self re-discovery is a real treat to be part of! I also warmed to Cate too and her sassy attitude seriously gives Kyle a run for his playboy money!!! Loved their first few scenes together and you really feel that he has well and truly et his match. ALthough she is sassy and strong in many ways, for the best part of the book you are left wondering what on earth her past held. Its not until a long way in to the book that we finally see what she has had to deal with and what has made and shaped her into the person she was before Kyle stepped back into her life.
Kyle soon becomes likeable and pretty swoon worthy too! He isn't the stereotypical hot rich book boy friend but someone, aside from his dreadful past, that you can actually imagine in real life.
One of the most heartwarming sides to this story for me is the inclusion of the many side characters in the book who form part of a wider family for both of our main characters. Each of them is special in their own way and I particularly love the dymanic between Cate and Elliott. It makes for some heartwarming moments but Elliott and her "flashbacks" also add different spin on the story too!
I loved this book and I will definitely be reading more form this author very soon!
5 super stars
Kyle and Cate are both damaged in their own ways and neither has had it easy at all. They meet under dreadful circumstances and by a calculated chance they meet again. Kyle believes Cate saved him and Cate is so damaged she doesn't believe she deserves to be happy.
In the beginning, it is hard to like Kyle but his journey of self re-discovery is a real treat to be part of! I also warmed to Cate too and her sassy attitude seriously gives Kyle a run for his playboy money!!! Loved their first few scenes together and you really feel that he has well and truly et his match. ALthough she is sassy and strong in many ways, for the best part of the book you are left wondering what on earth her past held. Its not until a long way in to the book that we finally see what she has had to deal with and what has made and shaped her into the person she was before Kyle stepped back into her life.
Kyle soon becomes likeable and pretty swoon worthy too! He isn't the stereotypical hot rich book boy friend but someone, aside from his dreadful past, that you can actually imagine in real life.
One of the most heartwarming sides to this story for me is the inclusion of the many side characters in the book who form part of a wider family for both of our main characters. Each of them is special in their own way and I particularly love the dymanic between Cate and Elliott. It makes for some heartwarming moments but Elliott and her "flashbacks" also add different spin on the story too!
I loved this book and I will definitely be reading more form this author very soon!
5 super stars
July 3, 2014
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book and let me tell you it's amazing. Lisa always outshines in each book. I wish that I could give this book more than 5 stars because it's just a beautiful story with love, pain and healing. I couldn't put this book down because it is that good. I finished it today and the last of my snacks. If you have the chance to read this series please do because the characters are so cool and Lisa's books are captivating, and they just grab you and don't let go.
July 19, 2014
I loved this book! In the last two books, we didn't get much insight into Kyle. I didn't know much about him. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down... I was hooked! Also... The first sex scene (fans self) was smoking! And Cate is great as well. All together it's an awesome book. I love Lisa and she is getting better and better with each book! Can't wait for the next book! You keep on growing.
July 13, 2014
Life can be suffocating; it can suck the life out of a person to the point where breathing freely is not an option. It can take away happiness; it can bend a person so much that it doesn’t seem worth trying to breathe at all. Kyle Marx and Cate Lockton, the main characters in Lisa N. Paul’s Breaking to Breathe, know all too well what happens when situations that are out of their control grab them by the throat, refusing to let go. They live that way every day, and even though their circumstances are completely different, their demons are alike in the way that they allow them to control who they are, how they act, and what they feel.
Can these two bent people help each other to stand straight and breathe freely, or will they allow the past to dictate their present and future without putting up a fight?
Kyle is the “proverbial bad boy” whose coping mechanisms to numb his pain consist of loose women, hard liquor, and copious amounts of drugs. He degrades and uses women because he believes that’s all they’re good for due to his father’s poisonous words. The damage his childhood caused him is like a coat of armor around his heart and his mind. As long as he holds on to the pain and the anger, no one can get close enough to hurt him; no one can see how truly dark he is. But that’s no way to live, and with the help of his Danny’s on Main family and the angel who ultimately saves his life; hopefully, he’ll learn to let go of the past and live and breathe for today.
Cate’s past has forced her to live a rather secluded life. She refuses to let anyone in, besides her best friend, because the fear of betrayal is ever present. She hides behind her job, and when she does interact with others, she stays in the background - being the center of attention is something she never wants to have to go through again. The one time she can let her emotions out and not feel overwhelmed is during sex. But there are rules even for that, which help her to maintain a sense of control as well as get the release she needs. But Cate’s invisibility is shattered when she meets the man whose life she saved. He makes her feel safe; he makes her want things that she hasn’t for a long time. But is he strong enough to battle her demons when he has his own? Can Cate loosen fear’s grip and choose to be happy, or will she succumb to the pain and panic that suffocates her daily?
Lisa N. Paul nailed the title and characters in Breaking to Breathe. Both Kyle and Cate are complicated characters with horrific pasts, and Paul takes readers into her characters’ psyches and truly allows us to understand why they choose to live the way that they do. Their pasts are their burdens…in a way, their albatrosses that weigh them down and force them to make choices that are unhealthy and lonely. Paul does not rush into Kyle and Cate’s transformations. There’s not an easy way to fix all that they struggle with, so they make progress and then regress in ways that make perfect sense. What starts out as purely sex slowly changes into something they both fear but want; they just have to decide if they’re ready for it.
The writing itself is another amazing aspect of this story. Paul’s words flow effortlessly, and they capture everything that readers need to know in order to understand what happened in Kyle and Cate’s past, what torments them in the present, and what they fear will happen in the future. There’s no unnecessary information or drawn out descriptions; everything is essential to the storyline.
Breaking to Breathe is a heartbreaking story about people’s pasts defining their presents. It’s about two broken souls who figure out that the only way they can truly breathe is with each other’s help. There are heavy issues explored, but they are combined with the right amount of humor and wit to help balance it out. And then there’s the sex scenes – they are beyond hot, and since that is how originally both Kyle and Cate get the release that they need to numb their minds, explicitly illustrating those scenes is crucial in understanding how far they’ve both come, and as their emotional connection begins to be stronger than their physical one, Paul shows how their intimacy changes as well, sealing their transformation.
Kyle and Cate’s story is a definite must read!
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Can these two bent people help each other to stand straight and breathe freely, or will they allow the past to dictate their present and future without putting up a fight?
Kyle is the “proverbial bad boy” whose coping mechanisms to numb his pain consist of loose women, hard liquor, and copious amounts of drugs. He degrades and uses women because he believes that’s all they’re good for due to his father’s poisonous words. The damage his childhood caused him is like a coat of armor around his heart and his mind. As long as he holds on to the pain and the anger, no one can get close enough to hurt him; no one can see how truly dark he is. But that’s no way to live, and with the help of his Danny’s on Main family and the angel who ultimately saves his life; hopefully, he’ll learn to let go of the past and live and breathe for today.
