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Break Through
At the age of eight, Aspen Fairchild is kidnapped. Taken hostage by a man she trusts. Five years later she escapes, vowing never to trust another man. Now she's an adult and she's kept the promise she made to herself as a child, keeping men at a distance. Carter Johnston is talented and charming. A photographer well known for his ability to capture the true essence of his subjects. When Carter is assigned to photograph Aspen for an article in a prominent magazine, the connection between them is undeniable. Aspen is drawn to Carter's charm and artistic ability. As they grow closer, the walls Aspen has built around her heart for years begin to crumble. Until she finds a photograph in Carter's house which catapults her back to her time in captivity. A photograph Carter shouldn't have. Will the truth cause her to shut down or will he finally break through?
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2014
27 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Amber Garza
53 books1,408 followersAmber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California, which is also home to another Amber Garza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 1, 2014
"He didn't look at me with crude fascination like the reporter had. No, he almost seemed to look right through me as if I was a window and what he wanted was to be outside enjoying the sunshine."
This book was a whole lot more than what I expected. I loved Break Free and I couldn't wait for the 2nd book. This is a standalone and has nothing to do with the first story. This is about a kidnapping of a young girl who was held captive from not a stranger but a family friend, so they thought at the time. Aspen Fairchild was kidnapped when she was 7 but wasn't able to break free till 5 years later.
The story takes place 15 years after her kidnapping in a small town called Red Blossom. She has an interview for a magazine called "National View" of her true story but also meets a professional photographer Carter Johnston. Aspen feels very uncomfortable about telling her story to Neil so Carter is able to take over to do the full story with him instead.
This story took me to places unexpectedly. It is full of suspense, emotional twists, and the awakening of a beautiful breathtaking break through.
"The scared little girl that fought to come out all the time was tucked away tight. With Carter's eyes on mine, I truly felt like a woman."
This book was a whole lot more than what I expected. I loved Break Free and I couldn't wait for the 2nd book. This is a standalone and has nothing to do with the first story. This is about a kidnapping of a young girl who was held captive from not a stranger but a family friend, so they thought at the time. Aspen Fairchild was kidnapped when she was 7 but wasn't able to break free till 5 years later.
The story takes place 15 years after her kidnapping in a small town called Red Blossom. She has an interview for a magazine called "National View" of her true story but also meets a professional photographer Carter Johnston. Aspen feels very uncomfortable about telling her story to Neil so Carter is able to take over to do the full story with him instead.
This story took me to places unexpectedly. It is full of suspense, emotional twists, and the awakening of a beautiful breathtaking break through.
"The scared little girl that fought to come out all the time was tucked away tight. With Carter's eyes on mine, I truly felt like a woman."
July 6, 2014
Another great one by Garza, very tough subject. I loved seeing Aspen grow & move on with her life. Of course I loved Carter, he was amazingly sweet & adorable. All I can say is that I love Garza's male characters; they are the type of guy you should want; a gentleman.
January 2, 2016
4.5
-Esta escritora me ha dejado gratamente impresionada por el giro de la historia. Me tuvo en vilo toda la semana con ganas de saber más, aunque a ratos Aspen me saco de quicio.
-La historia me pareció hermosa, inesperada. . .Te deja sin palabras, mientras vas leyendo vas sacando conclusiones, y a medida que vas avanzando te vas dando cuenta de lo erróneas que son . . .es de esas lecturas que no son para nada predecibles, no te esperas nada de lo que te da .
-Aunque hay muchas lagunas, partes en las que pudo haber escrito algo más, es un buen libro. Aspen en serio que a veces me desesperó, pero igual era entendible por lo que pasó. Carter en realidad fue honesto, paciente, romántico y amable con Aspen y eso la ayudó a poder decir lo que a nadie había dicho.
-Me encantó este libro, nunca esperé lo que vine a encontrar y es emocionante, y aunque también me parece que hubieron cosas que estaban muy consolidadas, disfruté mucho el libro.
-En general es una historia muy buena, linda aunque en ocasiones desesperante, para nada predecible por más que lo parezca.
