A Pedra Partida (European Portuguese) (A Saga da Pedra Livro 5)

The Stone Saga #5

by Dakota Willink, Amalia Igreja (Translator)

Será que perder tudo será suficiente para os salvar, ou irá destruí-los para sempre?

Alexander
Krystina ofereceu-me o seu coração, e eu dei-lhe o meu livremente e sem reservas.
Ela era o anjo que me guiou para a salvação, iluminando todos os lugares dentro de mim que tinham permanecido escuros durante a maior parte da minha vida.
Não havia como negar a ligação que partilhávamos.Mas agora, era ela quem tinha caído na escuridão.
Eu podia controlar muitas coisas, mas não conseguia libertá-la do abismo negro.
Por mais que tentasse, não tinha forma de a salvar — especialmente depois de ela ter mudado todas as regras.

Krystina
O meu marido era tão belo quanto possessivo. Eu precisava dele como precisava do ar que respirava.
Então porque me sentia a sufocar?
Suponho que todo o período de lua de mel tem uma data de validade, e parecia que Alexander e eu tínhamos chegado ao fim da nossa felicidade.
Agora estava envolta em solidão e num arrepio frio de incerteza.Então, quando o destino mudou da forma mais inesperada, encontrei-me a ousar ter esperança novamente.
O meu único problema era Alexander.
Ele não via as coisas como eu.
Não importava o quanto eu o desejava. Tinha de me libertar dos laços que me prendiam.
Ou Alexander estaria comigo, ou estaria contra mim.

A Pedra Partida é a impressionante conclusão da saga emocionalmente intensa da autora best-seller do USA Today, Dakota Willink. A devoção de Alexander e Krystina um pelo outro será testada como nunca antes. Será que finalmente conseguirão o que os seus corações desejam, ou será que o Destino lhes dará um desafio que os irá quebrar?

AVISO DE Este livro aborda temas de perda de gravidez e infertilidade, e pode ser difícil para alguns leitores.

Genres: Romance, Smut, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2022

About the author

Dakota Willink is an Award-Winning USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves writing about damaged heroes who fall in love with sassy and independent females. Her books are character-driven, emotional, and sexy, yet written with a flare that keeps them real. With a wide range of published books, a magazine publication, and the Leave Me Breathless World under her belt, Dakota's imagination is constantly spinning new ideas.

The Stone Series is Dakota's first published book series. It has been recognized for various awards and bestseller lists, including USA Today and the Readers' Favorite 2017 Gold Medal in Romance, and has since been translated into multiple languages internationally. The Fade Into You series (formally known as the Cadence duet) was a finalist in the HEAR Now Festival Independent Audiobook Awards. In addition, Dakota has written under the alternate pen name, Marie Christy. Under this name, she has written and published a children's book for charity titled, And I Smile. Also writing as Marie Christy, she was a contributor to the Blunder Woman Productions project, Nevertheless We Persisted: Me Too, a 2019 Audie Award Finalist and Earphones Awards Winner. This project inspired Dakota to write The Sound of Silence, a dark romantic suspense novel.

Dakota often says she survived her first publishing with coffee and wine. She’s an unabashed Star Wars fanatic and still dreams of getting her letter from Hogwarts one day. Her daily routines usually include rocking Lululemon yoga pants, putting on lipstick, and obsessing over Excel spreadsheets. She enjoys traveling with her husband and debating social and economic issues with her politically savvy Generation Z son and daughter. Two spoiled Cavaliers are her furry writing companions who bring her daily smiles.

Official Website: www.dakotawillink.com

Reviews

[Hollie Senn Bookish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best series I've read. Krystina and Alex are everything but this book took me on an emotionally devastating ride that I'm not sorry one but I went on. Krystina is in total darkness and feels completely lost. Alex doesn't know how to deal. So these two have to try to fight there way out of all this emotion to come together. Beautifully devastating. What a perfect ending to an amazing story.

[CK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing end to the series. Definitely be aware of some triggers- but that beginning ripped my heart out. Well worth the read- the journey was perfect! As was the hea!!!