Cate’s past has forced her to live a rather secluded life. She refuses to let anyone in, besides her best friend, because the fear of betrayal is ever present. She hides behind her job, and when she does interact with others, she stays in the background - being the center of attention is something she never wants to have to go through again. The one time she can let her emotions out and not feel overwhelmed is during sex. But there are rules even for that, which help her to maintain a sense of control as well as get the release she needs. But Cate’s invisibility is shattered when she meets the man whose life she saved. He makes her feel safe; he makes her want things that she hasn’t for a long time. But is he strong enough to battle her demons when he has his own? Can Cate loosen fear’s grip and choose to be happy, or will she succumb to the pain and panic that suffocates her daily?
Lisa N. Paul nailed the title and characters in Breaking to Breathe. Both Kyle and Cate are complicated characters with horrific pasts, and Paul takes readers into her characters’ psyches and truly allows us to understand why they choose to live the way that they do. Their pasts are their burdens…in a way, their albatrosses that weigh them down and force them to make choices that are unhealthy and lonely. Paul does not rush into Kyle and Cate’s transformations. There’s not an easy way to fix all that they struggle with, so they make progress and then regress in ways that make perfect sense. What starts out as purely sex slowly changes into something they both fear but want; they just have to decide if they’re ready for it.
The writing itself is another amazing aspect of this story. Paul’s words flow effortlessly, and they capture everything that readers need to know in order to understand what happened in Kyle and Cate’s past, what torments them in the present, and what they fear will happen in the future. There’s no unnecessary information or drawn out descriptions; everything is essential to the storyline.
Breaking to Breathe is a heartbreaking story about people’s pasts defining their presents. It’s about two broken souls who figure out that the only way they can truly breathe is with each other’s help. There are heavy issues explored, but they are combined with the right amount of humor and wit to help balance it out. And then there’s the sex scenes – they are beyond hot, and since that is how originally both Kyle and Cate get the release that they need to numb their minds, explicitly illustrating those scenes is crucial in understanding how far they’ve both come, and as their emotional connection begins to be stronger than their physical one, Paul shows how their intimacy changes as well, sealing their transformation.
Kyle and Cate’s story is a definite must read!
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
August 21, 2014
I just have to say "Wow"! BREAKING TO BREATHE, the third book in Lisa N. Paul's Charistown series exceeded my expectations and completely blew me away! Lisa's writing just keeps getting better with her stories about the family of friends who work together at Danny's on Main. Breaking to Breathe delves into what has made the gorgeous, sex-personified, yet so very damaged bartender Kyle Marx become the man every woman wants in her bed even if it can only be for one night. It begins with the night he almost died and the "Angel" who saved him, Cate Lockton. This story can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone, but I strongly encourage you not to miss out on the brilliance of the first two stories in this series, Thursday Nights (Max and Janie's story) and Storm Front (Ryan and Ashley's story).
Right from the beginning when Cate comes upon the car accident and holds Kyle in her arms begging him to fight to live as they wait for the ambulance I was hooked. It was such a touching scene and their immediate connection unmistakable. Cate and Kyle have similar backgrounds, both have parents who don't deserve the title, never loved them and treated them despicably, so it's no wonder they connected in such a profound way.
Cate and Kyle are also similar in that they don't date, they only do one night, and they have rules that are deal-breakers for the encounters they do allow themselves. All to protect their vulnerable hearts by avoiding any possible emotional fallout. However all that changes for both of them when they finally meet again months after that fateful night that neither could forget and that changed something inside them forever. If ever there was a story about souls recognizing their soul-mate, this is it. Sure the sex is steamy, I mean it's Kyle we're talking about and the man has mad skills in the bedroom, but it's more than the physical chemistry that explodes when they are together. These two "get" each other in way no one else might ever understand and that knowledge creates a sense of a safe place for each of them which draws them together even in their dreams.
Breaking to Breathe had me completely absorbed in believing for a much deserved happy ending for Kyle and Cate. Watching it play out as these two danced around their fears, insecurities and emotions they had no idea how to deal with was enthralling. Lisa's writing is just so good! I had tears streaming down my face when learning about the heart wrenching life these two suffered as children. In other scenes I was laughing out loud at the way they all teased and joked around with each other. I could feel the warmth, unconditional love and support displayed by their friends. Cate's best friend Elliot was a wonderful addition and I hope to see more of her in future books. It was also great to get to know Kyle's younger brother, Nixon. Best of all, it was fabulous meeting back up with the group from Danny's on Main. The humor, the witty banter, and the close friendship they all share adds so much to this well-written story. I know I'm repeating myself, but Breaking to Breathe blew me away with how great it was! You do not want to miss this one!! 5 stars
~Complimentary copy provided in exchange for a honest review.
Right from the beginning when Cate comes upon the car accident and holds Kyle in her arms begging him to fight to live as they wait for the ambulance I was hooked. It was such a touching scene and their immediate connection unmistakable. Cate and Kyle have similar backgrounds, both have parents who don't deserve the title, never loved them and treated them despicably, so it's no wonder they connected in such a profound way.
Cate and Kyle are also similar in that they don't date, they only do one night, and they have rules that are deal-breakers for the encounters they do allow themselves. All to protect their vulnerable hearts by avoiding any possible emotional fallout. However all that changes for both of them when they finally meet again months after that fateful night that neither could forget and that changed something inside them forever. If ever there was a story about souls recognizing their soul-mate, this is it. Sure the sex is steamy, I mean it's Kyle we're talking about and the man has mad skills in the bedroom, but it's more than the physical chemistry that explodes when they are together. These two "get" each other in way no one else might ever understand and that knowledge creates a sense of a safe place for each of them which draws them together even in their dreams.
Breaking to Breathe had me completely absorbed in believing for a much deserved happy ending for Kyle and Cate. Watching it play out as these two danced around their fears, insecurities and emotions they had no idea how to deal with was enthralling. Lisa's writing is just so good! I had tears streaming down my face when learning about the heart wrenching life these two suffered as children. In other scenes I was laughing out loud at the way they all teased and joked around with each other. I could feel the warmth, unconditional love and support displayed by their friends. Cate's best friend Elliot was a wonderful addition and I hope to see more of her in future books. It was also great to get to know Kyle's younger brother, Nixon. Best of all, it was fabulous meeting back up with the group from Danny's on Main. The humor, the witty banter, and the close friendship they all share adds so much to this well-written story. I know I'm repeating myself, but Breaking to Breathe blew me away with how great it was! You do not want to miss this one!! 5 stars
~Complimentary copy provided in exchange for a honest review.
July 11, 2014
Overall Rating: 4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆
In this contemporary romance novel by Lisa N. Paul, I was unsure what to expect as this was the first book that I have read by this author. Ms. Paul blew me away with the raw emotions that she evoked with her story. It was well written and the flow was achingly beautiful. It wrenched at the heart strings as I read and empathized with each character. The two main characters Kyle and Cate are damaged souls that barely exist while they watch life passing them by.
Kyle is the typical playboy with a chip on his shoulder hating the world for the hand he had been dealt as a child. He is an adrenalin seeker that uses his good looks and bad boy reputation to hide the hell that he is really trapped in. He never allows anyone to get close while wielding sex, lust, and alcohol to dull his painful past.