-Bueno fue una historia interesante, Aspen pasó por muchas situaciones difíciles, y a pesar de pasar 10 años desde el suceso, ella estaba como en prisión en su propia casa, y luego viene Carter y la ayuda, le tiene una paciencia increíble, le enseña a como confiar en las personas y le da todo su apoyo.
-Me sorprendió mucho esta lectura lo cual se noto cuando me adelante en la lectura, me gusto la lectura y al final Aspen pudo ver las cosas claras como realmente fueron para poder dejarlas atrás, y Cárter fue el mejor el realmente la amo y le ayudar a seguir con su vida y no dejar que Kurt le robara más De lo que perdió cuando él la secuestro.
-Esta escritora me ha dejado gratamente impresionada por el giro de la historia. Me tuvo en vilo toda la semana con ganas de saber más, aunque a ratos Aspen me saco de quicio.
-La historia me pareció hermosa, inesperada. . .Te deja sin palabras, mientras vas leyendo vas sacando conclusiones, y a medida que vas avanzando te vas dando cuenta de lo erróneas que son . . .es de esas lecturas que no son para nada predecibles, no te esperas nada de lo que te da .
-Aunque hay muchas lagunas, partes en las que pudo haber escrito algo más, es un buen libro. Aspen en serio que a veces me desesperó, pero igual era entendible por lo que pasó. Carter en realidad fue honesto, paciente, romántico y amable con Aspen y eso la ayudó a poder decir lo que a nadie había dicho.
-Me encantó este libro, nunca esperé lo que vine a encontrar y es emocionante, y aunque también me parece que hubieron cosas que estaban muy consolidadas, disfruté mucho el libro.
-En general es una historia muy buena, linda aunque en ocasiones desesperante, para nada predecible por más que lo parezca.
-Bueno fue una historia interesante, Aspen pasó por muchas situaciones difíciles, y a pesar de pasar 10 años desde el suceso, ella estaba como en prisión en su propia casa, y luego viene Carter y la ayuda, le tiene una paciencia increíble, le enseña a como confiar en las personas y le da todo su apoyo.
-Me sorprendió mucho esta lectura lo cual se noto cuando me adelante en la lectura, me gusto la lectura y al final Aspen pudo ver las cosas claras como realmente fueron para poder dejarlas atrás, y Cárter fue el mejor el realmente la amo y le ayudar a seguir con su vida y no dejar que Kurt le robara más De lo que perdió cuando él la secuestro.
June 27, 2014
Loved it!!!
June 28, 2014
I loved this book! It wasn't cliche at all. It had a twist I didn't see coming! It was great!
September 9, 2015
Can you say, Roller-coaster of emotions here
Man, that was something to read. I never read a book like that, I read about characters having difficult past, shitty parents etc but never had the main character gone through a kidnapping and reading how she's still in that world, reliving it and making sure she's not imprisoned anymore. I don't know if it was good that she avoided confrontation from everyone, being kidnapped for years then getting back to the society You'd hope that the therapist would push her to socialize. But we see how her parents are too, very protective.
The whole situation is understandable really, Aspen still has that innocence in her and even if she did grew up she still throw tantrums and avoid talking at all. It was a bit frustrating because she's 23 and would not stand on her feet after all those years been free.
I guess she needed some motivation huh! *Grins* Which came in the image of Carter, good-looking and heart warming Carter. I was in awe with such a character and always suspicious because of Aspen's doubt on everything. I guess it made me paranoid too, it happens when you're so engrossed in a book.
I love the flow of the plot, there was not a lot retrospection about the kidnapping time, which fit the genre of this story and that Aspen is learning to be normal again. I love that the author did not dwell on past details, or make Aspen whiny, everything was clear, simple and straight to the point that its almost real. You think of all victims of kidnapping. Awful!
And damn I did not see that twist at the end, She kept talking about Eve but WOW, I really thought Eve was Carter's sister. It made sense though, if she was, he would have definitely ask about Eve with Aspen like 'did my sister suffer a lot?' question, you expect that. And also, why would Carter be in Red Blossom if Eve was indeed his sister, is he stalking Aspen? But that reveal, the truth. It was bitter but its the truth and that's what was needed to help Aspen to heal, to let go.