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to finish the series. I’ll never get that time back.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in The Stone series and it concludes Alexander and Krystina's story. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as Alexander and Krystina have to go through even more heartbreak and loss which causes them to drift apart but will they eventually be able to mend the divide and barriers that has grown between them or is it too late for them already. This is a truly amazing series and I definitely recommend you read it and you will not be disappointed and I can't wait to see what Dakota Willink writes next.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krystina and Alex have been through so much and in this book it is no different. They have suffered from miscarriage and loss. There are so many emotions that are impactful and powerful in this book. This is a beautiful story and fantastic ending to this series. I highly recommend this series!.

#DragonflyInkReview

[Keza Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

After following this series from the beginning it was absolutely wonderful to read the final story to Alexander and Krystina Stone's story.

At the end of book #4 we seen they were preparing for parenthood and happy endings.

But in Breaking Stone it's clear their story isn't quire over yet.

This couple have been through alot, Heartbreakingly so....

But I have to say this being my first book/s by Dakota Willink I absolutely love her writing and I am looking forward to reading Greyson Hughes story and discovering her other books.

This series is a must read but best to start from the beginning with Heart of Stone. It will not disappoint.

ARC Review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story even though it brought tears to my eyes more than once. It is a heartwarming story that brings a conclusion to many of the unanswered threads. Krystina said that “everything happens for a reason” and that is the motif for much of this story and while there were some hiccups along the way, the ending is sweet and satisfying.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dakota Willink’s “Breaking Stone,” the anticipated conclusion to her bestselling series, plunges readers back into the tumultuous and passionate world of Alexander and Krystina. This installment intensifies their already profound connection, subjecting their devotion to its most severe test yet. The central question posed – will losing everything be enough to save them, or will it break them forever? – hangs heavy throughout the narrative, driving the emotional core of the story.

Alexander’s perspective reveals a man utterly devoted to Krystina, viewing her as his salvation and the light in his once-dark existence. His helplessness as she descends into her own abyss is palpable, creating a sense of desperate urgency. His inability to control her fate, especially after she “changes all the rules,” highlights the limitations of even the most profound love when faced with internal struggles.

Krystina’s voice offers a stark contrast, painting a picture of suffocating possessiveness beneath the initial bliss of their marriage. Her yearning for freedom and a shift in destiny suggests an internal conflict that transcends her love for Alexander. Her desire to “break free of the ties that bind” sets the stage for a potentially devastating clash, forcing Alexander to either accept her evolving needs or risk losing her entirely.

Willink masterfully crafts a narrative where the stakes are incredibly high. The series’ established devotion between Alexander and Krystina is now threatened not by external forces, but by internal shifts and conflicting desires. The question of whether their love can withstand such profound personal challenges forms the crux of the story. Will they find a way to reconcile their individual needs with their deep connection, or will the weight of their struggles shatter their bond irrevocably? “Breaking Stone” promises a dramatic and emotionally charged conclusion that will undoubtedly leave readers breathless as they discover the ultimate fate of Alexander and Krystina’s love.

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

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Krystina are faced with yet another tragedy when their daughter is born at 28 weeks and doesn't survive. They each approach their grief differently and Krystina doesn't believe Alex misses Liliana as much as she does because he doesn't go to the cemetery with her. But, in true Andrew fashion his concern is Krystina and he hides his sorrow.

Each of the novels in this series seems to present at several issues for them to face. In addition to the death of their daughter there are two other major issues they will face that just might break them.

Remember Hannah the embezzler and hostage taker who Krystina talked off the ledge and befriended. And, remember how Krystina promised to protect her daughter if she had to go to prison. Fortunately, Krystina helped Hannah and she didn't go to prison. Fast forward and Hannah commits suicide. Hannah's friend contacts Krys and reminds her of her promise. When she presents this to Alex, he vehemently opposes bringing the little girl into their home. But, Krys is determined and they separate. They each hate being away from the other but Krystina holds firm. After Justine and Hale emphasize his hypocrisy, he sends Krystina and Eva an invitation to join him on the yacht. And, all is forgiven and he agrees to stand with her in the adoption process. Of course, Eva's charms and precociousness seal the deal further.

And, just when everything seems to be going smoothly Krystina 's sperm donor resurfaces. A big issue involving stalking, threats and blackmail. $5,000,000 worth!!!

[Midnightfairies · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars... I so wanted to give this series 5 stars, however what occurs very early in this book prevented me from being able to do so.

Book 4 ended beautifully, with Krystina finally carrying a pregnancy past the first trimester, as a reader I was so invested and overjoyed that they were finally getting the family they craved.
Then the author ripped it away almost immediately in book 5. BROKE MY HEART!
Here's my thoughts...

What I liked...

* Eva...OMG what a little cutie! That little girl stole the show!!

* A realistic and sensitive portrayal of loss (still birth)

* Finally getting their HEA as a family

What I didn't like as much...

* The still birth...I understand why this couple couldn't have their own child. If they had we wouldn't have had the story with Eva. HOWEVER I read an entire book (book4) about this couples struggle to have a baby, we the reader were told it had a HEA (which it did) then the HEA was cruelly snatched away almost immediately in book 5.

* The way Alex spoke about Eva without even meeting her, it was uncomfortable.

* No extended epilogue!!! After 5 books I think we deserved to more than 5 mths into the future. Grrr.

I have absolutely loved this series and I'm so sad its over.
Please give us a bonus chapter (extended epilogue) I need to see how Krys, Alex and Eva have grown as a family.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was a perfect ending to a brilliant series that took you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and this book had me hooked on turning the pages right up to the thrilling conclusion. Alexander and Krystina have had a rocky road start in the beginning and had to to fight for not only there lives but for there love and with twists and turns, highs and lows are just a part of there lives and in this book is no different after the last book had us excited about Krystina and Alexander have finally fallen pregnant and after so many miscarriages they couldn’t wait to meet the daughter Liliana then at 28 weeks she looses the baby and it breaks her and she is so lost in her grief that Alexander is having trouble trying to fix it all while he suffers in silence as well. With everything that’s going on after there Las Vegas trip Krystina gets a call telling her to come pick up Eva the young girl she promised to take care of and Alexander doesn’t want anything to do with the child and this puts more strain on there relationship. How does it all turn out could this child make or break them in the end. To get these answers and so much more read this finally book in the series.

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

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

This is the final installment in Krystina and Alexander story and wow a lot happens and I loved every word. I am in love with this series, and I wish it would last forever. Krystina and Alexander are so on fire and fierce. Wow! Simply put this book is incredible. A great ending to a series I've fallen in love with period these characters are so full of fire and life. If you think you know where the story is going to go you have no idea. I think the part of this suit that I love the most was the development of the characters throughout, Krystina started out as someone who was afraid of life and living it due to events in her past but now, I see so much strength and bravery in her how she is living her life and not allowing life to beat her down anymore. Then there is Alexander he started as a good man who did not feel he deserved love and he had secrets but there were also those hiding secrets from him, he opened his heart to not only Krystina those around him, he truly showed that not only was he able to love but he was worthy of that love whereas before he felt neither. I highly recommend this book, series, and amazing author. So sad to see it ending.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 in series. Krystina and Alexander have suffered many miscarriages and ultimately lost their baby girl Liliana, after 28 weeks. For a lot of this book Krystina is very lost because of her grief. They are told they likely can not have kids in the future. Alexander has always taken care of Krystina but now he doesn't know how to fix her despite having all the money they need. One thing we know, Alexander needs to be in control. After a trip to Las Vegas Krystina feels like Alexander and her friend Allyson don't even trust her. Krystina then receives a call that she needs to come and get a girl Eva, that she promised to take care of. Alexander doesn't want anything to do with Eva. This pushes Krystina and Alexander further apart than ever. When Alexander and Krystina get on the same page someone from their past tries to take it all away from them. So much of this book is sad and emotional. Different tone from other books in the series. Still glad everything works out in the end.

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Heartache Entwined with Passionate Love 🤓

Breaking Stone, the final installment of the Stone Saga, was an emotionally charged read that left me hurting and so happy. The first half was particularly heart-wrenching, with Krystina and Alexander's sorrow palpable. I felt my heart ache alongside theirs, especially Krystina's.
However, as the story progressed, a glimmer of hope emerged, bringing a smile to my face. I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that it was a welcome respite from the earlier heartbreak.
The chemistry between Krystina and Alexander remains scorching hot, a testament to their enduring passion. 🔥

_Possible Spoilers_ and Trigger Warning. 💔
*******************************************
I must admit that the storyline involving the loss of a baby after birth hit me hard. I was deeply saddened by the characters' grief and initially disappointed by the direction the author took it. However, I persisted and grateful to have seen the story through to its conclusion. 🤓

[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! This last book in the series really hit in the emotions. Alexander and Krystina have dealt with a lot not only since they met, but also in their pasts. Alex had a very difficult childhood and has done everything in his power to stay as far away from anything that even reminds him of his past. Add this to the loss of their baby, both Alex and Krystina are in dark places. Both are dealing with the grief in their own ways and it could be causing more harm than good. Alex has no control over everything and it is causing trouble in paradise.

Bring in a wild Vegas trip, an unexpected phone call and a little blackmail to hopefully get things back on track. Drama, betrayal, blackmail, passion, sadness, grief, and a rollercoaster of emotions add to this journey and makes for a great ending to this series. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Conclusion!

Breaking Stone is book 5 in The Stone Saga series. I would definitely recommend starting the series from the beginning since the story line continues from book to book.

This is a well written series with complicated characters and relationships that go through many trials. After getting to know the characters in the previous books I was a little baffled by the reactions of the MMC and the relationship between him and the MFC felt like it was back to the beginning. What happened to his growth? I am uncertain if I liked the regression in his persona regardless of his circumstances. I appreciated some of the loose ends tied up and they did finally seem to get their HEA.

I enjoyed the series overall. Check the author’s trigger warnings since there could be some sensitive material here for some readers. There is a novella called Yuletide Temptations which involves a couple of the sub characters from this series and I will definitely read their story next!

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series but this book was most definitely the most emotional. Alexander and Krystina have endured a very heartbreaking loss and both are trying to overcome their loss the best way they know how but in the process they are both hurting each other and their marriage. Only when an orphaned girl, Eva, comes into their lives does Krystina see a light at the end of the tunnel although Alexander takes longer to see the possibility of them becoming a family. I was so consumed with their story that I could not put this book down. The heartache and drama was all consuming but it was Alexander and Krystina’s love that helped them get through their loss and move forward as a couple again. I hope to read more of them in the future. These characters have left their mark on my heart.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Patricia Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Stone (The Stone Series: A Billionaire Romance Book 5)

This story was absolutely fantastic to read. It had everything that you would want in a story .Alexander and Krystina had been through so much, pregnancies and the lost of their babies. They both had to live with sorrow, but ended up getting their lives back together. Then, finally when live stood still, Eva entered their lives and stirred all the feeling Krystina had and decided to adopt Eva. Alexander doesn't really like the idea at first. Then he gets to know the little girl and falls in love with her, he wants to give he a home after her mamma dies. In the end everything seems to fall in place until a unknown person enters their lives! I enjoyed reading this story and the author has out done herself in writing this story! So enjoy it!!

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, it definitely feels like a 'Fifty Shades of Grey' LITE version esp in the first two books. I don't mind that its mirroring of fsog or the crossfire series but I think it misses to capture the intensity of those books. The characters are very caricaturish in the first two books but they get better in the third esp after they say their Iloveyous. What I liked about this book was there was no real OW drama and that it was Dual POV which you dont get in fsog or crossfire. Other than these aspects I find it an ok read. I wish the epilogue in book 5 was better. Wanted to see more of their domestic life with Eva etc. Would not re-read but would recommend to anyone who likes the fsog series

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krystina is not coping well after her pregnancy loss. Not only did she lose her baby, but she probably can't have any more children. Then she is asked to look after a young girl whose mother had a connection with Krystina. Alexander wants nothing to do with Eva as she comes from the same crime ridden district as he did. Is this going to be the final straw that breaks their relationship?

This is the conclusion to the series and I suggest that you read the series in order.

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

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great conclusion to The Stone Series by Dakota Willink. This was hard to put down once I started it. Often we want more to the story when we're enjoying a book/series and Dakota has gifted that to us. Such a great storyline with wonderful characters. We go through so more pain and anguish before getting to a beautiful HEA for Alexander and Krystina. I look forward to reading more books written by this author!.

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

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 5 and the final in The Stone Series: A Billionaire Romance series that features main characters Alexander and Krystina Stone. This is the conclusion to their story and one that will be heartbreaking and warming all in one roller coaster of an emotional ride book. Well written - you will fall in love with this couple and their hurts will be your hurts. While I loved this book, I hated to see the end of their story - but a wonderful HEA ending was perfect.

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

[Cris Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! This story is full of emotions! I couldn’t put it down! The journey of the main characters is hard, full of pain and sadness. I cry and suffer with them every page of this book. During the story they lose theirselves one because of grief and pain and the other due to be strong for the other. Love is a strong emotion for this reason they find each other again. This is a beautiful ending for this amazing story! Dakota is an excellent author and this is the reason I love her books!

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely fantastic to read. It had everything that you would want in a story. They both had to live with sorrow, but ended up getting their lives back together. This book touched in wealth and poverty; domestic violence; miscarriage and adoption. In the end everything seems to fall in place until a unknown person enters their lives! I enjoyed reading this story and the author has out done herself in writing this story! Recommend this to all believe in LOVE CONQUERS ALL. I received this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good overall but I feel like the last book would’ve sufficed as an ending to Alex & Krystina’s story, hence the 4 stars. They seemed to be in a never ending run of bad luck and it got to a point in this book that I was close to giving up with reading it but I persevered as I don’t like to not finish a book/series I’ve already started. While a lot happened in this book, the good eventually outweighed the bad and it ended positively. It was a good series overall and I’m glad I read it after being on my tbr list for a long time

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander and Krystina have been through so much in this series but in this book they are grieving the loss of their baby girl. Everything climaxes into a captivating, and emotional ending. From the beginning of book one to the page turning final book this series has been one of my favorites by this Dakota Willink and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stone Series was very well written and I enjoyed reading them. I love the intensity Alex has for Krystina. You can feel the love and pain coming from the pages in each series. I hated their story had to end and totally wished for them to birth their own blood but there are a lot of Women who cannot and Adoption is an alternative and gives Children second chances at a better life.
Bravo Ms Willink!!!

[Elizabeth Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Books

The storyline for these books were so good I could not put these books down. Thank you so much for letting me enjoy the books. I felt so deeply disappointed that Krystina was never allowed or able to get pregnant and stay pregnant. But it gave them a chance to step in and adopt little Eva. God works in many ways . I need to read more of this authors books. Thank you. Elizabeth Childers.

[LeMiliere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having followed each step in Alexander and Krystin's story I have to say that this book gives us a very satisfactory conclusion to their story and the series.

It is well-written, smooth flowing and has a wonderful well-balanced mix of intrigue, mystery and sexiness. All the books had me hooked, they were never boring and kept me wanting to read more. Once you read Heart of Stone you will want to continue the series.

[hooked_on._.books Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so happy for krys and Alex and that they got their happy ending, and ended up with Eva they deserved a child they are such great parents to her and when Alex finally gave Eva a chance the moments between the two of them was so cute 🥰 it was Absolutely heart braking the amount of times they lost their children I honestly thought krys would go crazy and maybe kill her self 😭😭 but like always they pushed through ❤️❤️❤️