Cate hides herself deep within a wall she has built to keep everyone out. She does not want to feel and keeps her emotions locked tightly and never allows them to surface. Cate seems to fade away in a group, never calling attention, hiding with people all around her keeping her broken heart safe. Her past haunts her and has left her feeling exposed and vulnerable to others until she meets him. Someone that is just as damaged and broken as she is. These two lost and broken souls come together in a most unexpected way, during Hurricane Leo at a local bar. His angel challenges him to fight, to feel and to break away from the past.
Will Cate and Kyle find the peace that they both need? Can they come together and heal the broken pieces of their past?
Hero –Kyle Marx: 5 stars
Heroine –Cate Lockton: 5 stars
Steam: 4 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger: No
Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is a beautifully written story about two broken souls that meet and find a way to heal. You will laugh at some parts and cry during others. The author has a way of making the reader feel that they are part of the emotions that each character is experiencing and it helps them too understands why sometimes you must break to breath. I thoroughly enjoyed every last page and couldn't devour it fast enough. This is truly a must read!
Would I read other books by this author: Yes! Love this author’s books and the way she emerges her readers into the world she creates with her words. I cannot wait to read the next book perhaps it will be one of the secondary characters from this book.
***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Breaking to Breathe
Lisa N. Paul
In this contemporary romance novel by Lisa N. Paul, I was unsure what to expect as this was the first book that I have read by this author. Ms. Paul blew me away with the raw emotions that she evoked with her story. It was well written and the flow was achingly beautiful. It wrenched at the heart strings as I read and empathized with each character. The two main characters Kyle and Cate are damaged souls that barely exist while they watch life passing them by.
“Let’s see what else you like.” He wrapped his large hands around her waist and pulled her flush against his groin…”
Kyle is the typical playboy with a chip on his shoulder hating the world for the hand he had been dealt as a child. He is an adrenalin seeker that uses his good looks and bad boy reputation to hide the hell that he is really trapped in. He never allows anyone to get close while wielding sex, lust, and alcohol to dull his painful past.
“That’s when I knew,” his voice was low and husky. “I knew you were my angel sent to guide me. You’ve come to me in my dreams. And some night, I’ve hated it, because I never thought I’d feel you touch again. But that night, when you walked in Danny’s, everything changed, Cate”
Cate hides herself deep within a wall she has built to keep everyone out. She does not want to feel and keeps her emotions locked tightly and never allows them to surface. Cate seems to fade away in a group, never calling attention, hiding with people all around her keeping her broken heart safe. Her past haunts her and has left her feeling exposed and vulnerable to others until she meets him. Someone that is just as damaged and broken as she is. These two lost and broken souls come together in a most unexpected way, during Hurricane Leo at a local bar. His angel challenges him to fight, to feel and to break away from the past.
“Cate, baby, please, open your eyes and look at me while I make love to you.” Those words had never before entered his mind, let alone left his mouth, yet in that moment, no words ever felt more right.
Will Cate and Kyle find the peace that they both need? Can they come together and heal the broken pieces of their past?
Hero –Kyle Marx: 5 stars
Heroine –Cate Lockton: 5 stars
Steam: 4 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger: No
Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is a beautifully written story about two broken souls that meet and find a way to heal. You will laugh at some parts and cry during others. The author has a way of making the reader feel that they are part of the emotions that each character is experiencing and it helps them too understands why sometimes you must break to breath. I thoroughly enjoyed every last page and couldn't devour it fast enough. This is truly a must read!
Would I read other books by this author: Yes! Love this author’s books and the way she emerges her readers into the world she creates with her words. I cannot wait to read the next book perhaps it will be one of the secondary characters from this book.
***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Breaking to Breathe
Lisa N. Paul
July 7, 2014
Lisa Paul has outdone herself this time around. Did I say that after I read Storm Front? I might have but Breaking to Breathe has left me breathless. As a huge fan of The Charistown Series I could not wait to get my hands on this third installment and was beyond thrilled to receive an advanced copy from the author. I was at the edge of my seat waiting for Kyle Marx's story and I can say now that it was SO worth the wait!
Breaking to Breathe is the amazing and oh-so-hot story of Kyle and Cate, two troubled souls destined to be together. While the story takes place a few months after the end of Storm Front, there are plenty of flashbacks and reminders throughout the book, refreshing the reader’s memory as well as catching new readers up to speed. From the very first page I was hooked and could not put this book down. I will not give away any plot details but can tell you that these two characters are made for each other. They connect on a level so deep and so quickly yet this is not another insta-love story by any means. There is a lot going on here and I like to think fate, coupled with some meddling friends, played a role in bringing these two together.
Emotion plays a big role in this story; it tugs at your heartstrings and pulls you in all sorts of directions. There is pain and suffering for both Kyle and Cate to overcome and I found them to be extraordinarily strong characters, each in their own way. For years Kyle hid behind his drinking and his women; Cate hid behind herself allowing almost no one into her world. As the two of them grow and we learn about their horrific upbringings everything becomes clearer and they learn how to cope with their pasts without destroying the present and any hope for the future.
What I love about The Charistown Series is that each book is emotionally unique. The characters we love so much are back and Danny’s On Main is still the place to be, but each story has its own focus, it’s own “feel”. Breaking to Breathe did not give me any reason to want to throw my Kindle across the room or scream and yell at Lisa Paul the way Storm Front did; instead I just felt sad, horrified, angry, and ultimately happy. Yes I shed some tears for what Kyle and Cate had to endure but at no point did my heart feel like it was beating out of my chest and I love how this series can do that. It uncovers different emotions and reactions with each book released.
Of course, this review would not be complete without mentioning the hotness factor this story possesses. This would just not be a Lisa Paul novel without some good ol’ panty-melting sex scenes and readers she does not let us down! These scenes are perfect and believe me if you have any doubt as to how hard you could fall for the messed-up Kyle Marx, wait until you read these scenes.
In addition I have to mention that it was such a pleasure to once again encounter the whole Charistown gang and follow their lives as well. As secondary characters in this story their presence is perfect and adds humor, joy and an all-around feel-good vibe just when you need it the most. And now Cate and her best friend Elliot are part of this gang and really are a perfect fit for the "family".
As always Lisa has left me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series; while providing a wrap-up for this book she once again offers just a taste of things to come. I love that she does this. It’s brilliant and it works; because now I’m just dying to get my hands on the next Charistown novel as quickly as possible.
**ARC received in exchange for honest review**
Breaking to Breathe is the amazing and oh-so-hot story of Kyle and Cate, two troubled souls destined to be together. While the story takes place a few months after the end of Storm Front, there are plenty of flashbacks and reminders throughout the book, refreshing the reader’s memory as well as catching new readers up to speed. From the very first page I was hooked and could not put this book down. I will not give away any plot details but can tell you that these two characters are made for each other. They connect on a level so deep and so quickly yet this is not another insta-love story by any means. There is a lot going on here and I like to think fate, coupled with some meddling friends, played a role in bringing these two together.