She was not a coward, she was a victim and now a survivor. It was a very beautiful story.
I think I can let my breath out now.
March 12, 2016
Me hizo sentir muy incómoda. Después de todo lo que le pasó a Aspen en esos cinco años, creo que me resultó más difícil confiar en Carter a mí que a ella. Lo juro, en el momento que se plantó en esa puerta, con una cámara en mano, una sonrisa de chico bueno y la ropita cuidada empecé a sospechar.
La culpa la tiene la sinopsis, que me dice que Carter tiene una fotografía que no debía haber tenido y mis sensores de alerta se pusieron como locos. Pasé todo el libro con sospechas locas como que Carter:
1. Era hijo de su secuestrador.
2. Fue otro chico secuestrado.
3. Era sobrino del secuestrador.
4. Aprendiz del secuestrador.
5. Un asesino en serie.
6. Un hechicero.
Aunque la relación no me gustó porque de verdad tenía miedo de Carter y de lo "demasiado bueno" que parecía y lo "sospechoso" que resulta que salga así de la nada, el giro hacia el final me sorprendió mucho. Y me sorprende más que después de diez años Aspen no lo descubriera por sí misma. O que nadie se molestara a decírselo. O que los terapeutas no se lo hubieran sacado.
Hubiera sido una lectura más tranquila para mí si no hubiera tenido todo el tiempo la sensación de que Carter sacaría un cuchillo y la violaría.
La culpa la tiene la sinopsis, que me dice que Carter tiene una fotografía que no debía haber tenido y mis sensores de alerta se pusieron como locos. Pasé todo el libro con sospechas locas como que Carter:
1. Era hijo de su secuestrador.
2. Fue otro chico secuestrado.
3. Era sobrino del secuestrador.
4. Aprendiz del secuestrador.
5. Un asesino en serie.
6. Un hechicero.
Aunque la relación no me gustó porque de verdad tenía miedo de Carter y de lo "demasiado bueno" que parecía y lo "sospechoso" que resulta que salga así de la nada, el giro hacia el final me sorprendió mucho. Y me sorprende más que después de diez años Aspen no lo descubriera por sí misma. O que nadie se molestara a decírselo. O que los terapeutas no se lo hubieran sacado.
Hubiera sido una lectura más tranquila para mí si no hubiera tenido todo el tiempo la sensación de que Carter sacaría un cuchillo y la violaría.
September 29, 2015
Muy bien manejada la trama, el argumento, me parece acorde el tratamiento que se le da al tema, en algunos puntos tentada a dejarlo pero al final enganchada, me gusto
September 11, 2014
Check out more of my reviews on my blog www.gemmareadstoomuchforittomenormal....
Break Through is a standalone novel by an author I love; I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review so here goes...
OMG I wasn’t expecting that.
I’ve read quite a few of Amber Garza’s books and I would have said that she writes light, summery romances.
Well no more!!! I recently read Break Free and I loved the grit and darkness to it here’s a link to my review.
Well Break Through takes the darkness to another level. This is a harrowing story about a women trying to come to terms with being kidnapped as a child and held hostage for five years.
This story drew me in on so many levels; I simply could not put it down.
Aspens character is naive and has a youthful innocence that is completely engaging. Hidden behind the child like behaviour is a young women so scarred by a traumatic experience that she barely functions in normal day to day life.
This book felt so incredibly real to me it could have been non-fiction. Aspens flashbacks had me on the verge of tears every time.
I wanted to go and check on my kids the moment I finished this book, as a parent your child being taken from you is the most terrifying thought. This book had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck!!
I loved Carter he was her knight in shining armour and I fell completely in love with him.
I feel like I have been tense the entire time I read this book, it honestly really had an effect on me.
Who Eve was came as a complete shock to me and managed to make me just feel complete devastation for Aspen and the horrors she suffered.
I loved this book, I didn’t particularly like it. But I loved it, I feel moved and haunted, I’m not quite sure what it did to me but anything that can stir this strong a reaction in me deserves 5 stars.
Break Through is a standalone novel by an author I love; I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review so here goes...
OMG I wasn’t expecting that.
I’ve read quite a few of Amber Garza’s books and I would have said that she writes light, summery romances.
Well no more!!! I recently read Break Free and I loved the grit and darkness to it here’s a link to my review.
Well Break Through takes the darkness to another level. This is a harrowing story about a women trying to come to terms with being kidnapped as a child and held hostage for five years.
This story drew me in on so many levels; I simply could not put it down.
Aspens character is naive and has a youthful innocence that is completely engaging. Hidden behind the child like behaviour is a young women so scarred by a traumatic experience that she barely functions in normal day to day life.
This book felt so incredibly real to me it could have been non-fiction. Aspens flashbacks had me on the verge of tears every time.
I wanted to go and check on my kids the moment I finished this book, as a parent your child being taken from you is the most terrifying thought. This book had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck!!
I loved Carter he was her knight in shining armour and I fell completely in love with him.
I feel like I have been tense the entire time I read this book, it honestly really had an effect on me.
Who Eve was came as a complete shock to me and managed to make me just feel complete devastation for Aspen and the horrors she suffered.
I loved this book, I didn’t particularly like it. But I loved it, I feel moved and haunted, I’m not quite sure what it did to me but anything that can stir this strong a reaction in me deserves 5 stars.
November 27, 2015
Esperaba algo bastante diferente de este libro. Me sorprendió bastante, causa demasiadas emociones, y sobre todo juega con la mente. Eso me encanta, sin embargo siento que hubieron cosas que no estaban muy consolidadas, o solo son dudas que me quedaron a mí, no lo se...
Carter, es un personaje demasiado dulce, paciente, encantador. Aspen, es una niña atrapada, que lucha hasta el final por su libertada, pero al final vemos como va realmente avanzando hacia eso.
Un emocionante y dulce final.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mis recuerdos ya no me mantenían cautiva. Me había convertido en ese cometa que siempre había soñado, viva y libre.
Carter, es un personaje demasiado dulce, paciente, encantador. Aspen, es una niña atrapada, que lucha hasta el final por su libertada, pero al final vemos como va realmente avanzando hacia eso.
Un emocionante y dulce final.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mis recuerdos ya no me mantenían cautiva. Me había convertido en ese cometa que siempre había soñado, viva y libre.
January 13, 2018
La historia me tuvo entretenida desde el inicio, había tal cosa que me molestaba un poco pero eran detalles. Luego cuando dio ese giro inesperado estaba realmente impresionada por como cambió toda la historia y quería saber que iba a pasar, como iba a cambiar todo, como esto iba a hacer que existiera un antes y después para la protagonista pero...pero...me decepcionó mucho el después y bastante, porque entiendo que cada persona acepta y deals con un trauma de manera diferente pero el como ella lo hizo me pareció que era una manera rápida de terminarlo todo y pensé que se iba a explotar mas desde ahí, esto me decepcionó un poco debo decir :/
June 27, 2014
I liked this book, but I would have liked it a lot more if they wouldn't have kinda glossed over her issues at the end. I mean that's a pretty serious revelation people, it's gonna eff you up. Anyway, totally worth reading.
November 26, 2015
Te deja sin palabras, mientras vas leyendo vas sacando conclusiones, y a medida que vas avanzando te vas dando cuenta de lo erróneas que son...La recomiendo, es de esas lecturas que no son para nada predecibles, no te esperas nada de lo que te da… Y como dije en un comienzo te deja sin palabras.
August 27, 2014
i expect this to be a heavy and dramatic book..
but it's just a light read..i really enjoyed it!
but it's just a light read..i really enjoyed it!
June 29, 2014
Review to come! Great read!
August 6, 2014
A beautiful story about a subject which most of us wish was never a story at all.
September 3, 2014
Beautiful story! Loved it.
May 27, 2024
Second read: 🥺🥺🥺💖 I still love thia book. 2024
First ready: I loved it. It surprised me wow great book. Short and great... I started all over again. ♥ Can´t wait for reading Break Free.
First ready: I loved it. It surprised me wow great book. Short and great... I started all over again. ♥ Can´t wait for reading Break Free.
August 8, 2014
Well O...M...G, that was some twist.... So did not see that coming!