Emotion plays a big role in this story; it tugs at your heartstrings and pulls you in all sorts of directions. There is pain and suffering for both Kyle and Cate to overcome and I found them to be extraordinarily strong characters, each in their own way. For years Kyle hid behind his drinking and his women; Cate hid behind herself allowing almost no one into her world. As the two of them grow and we learn about their horrific upbringings everything becomes clearer and they learn how to cope with their pasts without destroying the present and any hope for the future.
What I love about The Charistown Series is that each book is emotionally unique. The characters we love so much are back and Danny’s On Main is still the place to be, but each story has its own focus, it’s own “feel”. Breaking to Breathe did not give me any reason to want to throw my Kindle across the room or scream and yell at Lisa Paul the way Storm Front did; instead I just felt sad, horrified, angry, and ultimately happy. Yes I shed some tears for what Kyle and Cate had to endure but at no point did my heart feel like it was beating out of my chest and I love how this series can do that. It uncovers different emotions and reactions with each book released.
Of course, this review would not be complete without mentioning the hotness factor this story possesses. This would just not be a Lisa Paul novel without some good ol’ panty-melting sex scenes and readers she does not let us down! These scenes are perfect and believe me if you have any doubt as to how hard you could fall for the messed-up Kyle Marx, wait until you read these scenes.
In addition I have to mention that it was such a pleasure to once again encounter the whole Charistown gang and follow their lives as well. As secondary characters in this story their presence is perfect and adds humor, joy and an all-around feel-good vibe just when you need it the most. And now Cate and her best friend Elliot are part of this gang and really are a perfect fit for the "family".
As always Lisa has left me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series; while providing a wrap-up for this book she once again offers just a taste of things to come. I love that she does this. It’s brilliant and it works; because now I’m just dying to get my hands on the next Charistown novel as quickly as possible.
**ARC received in exchange for honest review**
July 10, 2014
* 5 Star Review *
Breaking To Breathe is book three in the Charistown series. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. I highly recommend reading this series in order because the reader gets an overall feel of the dynamics of Danny’s on Main, the bar on which the series is built upon. You get to meet the charismatic characters, their group dynamics, their individual quirks and strengths, the comradery that brings them together as a family, and lastly their individual stories that endear them to the readers hearts. Each book is very well written and keeps the reader’s attention to the very last word.
Breaking To Breathe is Kyle Marx’s story. Kyle is the guy we have grown to dislike in the previous two books. He is a player, he has no respect for women, he is arrogant, cocky, at times a drunk, and general ass. He is on a path to self destruction and has reached the point of rock bottem. But like most people, he has many hidden layers. What people see on the surface is a façade to hide the inner turmoil this man has endured all of his life. He has reached the point where he ready to die just to find peace from his inner demons.
One stormy night, one horrific accident, and the face of an angel will lead Kyle on a new path. First he will have to confront his demons, cleanse his soul, and let go of the past. Only his angel can understand his pain and torment. Only his angel can give him the peace he so desperately needs.
Cate has been hiding from life. She would rather be invisible than be recognized for the strong, compassionate woman she is. She has had a horrific past that has scarred her soul. Her pain was exploited in the past. She only wants to move forward in life, keep her emotions to herself, and exist in an uncomplicated world. She does not need or require any attention to have this peace. If she wants interaction with other people, mainly the opposite sex, she is going to do it on her terms and by her rules. One night only and no repeats. But one night, one accident, one man, and one place, Danny’s on Main will change everything she ever thought she wanted or needed.
One stormy night, one horrific accident, two broken people will come together and find that there is peace. They will find that love really does exist. Their story is explosive.
Breaking To Breathe is a highly emotional book. At times it will be hard to breathe when you see what Kyle and Cate have experienced in life. You will admire their strength of survival. You will rejoice when these two beautifully broken people finally find that there are rainbows in life.
Lisa N. Paul has wrote another five star book. I highly recommend Breaking To Breathe and the Charistown series. This series will keep you captivated!
February 15, 2015
This is a novel that’s deserving of ten huge stars. What an absolutely fantastic book. Hells, bells, the series itself is so bloody amazing. Lucky us, this is Kyle’s story and it’s such an emotional and beautiful story that once you start, you won’t be able to stop. If you’ve read the first two books in the
“Charistown”
series, you know what I’m talking about. Boy does Lisa N. Paul (“Paul”) know how to weave an unforgettable tale of two people who come from families where they’ve been denied any kind of love, who come together, and realize how much love they have to give, plus all the love they already have from those closest to them and that it’s been there for their taking all along. I love how with each installment time moves on, Paul doesn’t inundate her readers with constant repetition of dialogue or scenes from the earlier installments. I loved everything about this novel. Sexy and self-destructing Kyle knows he’s met his one and only “angel” when he sees Cate. Talk about heat and chemistry. These two burn up the sheets with all the sizzling, off-the-charts sexcapades. You honestly can’t get enough of them. Where other novels are filled with mundane, never-ending sex,
“Breaking to Breathe”
leaves you craving for more. Everyone from books 1 and 2 are once again together, including a few new ones. I love how the author is able to involve all the characters and have them front and center without them taking over the main story of Kyle and Cate as they’re all so important in the role each of them plays. The story is so full of love, friendship, and family. Reading this it makes you wish you were a member of just such a family. Like always, a well-written novel with the most intricate and in-depth characters that make the story come alive; taking the readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The author shines every time giving her readers a well-written story that keeps them fully engaged and intrigued from beginning to end, leaving her readers always anxious for her next book. If you haven’t read any book by this talented and gifted writer, then I suggest you stop stalling and get to it. While each novel is a stand-alone, I highly recommend you start with book 1,
“Thursday Nights.”
I personally cannot wait for the next installment as it’s about Gage and Lyla, and I’ve been waiting to read more about the gorgeous, sexy, and mysterious man named Gage since day one. Holy shit, Gage! I’ve been in love with him since being introduced to him in
“Thursday Nights.”
I find it quite intriguing that he’s the one character that makes the least number of appearances in each book. Seriously, stop hesitating and just read this series.
July 15, 2014
WOW!!!!! Let me start off by saying that even though Kyle was an ass in the first two books, more so in the second, I was eagerly anticipating his story and mam did it deliver! Lisa N. Paul certainly put us on one hell of a ride with Breaking To Breathe. I am a HUGE fan of the Charistown Series and while Breaking To Breathe can be read as a stand alone, I seriously recommend reading the first two first...just because they are amazing as well. The characters from the first two books are very much present in this book so reading the others first will give you a little more insight into them. The Charistown Series is centered around an incredible group of characters that are all friends that hang out at Danny's on Main.
Breaking To Breathe starts off where Storm Front left off but takes us back in time to important events, such as Kyle's accident where he met his "angel" Cate, the one who gave him the will to fight to survive and stayed by his side until help arrived. It was obvious in the first two books that Kyle had a chip on his shoulder but nothing could've prepared me for reason behind that chip. The emotional and physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his father was just unthinkable. He has a poor perception of women thanks to his father and he just uses and degrades them. He uses drugs, women, and alcohol to numb the pain that he lives with everyday. His shitty childhood has caused him to put a wall around his heart...if no one can get in he can't get hurt again.
Cate Lockton is broken in her own way. Cate's parents aren't really ideal either and she has her own past. She's not a fan of attention and prefers to stay in the background. With the exception of her best friend Elliot, Cate lives a pretty secluded life. But walking into Danny's on Main and seeing the man she helped in a car accident was her game changer. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to go after it.
Watching the relationship between Kyle and Cate develop was definitely emotional roller coaster and at times it was even pretty funny. The sex was off-the-charts HOTand the banter between the two was great! Lisa did a phenomenal job of having these characters overcome their pasts to find their HEA. In all honesty, at one point I wasn't sure that Kyle would be able to redeem himself but he did. He had an amazing support system and his story just goes to show that family isn't always blood.
I loved the new characters that we were introduced to in this book; Nixon, Ando, and Elliot. I would really like to see Elliot and Nixon end up together!!! But until then I will be eagerly awaiting the next book which is Gage and Lyla's story!!!!!! (Yay). A 5 star emotion-evoking read that i highly recommend1
Breaking To Breathe starts off where Storm Front left off but takes us back in time to important events, such as Kyle's accident where he met his "angel" Cate, the one who gave him the will to fight to survive and stayed by his side until help arrived. It was obvious in the first two books that Kyle had a chip on his shoulder but nothing could've prepared me for reason behind that chip. The emotional and physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his father was just unthinkable. He has a poor perception of women thanks to his father and he just uses and degrades them. He uses drugs, women, and alcohol to numb the pain that he lives with everyday. His shitty childhood has caused him to put a wall around his heart...if no one can get in he can't get hurt again.
Cate Lockton is broken in her own way. Cate's parents aren't really ideal either and she has her own past. She's not a fan of attention and prefers to stay in the background. With the exception of her best friend Elliot, Cate lives a pretty secluded life. But walking into Danny's on Main and seeing the man she helped in a car accident was her game changer. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to go after it.
Watching the relationship between Kyle and Cate develop was definitely emotional roller coaster and at times it was even pretty funny. The sex was off-the-charts HOTand the banter between the two was great! Lisa did a phenomenal job of having these characters overcome their pasts to find their HEA. In all honesty, at one point I wasn't sure that Kyle would be able to redeem himself but he did. He had an amazing support system and his story just goes to show that family isn't always blood.
I loved the new characters that we were introduced to in this book; Nixon, Ando, and Elliot. I would really like to see Elliot and Nixon end up together!!! But until then I will be eagerly awaiting the next book which is Gage and Lyla's story!!!!!! (Yay). A 5 star emotion-evoking read that i highly recommend1
July 10, 2014
Lisa Paul has delivered another feverishly addictive novel with Breaking to Breathe, the third novel in her Charistown Series. Within its pages she delves into the wicked mind of Kyle Marx. His story is definitely a roller coaster that had me alternating between loving and hating this book boyfriend. Regardless of my fluctuating feelings for Kyle, one thing is for sure – Breaking to Breathe is another five-star must read from Lisa Paul.
Oh Kyle. He is not your typical book boyfriend. He isn’t just damaged goods with a ton of baggage, his goods are pulverized and his baggage is about as vast and infinite as the universe. Bottom line: he is trouble. This version of trouble definitely comes wrapped in sexy packaging, which had ladies shamelessly throwing themselves at Kyle night after night. Cate Lockton is unlike the women Kyle cycles through his bedroom. She’s a no nonsense heroine who doesn’t melt at Kyle’s charm. She challenges him.
I loved this story because it challenged me. Normally I can brush off a hero’s womanizing ways and keep an open mind about his pending redemption. As I said before, Kyle is not your typical book boyfriend. There were times when my heart shattered for him as he found himself face-to-face with rock bottom. Other times I wanted to thrash him violently and call him a myriad of colorful, explicit names. Lisa Paul definitely worked me over emotionally with Kyle’s story. During the scenes where I wanted to castrate Kyle, it was Cate’s story that kept me captivated and unwilling to put down the novel. Her dark history was completely unexpected and came as a total shock.
I know what you’re thinking – this sounds like a drama heavy story. Well, yes, it packs an emotional punch. One element, however, overshadows the drama (and also fueled my reading frenzy and unwillingness to pause). S-E-X. Lisa Paul is a sex scene writing fiend. I don’t know how she does it, but she does it so very well. This woman gets a gold medal in all things lusty and naughty. Kyle and Cate have a chemistry that ignites the pages of Breaking to Breathe and sets this book ablaze.
Take a vacation to Charistown and treat yourself to the latest installment in Lisa Paul’s phenomenal series. Breaking to Breathe will test your sanity and leave you breathless. This is a must read for 2014!
Oh Kyle. He is not your typical book boyfriend. He isn’t just damaged goods with a ton of baggage, his goods are pulverized and his baggage is about as vast and infinite as the universe. Bottom line: he is trouble. This version of trouble definitely comes wrapped in sexy packaging, which had ladies shamelessly throwing themselves at Kyle night after night. Cate Lockton is unlike the women Kyle cycles through his bedroom. She’s a no nonsense heroine who doesn’t melt at Kyle’s charm. She challenges him.
I loved this story because it challenged me. Normally I can brush off a hero’s womanizing ways and keep an open mind about his pending redemption. As I said before, Kyle is not your typical book boyfriend. There were times when my heart shattered for him as he found himself face-to-face with rock bottom. Other times I wanted to thrash him violently and call him a myriad of colorful, explicit names. Lisa Paul definitely worked me over emotionally with Kyle’s story. During the scenes where I wanted to castrate Kyle, it was Cate’s story that kept me captivated and unwilling to put down the novel. Her dark history was completely unexpected and came as a total shock.
I know what you’re thinking – this sounds like a drama heavy story. Well, yes, it packs an emotional punch. One element, however, overshadows the drama (and also fueled my reading frenzy and unwillingness to pause). S-E-X. Lisa Paul is a sex scene writing fiend. I don’t know how she does it, but she does it so very well. This woman gets a gold medal in all things lusty and naughty. Kyle and Cate have a chemistry that ignites the pages of Breaking to Breathe and sets this book ablaze.
Take a vacation to Charistown and treat yourself to the latest installment in Lisa Paul’s phenomenal series. Breaking to Breathe will test your sanity and leave you breathless. This is a must read for 2014!
July 11, 2014
I am a huge fan of the Charistown series. Thursday Nights (book 1) and Storm Front (book 2) are two of my favorite stories. Lisa N. Paul knows how to give a reader a complete story with all the great things I love to read. And with Breaking to Breathe, you nailed every one again. There was amazing characters, hot sex, humor, sadness and a strong story that pulls you in and keeps you addicted.
The main characters in this story were Kyle and Cate. We have watched Kyle self destruct for the past two books dying to know what has lead him down the path of destruction. Kyle is a man whore who treats women like disposable plates, one use and done. He also thinks he can survive of pure alcohol alone. Even the car crash and in home arrest for countless DUIs didn’t keep him straight. In the beginning of the book, my love for Kyle waivered. He was kind of an ass to women and his closest friends who he considered family. But all my feeling for him changed as the book progressed I feel totally in love with him. His true nature came out and he was just delish. He was sweet and kind and protective.
Cate was a new character to us in this book. She is one of my favorite female characters so far this year. She went through hell and back as a child and was still going strong. The twist here, which I will not spoil for you, is something we have not seen before and was refreshing (even though it was awful). Cate was badass and wasn’t impressed with Kyle and his drunken ways. She wasn’t charmed by him but was drawn to him from their shared past.
Cate and Kyle were both hot messes when we first met them and I was scared that Lisa wouldn’t be able to write their story in a natural way without a complete 180 in a hot second but the way the story is told their connection and relationship played out beautifully. Thank you Lisa for proving me wrong! You totally kick ass!
I HIGHLY recommend this book and this series. In every book, even though you could read these as standalones, I wouldn’t so you can enjoy every word in every book because Lisa always shows us the whole crew. It is seriously one of my favorite series and I already hounded the author for whom and when we will get more.
I was given an ARC for an honest review!
The main characters in this story were Kyle and Cate. We have watched Kyle self destruct for the past two books dying to know what has lead him down the path of destruction. Kyle is a man whore who treats women like disposable plates, one use and done. He also thinks he can survive of pure alcohol alone. Even the car crash and in home arrest for countless DUIs didn’t keep him straight. In the beginning of the book, my love for Kyle waivered. He was kind of an ass to women and his closest friends who he considered family. But all my feeling for him changed as the book progressed I feel totally in love with him. His true nature came out and he was just delish. He was sweet and kind and protective.
Cate was a new character to us in this book. She is one of my favorite female characters so far this year. She went through hell and back as a child and was still going strong. The twist here, which I will not spoil for you, is something we have not seen before and was refreshing (even though it was awful). Cate was badass and wasn’t impressed with Kyle and his drunken ways. She wasn’t charmed by him but was drawn to him from their shared past.
Cate and Kyle were both hot messes when we first met them and I was scared that Lisa wouldn’t be able to write their story in a natural way without a complete 180 in a hot second but the way the story is told their connection and relationship played out beautifully. Thank you Lisa for proving me wrong! You totally kick ass!
I HIGHLY recommend this book and this series. In every book, even though you could read these as standalones, I wouldn’t so you can enjoy every word in every book because Lisa always shows us the whole crew. It is seriously one of my favorite series and I already hounded the author for whom and when we will get more.
I was given an ARC for an honest review!
January 8, 2016
**Breaking to Breathe Left Me Breathless**
Breaking to Breath is the 3rd book in the Charistown Series and centers around bad boy, Kyle Marx. Kyle has been living life on the edge. Countless women, drinking himself into oblivion and taking his surliness out on those that love him. His Charistown family has learned to endure his poor behavior because they all remember the fun and loyal person that was once Kyle Marx. One fateful night Kyle’s life changes through yet another tragedy.
Cate is a person that is fiercely loyal and does not trust easily. She does not do relationships. Her encounters with men are superficial in the fact that she uses their bodies for her pleasure and release. Unlike Kyle she does limit her sexual encounters based on her own set of rules. Cate also has secret tragedy in her past that cause her to build walls and not relationships.
The first time Kyle and Cate cross paths, there is an instant connection. Every time they encounter one another there are sparks, but these two broken souls have no possible chance together or do they? Kyle wants to be a better person and Cate pushes him to do so. However, Cate is so entrenched in her past that she is frozen in fear and unwilling to leave her comfort zone
Lisa N. Paul has created rich, complex characters and developed a great storyline for these characters to stretch and grow. This is an intriguing love story about the healing power of love and family; especially the family of our hearts. Kyle and Cate both show courage and are beautifully human and relatable. Lisa N. Paul has woven a great tapestry, filled with wonderful characters. I highly recommend Breaking to Breathe with a resounding 5 stars. The other 2 books in the Charistown Series are great reads, as well! This Series just keeps getting better.
Breaking to Breath is the 3rd book in the Charistown Series and centers around bad boy, Kyle Marx. Kyle has been living life on the edge. Countless women, drinking himself into oblivion and taking his surliness out on those that love him. His Charistown family has learned to endure his poor behavior because they all remember the fun and loyal person that was once Kyle Marx. One fateful night Kyle’s life changes through yet another tragedy.
Cate is a person that is fiercely loyal and does not trust easily. She does not do relationships. Her encounters with men are superficial in the fact that she uses their bodies for her pleasure and release. Unlike Kyle she does limit her sexual encounters based on her own set of rules. Cate also has secret tragedy in her past that cause her to build walls and not relationships.
The first time Kyle and Cate cross paths, there is an instant connection. Every time they encounter one another there are sparks, but these two broken souls have no possible chance together or do they? Kyle wants to be a better person and Cate pushes him to do so. However, Cate is so entrenched in her past that she is frozen in fear and unwilling to leave her comfort zone
Lisa N. Paul has created rich, complex characters and developed a great storyline for these characters to stretch and grow. This is an intriguing love story about the healing power of love and family; especially the family of our hearts. Kyle and Cate both show courage and are beautifully human and relatable. Lisa N. Paul has woven a great tapestry, filled with wonderful characters. I highly recommend Breaking to Breathe with a resounding 5 stars. The other 2 books in the Charistown Series are great reads, as well! This Series just keeps getting better.
November 22, 2014
5 SWEET MAN STARS!
"Tell me, Angel. Break with me."
"The shell I've spent my life hiding in shattered the first time we were together, and you've been by my side, helping me to breathe in my new surroundings every second since. You really don't know how incredible you are, Kyle, and I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
OMG I'm swooning and smiling like a giddy school girl! This story was beyond incredible! After each book in the Charistown series I wondered how Lisa can outdo herself and she NEVER ceases to amaze me! This story was horrifying, beautiful, suspenseful, emotionally charged and so so much more. It was truly and epic tale of friendship, loss, love, hatred, betrayal...I could go on and on.
Kyle and Cate both touched my soul and my heart just bleeds for them. WOW did they each go through a horrific childhood and even into adulthood! It was incredible and poetic to see how they faired. Kyle has this uncanny ability to give love and be so loyal to his FAMILY and he doesn't even realize it. It was really amazing to witness.
Lisa pulled so may emotions out of me and I couldn't wait to turn the page just to see what was next! She took me on an incredible roller coaster and I adore each and every one at Danny's on Main. I didn't think I could love and be invested in so many characters, but Danny and Julie, Max and Janie, Ryan and Ashley, Kyle and Cate, Lyla and Gage...and even Elliot and Nixon are like FAMILY to me and I cannot wait to see what happens next in Charistown! BRAVO, Lisa!!!
"Tell me, Angel. Break with me."
"The shell I've spent my life hiding in shattered the first time we were together, and you've been by my side, helping me to breathe in my new surroundings every second since. You really don't know how incredible you are, Kyle, and I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
OMG I'm swooning and smiling like a giddy school girl! This story was beyond incredible! After each book in the Charistown series I wondered how Lisa can outdo herself and she NEVER ceases to amaze me! This story was horrifying, beautiful, suspenseful, emotionally charged and so so much more. It was truly and epic tale of friendship, loss, love, hatred, betrayal...I could go on and on.
Kyle and Cate both touched my soul and my heart just bleeds for them. WOW did they each go through a horrific childhood and even into adulthood! It was incredible and poetic to see how they faired. Kyle has this uncanny ability to give love and be so loyal to his FAMILY and he doesn't even realize it. It was really amazing to witness.
Lisa pulled so may emotions out of me and I couldn't wait to turn the page just to see what was next! She took me on an incredible roller coaster and I adore each and every one at Danny's on Main. I didn't think I could love and be invested in so many characters, but Danny and Julie, Max and Janie, Ryan and Ashley, Kyle and Cate, Lyla and Gage...and even Elliot and Nixon are like FAMILY to me and I cannot wait to see what happens next in Charistown! BRAVO, Lisa!!!
July 14, 2014
Amazing series , Just Breathe
This Author is really a great writer. She brings together a family of friends all with a terrible past. Danny's On Main is the hot spot to be. Kyle comes from a past so messed up, parents that mistreated him and his little brother. The were lucky if they got fed each day. Kyle grew up being told that women were only good to use and release, they was no other use for them, so he did just that and Love was Never in the game for him. Cate had a trauma as a child and parents that took that trauma and banks the money and used and abused Cate till she shut down. Cate's only solitude was her new neighbor Ellliot her Best and close friend like a sister. Elliot's family showed her what a real family was. Once 18 her and Elliot move far away and start a New Business near Charistown . On the night of Hurricane Leo not only does it destroy Danny On Main, but Kyle is in a very bad accident and almost dies but Cate is his Angel that night when he has been given even more bad news from his past , bad enough he is ready to give up on life, Cate is there to keep him alive with word to keep going. Months later "Faith" brings them together and Kyle vows to keep his Angel in his life no matter what it takes. This is where two damaged souls try to fine a place where they both may fine a happiness they never knew they could have. But Cate's pass comes back to suck her back into the small hole she thought she never wanted to leave till Kyle. Like I said this is a great series. Meet the gang from Danny On Main.
This Author is really a great writer. She brings together a family of friends all with a terrible past. Danny's On Main is the hot spot to be. Kyle comes from a past so messed up, parents that mistreated him and his little brother. The were lucky if they got fed each day. Kyle grew up being told that women were only good to use and release, they was no other use for them, so he did just that and Love was Never in the game for him. Cate had a trauma as a child and parents that took that trauma and banks the money and used and abused Cate till she shut down. Cate's only solitude was her new neighbor Ellliot her Best and close friend like a sister. Elliot's family showed her what a real family was. Once 18 her and Elliot move far away and start a New Business near Charistown . On the night of Hurricane Leo not only does it destroy Danny On Main, but Kyle is in a very bad accident and almost dies but Cate is his Angel that night when he has been given even more bad news from his past , bad enough he is ready to give up on life, Cate is there to keep him alive with word to keep going. Months later "Faith" brings them together and Kyle vows to keep his Angel in his life no matter what it takes. This is where two damaged souls try to fine a place where they both may fine a happiness they never knew they could have. But Cate's pass comes back to suck her back into the small hole she thought she never wanted to leave till Kyle. Like I said this is a great series. Meet the gang from Danny On Main.
July 15, 2014
Let me start off by saying, I have never read any of the other books in this series... and I wish I had. This can be a stand alone, but you don't want it to be. Holy Moly are these characters hot!
Lisa N Paul told an emotional and gut wrenching story. She did it so well, you feel get so emotionally involved in these characters.
Kyle is a big time jerk. You know there is an underlying reason he is. There has to be. No one is like that for no good reason. Kyle uses women and throws them out like trash.
Then there is Cate. The total opposite of Kyle. She is sweet and caring. She has had a rough life as well, but seems to be handling it better. Cate doesn't do relationships. One nights stands are her thing. She doesn't want to get caught up in feelings that come with relationships.
Then one night Cate and Kyle are thrown together. What starts out as a one night stand, may lead to more . Neither of them want more or see a relationship forming, but these two can't get enough of each other.
Two broken and damaged souls each have so much to give, if they allow themselves to. Thanks to the secondary characters (their friends) they may get the chance to give it a go.
July 11, 2014
This was a fantastic book! I haven’t read the previous 2 books in this series and now I’m definitely going to have to go back and read them. I loved the characters and the story easily kept my interest.
Kyle and Cate had that instant connection on that fateful night but then quickly go back to their lives. Kyle is a sexy and cocky guy who treats women like their nothing. He’s dealing with a lot of demons that has instilled this mindset…until Cate. Cate is pretty non-social and very focused on her business. I instantly took a liking to both of them (despite the flaws). They seemed genuinely human and easy to read about.
The story line had me hooked from the opening scene and I couldn’t put my tablet down (even though it was the wee hours of the morning). It flowed smoothly and the scenes were well described. It made it very easy for me to imagine the scenes and situations. This was a wonderful story and I can’t wait to go back and pick up the first 2 books so I can experience the whole series. 5 out of 5 stars!
Kyle and Cate had that instant connection on that fateful night but then quickly go back to their lives. Kyle is a sexy and cocky guy who treats women like their nothing. He’s dealing with a lot of demons that has instilled this mindset…until Cate. Cate is pretty non-social and very focused on her business. I instantly took a liking to both of them (despite the flaws). They seemed genuinely human and easy to read about.
The story line had me hooked from the opening scene and I couldn’t put my tablet down (even though it was the wee hours of the morning). It flowed smoothly and the scenes were well described. It made it very easy for me to imagine the scenes and situations. This was a wonderful story and I can’t wait to go back and pick up the first 2 books so I can experience the whole series. 5 out of 5 stars!
July 16, 2014
I was lucky enough to become a fan of Lisa N Paul from the beginning of the Charistown Series Thursday Nights.
I contacted Lisa and told her how much I loved the book and how I fell in love with all of the characters in the story Storm Front . I promised to pimp her hard if she allowed me an ARC of the next book. She was gracious enough to do just that. Again I fell hard and pimped some more. While Lyla is my favorite Female and I can't wait for her story. Kyle is my favorite male I have loved him hard from the first book. Lisa N Paul did not let me down with Kyle's story. He is damaged and beautiful. I'm not giving any spoilers. Read this story. Lisa an Paul you gave Kyle a beautiful and touching story.
I contacted Lisa and told her how much I loved the book and how I fell in love with all of the characters in the story Storm Front . I promised to pimp her hard if she allowed me an ARC of the next book. She was gracious enough to do just that. Again I fell hard and pimped some more. While Lyla is my favorite Female and I can't wait for her story. Kyle is my favorite male I have loved him hard from the first book. Lisa N Paul did not let me down with Kyle's story. He is damaged and beautiful. I'm not giving any spoilers. Read this story. Lisa an Paul you gave Kyle a beautiful and touching story.
September 15, 2014
Love the story...
Hate the wait! I wish authors would get them out a bit closer, for me I feel like I lose some of the details, which lessens the overall experience, in this case the bond of the Charistown "family"! I got some catch up time in this one but for example, I really don't remember Janie, Max, Ryan, and Ashley's details? Boo!
That being said, I really enjoy LNP's writing. I love how it feels like an uphill climb to happy but the ride gives you chills and flutters because the chemistry is electric! The men in this town are well...Yummy! The ladies are feisty. They all form a loving dysfunctional family. It's fun to read and it is sexy!
Cate and Kyle are no exception. I love a good man-whore being brought to his knees. Wait that was Cate
Hate the wait! I wish authors would get them out a bit closer, for me I feel like I lose some of the details, which lessens the overall experience, in this case the bond of the Charistown "family"! I got some catch up time in this one but for example, I really don't remember Janie, Max, Ryan, and Ashley's details? Boo!
That being said, I really enjoy LNP's writing. I love how it feels like an uphill climb to happy but the ride gives you chills and flutters because the chemistry is electric! The men in this town are well...Yummy! The ladies are feisty. They all form a loving dysfunctional family. It's fun to read and it is sexy!
Cate and Kyle are no exception. I love a good man-whore being brought to his knees. Wait that was Cate
October 5, 2015
Well what can I say!!!!
I TOTALLYYYYYYYYYYY ENJOYED THIS BOOK KYLE AND CATE WERE TOTALLY EMOTIONAL AND JUST A PERFECT MATCH.
I AM DYING TO READ MORE ABOUT ELLIOTT IF I HAD A BEST FRIEND LIKE THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME SHE MADE YOU FORGET THAT SHE WAS A CHARACTER IN A BOOK YOU WANTED HER TO BE REAL!!! AS FOR LYLA WELL HER STORY IS WELL OVERDUE.
MS PAUL I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PULL YOUR READERS IN BUT DONT EVER CHANGE!!!! IF YOU BOUGHT A BOOK OUT EVERY MONTH I WOULD ALWAYS READ THEM REGARDLESS OF THE REVIEWS BECAUSE YOU TOTALLY HAVE ME HOOKED!!!
THANK YOU AND PLEASE DONT TELL ME THAT THE NEXT BOOK WILL BE 2015 OR I WILL BAWL MY EYES OUT!!!!
I TOTALLYYYYYYYYYYY ENJOYED THIS BOOK KYLE AND CATE WERE TOTALLY EMOTIONAL AND JUST A PERFECT MATCH.
I AM DYING TO READ MORE ABOUT ELLIOTT IF I HAD A BEST FRIEND LIKE THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME SHE MADE YOU FORGET THAT SHE WAS A CHARACTER IN A BOOK YOU WANTED HER TO BE REAL!!! AS FOR LYLA WELL HER STORY IS WELL OVERDUE.
MS PAUL I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU PULL YOUR READERS IN BUT DONT EVER CHANGE!!!! IF YOU BOUGHT A BOOK OUT EVERY MONTH I WOULD ALWAYS READ THEM REGARDLESS OF THE REVIEWS BECAUSE YOU TOTALLY HAVE ME HOOKED!!!
THANK YOU AND PLEASE DONT TELL ME THAT THE NEXT BOOK WILL BE 2015 OR I WILL BAWL MY EYES OUT!!!!
March 23, 2016
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VC24LW
4.5 stars - I have to say that I really enjoy this series and how all the characters are woven together in each story. The author's writing definitely improves with each book. I cannot wait to read what happens with the rest of the series. Each book "can" be read as a stand alone - as each book is based on a different couple's story, but if you read them out of order, you will be ruining certain parts of the other books with spoilers. While I enjoyed this book and these characters, I have to say that book #2 Storm Front is still my favorite. Make sure to add this book and series on your to read list.
Full review to come
4.5 stars - I have to say that I really enjoy this series and how all the characters are woven together in each story. The author's writing definitely improves with each book. I cannot wait to read what happens with the rest of the series. Each book "can" be read as a stand alone - as each book is based on a different couple's story, but if you read them out of order, you will be ruining certain parts of the other books with spoilers. While I enjoyed this book and these characters, I have to say that book #2 Storm Front is still my favorite. Make sure to add this book and series on your to read list.
Full review to come
July 11, 2014
You will definitely fall for all the characters in this series. You will want to go to Danny's on Main in Chairstown. This is the third in the series and I loved it as much as the first two. There is not one character I dislike and I want to be friends with them all.
This is Kyle and Cate story... They both have a terrible childhood. Kyle turns to alcohol and women. Cate turns invisible. They don't know how to love or be loved. Can they both heal one another or is their past going to get in the way.
Can't wait for more in this series. I want to see Lyla's story with Gage. I would love to see both wedding of Max/Janie and Ashley/Ryan and of course more of Kyle and Cate.
This is Kyle and Cate story... They both have a terrible childhood. Kyle turns to alcohol and women. Cate turns invisible. They don't know how to love or be loved. Can they both heal one another or is their past going to get in the way.
Can't wait for more in this series. I want to see Lyla's story with Gage. I would love to see both wedding of Max/Janie and Ashley/Ryan and of course more of Kyle and Cate.
August 5, 2014
I was very fortunate to get an advanced copy of Breaking to Breath. I loved this 3rd book in the
Charistown series and cannot wait for the 4th. Lisa Paul wove this story together beautifully !
Watching Kyle and Cate grow emotionally, both seperately and together, was beautiful.
The sex scenes between these two characters was off the charts. Hot, steamy, lust filled,sexy,
and loving are just a few adjectives that come to mind. This was a beautifully written book that
no one should miss reading !
Charistown series and cannot wait for the 4th. Lisa Paul wove this story together beautifully !
Watching Kyle and Cate grow emotionally, both seperately and together, was beautiful.
The sex scenes between these two characters was off the charts. Hot, steamy, lust filled,sexy,
and loving are just a few adjectives that come to mind. This was a beautifully written book that
no one should miss reading !
August 4, 2015
(Read forever ago - copying my review from Amazon here)
Love this story and the whole Charistown series. Lisa Paul does not disappoint. Kyle is a complex and beautiful man making for a complex and beautiful story. Then there is Cate and her best friend, Elliot. These two girls could not have been a better addition to the crew at Danny's. This was a fantastic read and I seriously can't wait for the next one in the series. I highly recommend starting with Thursday Nights, you will fall in love with these characters and never want to leave Charistown.
Love this story and the whole Charistown series. Lisa Paul does not disappoint. Kyle is a complex and beautiful man making for a complex and beautiful story. Then there is Cate and her best friend, Elliot. These two girls could not have been a better addition to the crew at Danny's. This was a fantastic read and I seriously can't wait for the next one in the series. I highly recommend starting with Thursday Nights, you will fall in love with these characters and never want to leave Charistown.
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