November 6, 2015
Voy a decir sólo una cosa: WOW, THAT PLOT TWIST!
November 10, 2020
Estrellas: 3
A pesar de que el final tuvo la mejor parte, desde el principio creo que la protagonista es presionada. Y esa presión termina en una relación que no me termino de convencer ya que llegas a creer que debido a lo que paso no seria fácil para ella confiar en cualquier extraño tan rápido, y ella lo hace.
También la forma en la que enfrenta lo que le paso seria lo mas lógico debido al trauma.
A pesar de que el final tuvo la mejor parte, desde el principio creo que la protagonista es presionada. Y esa presión termina en una relación que no me termino de convencer ya que llegas a creer que debido a lo que paso no seria fácil para ella confiar en cualquier extraño tan rápido, y ella lo hace.
También la forma en la que enfrenta lo que le paso seria lo mas lógico debido al trauma.
February 3, 2018
Great story
January 7, 2019
Un buen plot twist.
August 28, 2019
Pues, para ser un libro mas del montón, me pareció interesante que tocaran el tema sobre la enfermedad mental aunque al final la autora no lo supo aprovechar y lo dejo asi al final...
June 9, 2020
horrible! pan con lo mismo de; me secuestraron, y me quitaron mi vida. Pero llega un tipo bonito y se le olvida todo u.u
June 26, 2014
Aspen was kidnapped by a family friend at age 8. He held her captive for 5 years and then she was freed. Her mother wants her to sell her story to a national magazine 10 years after her freedom and Carter is the photographer hired to take pictures for the story. Carter does his best to try and get Aspen to come out of her self-imposed exile. Aspen's mother treats her as if she is still 8 and tries to stop Aspen from doing anything she perceives will bring her harm. It was a nice story with a twist towards the end that was unexpected. Carter tried to teach Aspen that her past didn't have to define her, she could be what she wanted and her abductor didn't have to control her actions any more. The build-up during the book was great, however, I would have liked more insight into Aspen's future at the end. I would give it 3.5 stars.
January 27, 2015
A well written account of the kidnapping of a young school girl. Miss Garza did a thorough job writing this book covering the key parts of a girls abduction with eloquence and clarity. Introducing us to Carter the romantic part of this story who helped Aspen come to terms with her terrifying ordeal was brilliant. The way that the author released tiny parts of the capture into the present day of an adult Aspen lured me into the story. I was captivated until nearly the final page. The ending was too abrupt for me and I turned several pages to find if I had missed anything and expected an epilogue but no not to be. Too bad until then it was a five star read. Hence the 4 stars.
February 10, 2017
Actual rating - 3.5
December 13, 2015
Me surgieron un montón de "peros" a lo largo de la historia, más que nada por reacciones de ella, pero...después de pensarlo eran lógicas por todo lo que había vivido.
Lo que más me gustó (además de Carter que me pareció re amor) fue el giro argumental. Me tomó completamente por sorpresa. Me estaba haciendo la idea sobre cosas que...nada que ver. Aplaudo eso, me gusta cuando la historia me sorprende.
En fin, me gustó bastante el libro para haber sido uno que empecé porque el protagonista era fotógrafo JAJAJAJA quetristelomio.
Lo que más me gustó (además de Carter que me pareció re amor) fue el giro argumental. Me tomó completamente por sorpresa. Me estaba haciendo la idea sobre cosas que...nada que ver. Aplaudo eso, me gusta cuando la historia me sorprende.
En fin, me gustó bastante el libro para haber sido uno que empecé porque el protagonista era fotógrafo JAJAJAJA quetristelomio.
June 27, 2014
It was an interesting story. I liked the twist at the end and I hadn't seen it coming which was nice.
Aspen's immaturity irritated me as did they way her mother treated her.
There were a few mistakes that annoyed me, such as we are told Aspen is 23 and Carter is 26 but Aspen comments on the fact that carter is just a year older than her... Little things like this detract from the story for me.
Aspen's immaturity irritated me as did they way her mother treated her.
There were a few mistakes that annoyed me, such as we are told Aspen is 23 and Carter is 26 but Aspen comments on the fact that carter is just a year older than her... Little things like this detract from the story for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews