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Breaking and Taking #1

Breaking Braydon

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Playboy billionaire Braydon Decker changes women more often than designer ties. Scarred and humiliated as a teenager, he pledged long ago to never trust a beautiful woman again. But then he never imagined meeting one quite like Jain Parker.

Jain, a dedicated medical research scientist, learned early in college that her good looks were a hindrance and she’d have to tone down her beauty to be taken seriously, thus, Plain Jain was born, and men were no longer an issue. Of course, she didn’t count on running into Braydon Decker.

A successful venture capitalist, Braydon holds the key to whether Jain’s research company sinks or swims. When the two are forced to work together on a fundraising campaign, they’re instantly drawn to one another, despite their individual vows to remain unattached. As they navigate unchartered waters, their inability to trust wages war with their desire to love.

Hearts are broken and trust is shattered when betrayal and lies are revealed. Will the truth bring them healing and forgiveness, or will it be too late?

Breaking Braydon offers readers an emotional, compelling story filled with heartwarming humor, romance, heartbreak and love.

327 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2015

351 people are currently reading
1141 people want to read

About the author

M.K. Harkins

11 books553 followers
MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she'd like to read.

This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance - eFestival of Words- August 2014)

Unintentional, her second book, is based on the life of one of the characters in Intentional. Unintentional was written as a stand-alone book.

Breaking Braydon, Taking Tiffany, The Reader, The Jack, and Famous by Default have all been released on Amazon.

Ashes, the first book in a new series of modern-day fairy tale retellings, releases in May 2022. (Five more books in the series to follow)

When she's not writing novels, she likes to spend her free time traveling the world, splashing in mud puddles (She lives in Seattle, what can she say?), watching movies and reading (!)

She LOVES to hear from her readers!

mkharkins@hotmail.com
https://www.goodreads.com
https://twitter.com/mk_harkins
https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.well...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
Profile Image for Carissa.
269 reviews62 followers
January 11, 2015

4 'Okay' Stars



Plain Jane scientist, Jain Parker, has learned the hard way that looks are all that matters. People will never take you seriously if you're too pretty. At a young age, Jain has learned how to disguise herself into a dull, overlooked young woman, in order to be taken seriously and succeed in life.

Now a successful scientist, Jain is working and researching a cure for ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." It's a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This cause is near and dear to Jain's heart. Her passion and love for her job and the cure for this disease is what drives her. When she is told that her Medical facility will have to close down due to a lack of funding, Jain and her team couples with a venture capitalist firm in order to raise funds to support Bastion Medical and continue there research.

Braydon Decker has changed from the once laughed at fifteen year old, to the now grown, most eligible heartthrob bachelor of his social circle. Mr. Hot Shot, womanizing venture capitalist. Every woman wants him, every woman wants to break him and every woman wants to be seen by him.

Accustomed to being withdrawn and focused, Jain didn't prepare herself for meeting non other that Braydon Decker. Their meeting was nerve wrecking and stopped them both in their tracks.

Working together, Braydon and Jain have an undeniable attraction to each other and they can't seem to stay away. Braydon doesn't know why he's attracted to this plain Jane type of woman. She's nothing like his usual conquests, and that's why he wants her. She is a breath of fresh air. Someone that he would not usually choose.

Both Jain and Braydon have trust issues, stemming from their adolescent days. Spending a lovely wintery weekend together, Braydon and Jain soon learn that their trust will be broken, their lives will topple and they will both fight for the love they once gave freely while trying to fight the odds.

This was a lovely and sweet romance. Funny and witty, with wonderful secondary characters as both their best friends. Colin and Todd, you guys rock!! I can't wait to read Todd's story.


*ARC provided by Love Between the Sheets on behalf of the author for an honest review* Thanks!!

Profile Image for Jamie *Gypsy Smut-a-teer*.
484 reviews265 followers
January 20, 2015
3.75 Seattle Stars!! (Because Seahawks are going to the super baby!!)

I feel like I made need a dose of an antidepressant after reading this book, lol. That's the way to start a review, right?!?! Well, at least I have your interest peaked, let me see if I can explain what I mean better....

Breaking Braydon starts out with basically a boy and a girl, hmmm, maybe man and a woman, fits best, both desperate to NOT find love. Braydon has scars from his past. Scars that have ruined him for women completely. Beautiful women is more apt. He loves them and leaves them literally, well except he doesn't do the leaving, he kicks them out right after the dead is done. 6 hours is the max he has ever spent with any woman and the longest he will ever be able to tolerate one. He's actually so well known for loving and leaving women that there is a sort of running bet on who will "break him". The woman who can make him fall in love with him wins the pot of $100,000 and the title of the one who Broke Braydon. But that will never happen because he targets his women, charms them and then kicks them out....Until Jain.

Jain has her own ugly past. Between losing her mother and a horrible situation with a guy, she does everything she can to avoid men. To the point of, people always told her she was beautiful growing up, so beautiful that she thinks no one will take her seriously about her work. So she makes herself plain. Even going as far as wearing different colored contacts so her eyes, that she's got so many compliments on in her younger days, don't show. Her only goal in life is to find a cure for ALS. But when her crew run out of funds they have to find someone to help them. Someone like, billionaire Braydon.

Okay, so the whole set up of "Breaking Braydon" was beyond intriguing. I seriously thought I knew right then how the book was going to go down. But it actually wasn't quite what I thought. It seemed to be focused a lot on beauty. How Jain hid hers, and how Braydon only sought beauty out. And I'll admit, Jain sort of got on my nerves. She really didn't seem like a fun person to be around. I guess, she was always sort of down. Down about her looks, down about someone wanting her, down about her past. Colin, her best friend, did seem fun to hang with, and I often wondered if she brought him down. He never seemed to show it, but he just had a better attitude to me. When he was in the scene it always seemed to be happier and more upbeat. I totally understand, she had a mission and had really been dealt a bad hand with losing her mom, but I think she needed some antidepressants or therapy herself.

Braydon was mostly the same way. He was always plotting on revenge, but also his insecurities seemed to hang with him, until he met Jain. Then he was so focused on her that it seemed he was more upbeat. The happiest the two ever were, were when they were together. And, that's awesome, means for a lasting relationship I would think, but I think previous to them meeting they were just going through the motions of life, but not actually living it. It was good to see them bring that out in each other. Together they were very sweet, and seemed to just be all around happier people. Almost like, the darkness of the past lifted when they were together.

I will warn you, this is basically a love at first sight book. Probably for Braydon more than Jain, because she seemed more in denial and too insecure. I think, maybe that was my biggest hangup with the book, if I'm being honest. They were both so insecure and broken that it was harder for me to stay connected to them. Not saying I'm the most secure person in the world, I just tend to like to read about chicks that are. I, in no way am saying that I didn't like the book, just pointing out things I observed while reading it. I really loved Colin, and think he deserves a huge medal for all he put up with out of Jain and Braydon from Thanksgiving to Valentines Day. Tiffany was a really cute character too. She seemed like a great friend to have and an even better sidekick to wreck havoc with, lol, especially if revenge is in that havoc.

And can I just say, I love books that take place in Seattle. I got to live there for a year, almost 2 years ago now, and I totally fell in love with it and am constantly trying to relocate my family there on a permanent basis. So, when things are mentioned like the Space Needle and the Seahawks I get all giddy. I know this has nothing really to do with the book, I just had to put that in there too, lol.

Arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for amanda s..
3,119 reviews95 followers
February 3, 2015
****An Advanced Reading Copy of Breaking Braydon by M. K. Harkins was generously provided to me and I'd love to leave an honest review.

3.5 stars, this book is just THIS close to received 4 stars and stay in my favorite shelf.

Braydon's your typical billionaire playboy. He's handsome and fun to be with but you'll never own him because he refuse to stay with women more than six hours. Until a hottie scientist, Jain. Jain is a beautiful and very smart young woman, but because of past experience, she vowed to be "plain" so she'll never attract men again. But when she met Braydon, her wall starts to crumble and she feels like she's ready to start again. But what will happen when one crazy event drove them apart? Will Jain forgive Braydon and vice versa?

The main plot intrigued me. I'm not gonna lie, it's predictable and a bit cliche but hey, who doesn't like cliche? It's comforting and for some bookworms who don't really like plot-twists like me, this book is like a warm blanket.

Breaking Braydon is the first M. K. Harkins' book I have read and I enjoyed her style of writing. Even though there are parts that I wish could be written a bit more thorough, like the scene where Braydon finds out the truth about Jain's beauty, he didn't even apologize for "snapping" at her and throw her out in the snow. I was like, where's your apology, young man? And that moment when Braydon realize that , the revealing-the-truth scene went waaay too fast and I don't really feel it. It was like, boom! He finds out the truth after he hurt Jain and it's not even take one day or two. Just like that.

I always love this kind of scenes you know, when the Hero hurt heroine's feeling because of misunderstanding. The gut pain when the Hero yelled at heroine and make her cry, I kind of addicted to it. But in this book, the author just write it quickly and the climax moment that I anticipated didn't really punch me. I kind of disappointed. Hopefully next time the author will slowly rolled the scenes and I can enjoy it with a pack of tissues sitting next to me.

Angela is a freaking bitch! I want to see her suffer, not just I want to see her crying uncontrollably after everything she did to Braydon! Seriously. (haha, my crazy hating self is overtaking me)

I love Collin, I also adore Todd, plus I wish I could read more from Erik and Henry, Braydon's driver (because he seems to know more than anybody else).

Overall I enjoyed this book and I look forward to read the next installment of the series. Thanks for the ARC, Miss Harkins and please, make Tiffany's story more dramatic because I LOOOOOOVE IT! ;)
Profile Image for Dreamer.
130 reviews109 followers
November 5, 2016
Billionaire Braydon Decker was hurt and humiliated when he was a teenager and swore to never trust a beautiful woman again. He dates a lot, but his dates never last more than six hours, and he does not date the same woman twice! Everybody thinks he is just a playboy, nobody knows he is hurting inside.

Things change when he meets Jain Parker, a beautiful, intelligent woman who tones down her beauty and tries to look as plain as possible because she discovered that her good looks made people not to take her studies seriously.

Braydon Decker organises fundraisers. Jain Parker is researching for a cure for ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, and the medical facility where she works is going to close down due to lack of funds. When they meet sparks fly, but will they be able to trust each other enough to fall in love and live happily ever after despite everything against them?

I'm not going to tell you. You'll have to read the book. The story is told from Braydon's and Jain's POV, a chapter each. Even though I prefer stories told in the third person, this is a well-written story. It made me smile and it made me cry.

A sweet story.

(I received this ebook for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
Profile Image for Anesha †Curious & Obsessive Bookworm†.
427 reviews162 followers
January 25, 2015
4.5 "brownie" stars!


What a refreshing read!

Bad boy billionaire, Braydon is blunt - tells it like it is and he goes for what he wants without hesitation. I seriously love how sensitive he is! Honestly speaking, from all the other books I've read where the MCs were assholes, jerks and just closed off from "talking" or venting to even their close friends - having the opposite in this book made me devour this read! I was eager to know more about Braydon, and the fact that he spoke sent my impatience on a long vacation.

Then I absolutely fell in love with him when he was attracted to "plain" Jain! Everything was effortless and I adored the whole thing.

As for Jain - wanting to disappear and not be known/seen as a beauty was interesting. But the way she easily opened up to Braydon and him to her, was a joy to read. Their times together felt second nature, nothing was forced and they'd easily slipped into their own little world.

And I love me the whole no bullshit thing.

Imagine my surprise after their first kiss and they just threw caution to the wind? And might I add that I re-read that kissing scene ALOT of times?!?! lol. It was perfect!

I don't like how quickly they progressed though... the whole going back and forth yet blindly moving forward. THAT part felt cliche and unreal to some extent. And then when he found out her secret, she pissed me off for getting mad at him, like keeping something from anyone wouldn't make them agree.

But then he pissed me off for breaking his promised and she held her own, warned him and kept with it... I was so proud of her!


I also noticed that this book has no cussing, and no descriptive sex - which I usually enjoy...immensely....BUT... Know what I found out today. Books can still not suck without them! :D

This read is really amazing. One that I have no doubt that will be enjoyed. I was dragged into their world and believed. You find yourself wanting them to work out, but the anticipation of each bump in the road making you go crazy (I did!). What Jain had to go through, and even Braydon at a young age really scarred them and finding each other and moving on together was really nice to go with. Even though I said I didn't like how quickly they progressed - I love the push and pull they fought with internally. But their attraction was just too much to ignore. :D

Mi gusta!

Braydon is so much more than the typical bad boy player. I can't stop about how much I love his openness. He didn't run from Jain, and inviting her to meet his parents - the ease of their socialising among his loved ones? And the acceptance of everyone? I freaking loved it.

The simplicity felt more than... Everything was just... appreciated you know? And the last 40 or 30 percent into the book really had my attention. Both of their withdrawals intense and I love Braydon all over again - his love is so strong!

I also had to crack a smile (even though I wanted to slap Jain) for admitting that she wished he'd fought longer. She was real and honest - even when it made her sound like a fool. Women can be so complex lol xD



I fucking love him! :D

ARC generously given to me by the amazing author in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Renee.
1,329 reviews31 followers
July 25, 2015
I enjoyed the book mostly because it was an easy read. There was not a lot of angst. For me, Jain was a little different as was her issue. The fact that Jain felt she had to mask her beauty to become a somebody in her profession was new and fresh. The idea that a pretty girl with these fantastic eyes couldnt be taken seriously, though different I am sure doesnt happen often. As for the rest of her story, well I appreciated the fact that the girl was motivated by her Mother's disease to work hard to find a cure.

The story of how Braydon got to be the character we read about was different too. Sometimes superficial things motivate girls to get their hooks in a guy. So many times Braydon has wondered if someone likes him because of his place in society or his money, but definitely not him. That is so sad to me. Braydon finds a way to combat that. Braydon was cool but to me Jain was the star.
Profile Image for Amber.
1,275 reviews33 followers
March 23, 2015
Breaking Braydon is a beautifully spellbinding and breathlessly exquisite story of the relentless and captivating effect that love has over everyone. The harder you fight against it, the stronger and more powerful it will pull you in and invade your heart until you are helpless and have no choice but to allow it to fill you and make you whole. This is an incredible journey of a love so rare and wonderful that two people who thought they were immune to its effects discover that even the hardest heart can be brought to its knees by its wonder and sheer greatness.

Jain has spent most of her life trying to hide who she is. She’s convinced that in order to fulfill her dreams, she needs to become someone else. Denying her true self hasn’t been hard since her past gives her all the motivation she needs to continue fooling those around her. However, the one thing she can’t change is her heart, and through her beautifully loving and giving heart, she is led right to the one man who will turn her entire world upside down. Braydon has sworn to never love a woman. They aren’t real, and they don’t care about him. At least that’s what he tells himself because of the scars he bears from his past. Then, one day his world comes undone, and his entire resolve is blown to bits when he encounters the one women who is truer and more real than even his own heart. He finds that is helpless to fight against this overwhelming pull towards her, and he soon finds that he doesn’t want to fight anymore. No matter how much we try to run from the past, it always finds its way back to us. Will their past prove to be too much and force them apart for good, or will they finally give into the soul-searing desire to grab hold of their soul-mate and never let go?

I found Jain and Braydon to be incredibly wonderful characters who tugged at my heart and made me feel more then I expected. They both had excruciating experiences with love in the past that caused them to make rather extreme changes to their life in order to protect themselves from feeling that type of pain again. Luckily for them, love has some rather interesting ideas for these two, and it has no intention of asking for permission or forgiveness as it puts its plan into motion. Taken completely by surprise these two unsuspecting people find their hearts coming to life and tying them to each other before they even realize what’s happening. The love they both deeply crave has finally been found, and the heart will fight ruthlessly and eternally in order to find and keep what it desperately longs for.

I was left in complete awe after finishing this unbelievably heart-felt book. M. K. Harkins has stolen my heart, and I honestly don’t want it back. This story left me wanting so much more and yet feeling completely content and satisfied. Watching these amazing characters love and support each other was beyond description at times at how it made my heart swell with pride and admiration. What a magnificent journey I was given the privilege to watch and take part in, and I will forever remember the story that made me cry tears of joy and rapture.
Profile Image for Kendra Lola Kay.
149 reviews20 followers
February 1, 2015
Love is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings for this book.

***Received beta copy from author for honest review***

It’s been a while since I have been so excited about a book. MK Harkins has managed to win me over once again with her story of Braydon and Jain. Breaking Braydon is different from her first two novels but most certainly does not disappoint. This book might be my favorite of her works.

Why?

First and foremost, I love a good clean romance novel with plenty of humor, insecurities, stubbornness and broken characters.

Both Braydon and Jain have been wronged in their life and it molded them to the highly successful individuals they are. Yet, when life forces them to work together for the greater good, things get interesting to say the least. Throw in two supportive best friends, pernicious high school crushes, affectionate co-workers, and angry pets, you get an interesting story. I personally did not want to put it down.

It’s funny when you think two characters are so different but yet so much alike. That is what Braydon and Jain are. Instead of letting their pasts take over their life in a negative way, they change for the better. Braydon and Jain were characters that I rooted for from the beginning.

I'm not going to lie and say that Breaking Braydon didn't bring me to tears more than a few times. I wouldn't say their story is not your typical “Broken” character story. Yes, they are broken but there is so much more to it. I absolutely LOVED IT! One of my top favorites of 2015.
135 reviews4 followers
February 11, 2015
Sexy, even without sex scenes, and still oh so fabulous!!!
By BLS - February 10, 2015
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was fabulous! There are just no other words.

This was an impulse buy during a blog tour. The picture captured my attention and the blurb my interest and boy am I glad I 1-clicked it.

Here are some of the things I liked about the book:

1) The first meeting between Braydon and Jain - Oh! That was so cute and funny. I loved that he could be sensitive even though he was a billionaire
2) Jain - she was so sassy, funny, carefree, clueless, principled, you name it
3) Collin. No words are needed. What a true friend. I hope he gets his story (hint hint Ms Harkins)
4) Todd and Brian (Braydon's father) - watching their interactions was priceless. What a treasure Braydon had with these two
5) The interaction between Braydon and Jain - even though it had a fairytale quality to it, it was still so believable and oh so so sweet

I think Braydon was my favorite character in this book. The fact that he had money didn't make him feel better than anyone else. Sure he had his faults, he's human after all, but that just made him all that more lovable. Despite his money, he was not prideful, which tells you all you need to know about a man.

So many lessons to be learned in this book - don't give up without a fight. Be honorable. Appreciate your friends. Be kind to people (hint hint Angela). Rumors aren't always true. Don't let your past define you. Best of all, you can ALWAYS cling on to hope.

Oh, it bears saying again, I LOVED this book!

Congrats, and thanks, Ms Harkins for a fabulous book. This was my first by you and boy I was NOT disappointed
Profile Image for Karen Harper.
383 reviews
January 13, 2015
I really enjoyed the Intentional series which was written by this author, so I was looking forward to reading Breaking Braydon. The synopsis piqued my interest so I settled down for another enjoyable read. What I wasn’t prepared for was how amazing this book was!
Characters are a big deal for me. I need to be able to connect with them and M.K.’s writing allowed me to do this. So much so, I wanted to talk to Braydon and Jain and tell them to get their act together. I loved these characters separately and I SO wanted them to become a couple.
But there are also so many other characters to love and a few you will hate, one in particular, but they each have a very important part to pay in Breaking Braydon. I hope that I will read more about them in future books. And yes, that is a hint to the author.
But characters aren’t enough to make a book a standout. You also need a good story, a story that is believable and relatable and this story definitely is.
I mentioned that I enjoyed the Intentional series but in this book, Breaking Braydon, I couldn’t help but notice how much this author’s writing has evolved. I loved the fact that she changed from writing in present tense to past tense, something I prefer.
If you love a book that keeps you awake at night because you to need to know what happens next, then you should put Breaking Braydon on your TBR list. In fact, I think you should move it to the top.
I gave Breaking Braydon 5 stars, exploding ones.
Written by Karen from A Thousand Lives Book Blog
Profile Image for Mylissa Demeyere.
Author 8 books334 followers
February 6, 2015
Have you ever read a book and felt utterly sad when it was finished? I started reading this book on a trip with friends, and ended up staying up until 2.30am to finish it. I felt like I just wanted to start it straight again. I was hooked, and not ready to part with it.
I loved Jain, and how she was so passionate about her work. I loved her drive and motivation, her great friendship with Colin, and her vulnerability. She really does not cave in, and sticks to what she says. I could not believe how headstrong she was in staying away after Braydon hurt her and wouldn’t believe her.
Braydon is a real piece of work, but willing to change for Jain. If I would tell you how fast he changes and how profusely your eyes would roll, bur Miss Harkins tells it in such a way, you are sucked in and experiencing it yourself. I felt the chest pain he described, I was in tears at one point, and was so happy for them at the Epilogue. Considering I read so many contemp romance (1-2/week) this is not easy for me to get so attached to a book and characters like I am to this book and characters. I will definitely go back and read this again (and I’m sure again and again).
I have read all of Miss Harkin’s books, and would by far say this is her best book. I cannot wait for her next book, as they keep getting better and better!
Profile Image for Night Reader.
639 reviews4 followers
October 11, 2015
4 Stars

When I started this book, I almost stopped reading because I thought I had read the book already. The first chapter is your cliche manwhore treating a recent conquest like garbage. I have a hard time falling for the guy who finds love and treats the woman like gold when he easily treats many women before her like trash.

In any case, I liked this book. Quick read. I like it when the male lead has to pay for his transgressions. Definitely no instant forgiveness (a pet peeve of mine) in this book.

Was not impressed with the PGness -- time shifts from a kiss to post-coital bliss and vague references to bedroom activities are the most you are going to get out of this one.
Profile Image for Amanda Wise.
103 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2015
4/29/15
Breaking Braydon. M.K. Harkins 4*
I received this book for an honest review.
I must admit, I was a little worried I wouldn't like this book-it started off resembling another famous book-but quickly branched off into its own original story.
We meet Braydon & Jain-two good people who are horribly traumatized by past experiences & neither believe in love. Soon, however, they both realize they they can not live without each other. They manage to overcome all obstacles (including one of those past experiences). With a little help from their friends and family they are able to get their much deserved happily ever after!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Arlene.
179 reviews
January 26, 2015
Breaking Braydon by M K Harkins is just a cute story to read on a lazy weekend, with a bowl of popcorn by your side...Jain is a medical research scientist, who hide her beauty to be taking more serious on her field of work, till she met rich playboy Braydon...From the moment their met, spark fly, but they both stubborn in their own ways...This book is about healing, letting go and finding love..I do recommend this amazing book, so lay back and enjoy, the up and down of Braydon and Jain love story and the sick, evil woman who come between them..Is a must read :-)
Profile Image for Charissa.
Author 19 books81 followers
February 19, 2016
Billionaire meets quirky scientist who hides her beauty in order to be taken seriously. This story was fast-paced and had great character arcs. There is passion and sex before marriage, but no graphic scenes (it’s all behind closed doors). There is lots of tugging of heart strings and past demons to overcome, which leads to confusion, trust issues and heartbreak. I didn’t know if I’d like this one, but I ended up liking it a lot.
Profile Image for Tracey Pedersen.
Author 57 books85 followers
September 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this book by MK Harkins. I've read a few books by this author now and have not been disappointed yet. The characters in this story start out with some serious issues! But it was a lovely romance that kicked along nicely. These books are well written and interesting. I'm off to search for some more books by this author.
Profile Image for Ashley.
882 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2015
4.5 STARS!!

For so long I haven't been to read any book that I picked up and it pissed me off. Somehow when I picked this one up, I couldn't seem to put it down. And I am so glad!!!! Jain and Braydon is just the cutest, okay?!
Profile Image for A.R. Von.
Author 32 books1,177 followers
May 7, 2015
A cute, emotional read.
3.5 stars rounded to a solid 4.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,551 reviews9 followers
November 17, 2018
MK Harkins is new to me?? I am trying to recall how i got this book? you see I am going through my ARC's and making sure I have reviewed them all ... being a reviewer, book reader and keeping up with all these reviews it takes time ... energy ... i am a reading machine but it does take time. hope authors know that??! anywho ... to what is important here .. the review ... love the cover. awesome! I love the name Braydon. new to me. unique names get me all the time. Pleased. great characters, quick fast read for me. series, i do feel I wanna totally read more ... love this author, glad to know her. must read, loved it. glad i finally am reviewing it ... my bad on being slow about that. it appears I won it ... a giveaway??! i see the note on Amazon ... it was a freebie??! i'll keep thinking?!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,097 reviews93 followers
February 11, 2015
* A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour *

Amazon Link--->> Breaking Braydon

~ 5 Stars ~

I have read all of MK Harkins books so far and I have to say this is probably my favorite so far. I have really enjoyed all of her books, but there was something about this book that just struck a chord with me. I have loved watching MK's writing improve over the course of the three books. I find that she really knows how to create lovable characters. I think the thing I loved the most about Breaking Braydon, in particular, was the subject matter this story was based around. I have NEVER read a book about scientists trying to research for a cure of a cancer before. I thought it was an interesting spin on a story already told about the VERY rich man who falls for the "plain" Jain. I enjoyed that she gave us an insider look of what a research facility does and how it operates. Like I said it is an unique storyline.

This isn't a really long book and it moved at a very smooth pace….not to quick but not to slow either. Everything moved along effortlessly . I thought the character development was spot on and I liked that we weren't overloaded with extra information and details that we just didn't need. She wrote this in Dual POV and I am a HUGE fan of that. A book can totally win me over when it has both sides of the story. I also liked that this book wasn't bogged down with a lot of over the top drama. Yes Braydon and Jain have some issues to overcome and some hills to climb over, but nothing dragged on for a long period of time and nothing seemed over exaggerated. Another thing that I LOVED is that this book is a standalone with a Happy Ending. I loved the epilogue to this book…it really wrapped things up nicely.

In this story we meet Jain (The Scientist) and Braydon (The Wealthy Venture Capitalist) Both of these characters were great!!! They each had some serious trust issues stemming from humiliating experiences from back in High School. Jain has always been a very pretty girl, but when something happens in HS and then she's not taken serious in College she has decided to tone down her looks and become a plain Jain. Over the course of the book we find out that there is more to her reasoning for the "plain" look and the disguise, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Jain has also thrown herself into her work in finding a cure for ALS. This is where she meets Braydon. Her research company has just run out of funding and need help….In comes Braydon and his funding. From here we get a story that will have you laughing, smiling, blushing and even shedding a tear or two. Braydon was a great hero. I really fell for him. Yes he had his issues with trust and in the long run those issues caused problems for him, but I truly believed his feelings for Jain. I want to say that this book was an insta-lust/love type story but it still felt believable. I liked the speed the author took with Jain and Braydon. I liked watching these two open up and learn to trust again. I do wish that Braydon would've opened up about his HS experience with Jain, so she could've understood him better. We the reader find out, but he never tells Jain.

Ms. Harkins also did a great job creating secondary characters who were just as important as the main characters. I loved Todd, Colin and Brian, even Tiffany wasn't so bad. Don't get me wrong she created an amazing Villian in this story too (Angela)….That chick had some serious issues and was just vicious. I enjoyed the role Todd and Colin played as friends to Jain and Braydon. Everyone would love to have friends like them.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for that sweet, fun and not a lot of drama story between two people who learn to trust and love again. I am looking forward to the next book she writes!!!

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Profile Image for Tiffany Readz.
2,022 reviews52 followers
October 23, 2015
With Breaking Braydon, MK Harkins gives readers a break from "her heaving bosoms and his throbbing member" and writes a tame fairytale romance with a huge side of angst. Both characters are carrying quite a bit of baggage from the past, so you can instantly see this will be an uphill battle for them.

"Braydon, how long have you been obsessed with Jain? Give it to me straight." ~ Tiffany
"Since the day I laid eyes on her." ~ Braydon

Playboy Braydon Decker is known to love 'em and leave 'em. Not looking for any type of serious relationship, he moves from one girl to the next. With the spotlight constantly shining on him, his public persona makes him out to be worse than he actually is. Braydon knows how he feels about women at them moment and owns it. That is until he meets Jain.

As the owner of a very successful funding solution business, Braydon meets the understated Jain while touring the facility she works at. Jain is a leading researcher and if Braydon's company can't come through for her facility, she won't be able to fulfil a promise she made long ago. That promise is what keeps Jain focused on work and nothing else. Not even sexy CEO's that are in the funding business.

Braydon senses that Jain is different, (not just the spelling of her name, which I found clever) and decides he wants to get to know her better. Going against everything he is, Braydon makes it his mission to see what is really going on with the beautiful scientist that keeps herself locked away. Knowing only what the tabloids say about him, Jain knows that Braydon is out of her league, however that doesn't stop her from going on just one date. She swears she won't make the same mistake that has held her back from dating for all these years again.

"I want to be a better man for you. You make me want to be good enough to deserve you." ~ Braydon

Aw just the words every girl wants to hear. So sweet! Braydon and Jain get along swimmingly, until they don't. Like I mentioned, these two are carrying around some pretty serious ghosts from the past that neither one seems to get over and if I had one complaint about the book, that is it. The characters are into their mid-twenties at least and they both had very immature views on relationships. When things got a little rocky they tended to revert into Junior High mode and it was hard to go along with at times. Almost as if they acted as adults in every aspect of their lives except when it came to romance with the opposite sex.

The book is well written from dual points of view. Along with Braydon and Jain, the supporting characters also have some backstory and I'm curious to see where Todd, Tiffany and even Colin end up from here.
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,621 reviews109 followers
February 4, 2015
3.5 Stars

I loved the premise of this story. Jain dresses and acts like a “plain Jane” so that she is taken seriously as a science researcher. Braydon is a rich investor who is looking to invest in Jain’s research company. Braydon feels an instant attraction to her. Jain is nothing like the flashy blonds he sleeps with and throws away hours after taken them to bed. Yes, Braydon is a playboy who wants the cute nerdy scientist, but what he does not know is that Jain is more than just cute. When Jain takes off her fake glasses and fake colored contacts to make her eyes look dull she is gorgeous.

I love that there was angst and Jain was not so quick to forgive. I hate a heroine that just accepts the hero’s “sorry”. I hate that. The hero is supposed to grovel and I love that the heroine accepted nothing less than the respect that she deserved. However, my biggest turn off of this book is that Braydon seemed so hung up for a woman, Angela, that burned him when he was a freshman in high school. Braydon is 28 years old and for the longest time in the beginning it felt like he was pining for Angela who rejected him almost 14 years ago. All the rejection that he was feeling made me feel like he would never get over it. Braydon even kept tabs on Angela so he could get even with her. It was time for him to move on. Braydon for years would sleep with women who looked like Angela and then dump them after he had sex with them. Jain looked nothing like Angela. At 33% or so when an opportunity came, the reader was able to see that Braydon was switching gears, but the entire issue he had with rejection was not allowing me to feel the connection between Jain and him. After I finished the book, I can see what the author was trying to do with Braydon and his “pining” over Angela, but it felt a little over the top.

Also, I think I would have preferred that the switch in POVs did not happen so quickly. I felt it left very little suspense in the story for me. Like I mentioned I loved the premise of this book. This is the kind of books I crave and can read a million of them over and over. I just wish that Braydon’s mention of Angela did not feel like constant pining.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Katie Mettner.
Author 109 books1,669 followers
February 2, 2015
When I started reading Breaking Braydon it became obvious fast that the alternate title for this story could be Jaded Jain. Braydon Decker was a big money man who liked to play with the ladies, but not get to close to any of them. He was an interesting character in that he had issues, for issues that were not apparent to the reader. Then we meet Jain Parker, a woman with issues that were obvious, she had an ax to grind against men. She went so far as to change her appearance just to play the role of "plain Jain" so men would leave her alone. It didn't seem to work though because she had two men fighting to be the one to take her out, her co-worker Erik who I found creepy like a snake and of course, Mr. Decker himself.

When Jain's funding for ALS research comes to a screeching halt she has to swallow her pride and take her best friend Collin's advice, do anything to get Braydon Decker to help them. As a highly acclaimed fundraiser headhunter Braydon knew his way around the socialite community and their pocketbooks. If he agreed to help their research company with a fundraiser they wouldn't need to worry about funding ever again.

Here's where it gets complicated. Braydon likes Jain and Jain likes Braydon, but they are both so jaded that it's a lesson in failure for both of them. Sure they loved each other, but could their bigger issues be sorted out in time to save whatever feelings they had for each other?

I read Breaking Braydon in two nights, so it's a super fast read that keeps your interest and makes you want to find out what happens. All told Breaking Braydon is a well written and intriguing contemporary romance that will draw out a lot of emotions in you and personally I think that's what every writer aims to do. Ms. Harkins took two very flawed and jaded characters and brought them together in such a way that even though everything wasn't Skittles and rainbows they were able to find their way to true love. I especially liked her use of secondary characters, in fact, I loved, loved, loved Jain's best friend Collin and would love to see Ms. Harkins write his love story with Charlie. If you want a well written, clean, contemporary romance than you'll love getting to know Braydon and Jain.
Profile Image for Megan.
99 reviews4 followers
March 15, 2015
I was lucky enough to be sent the digital version of this book straight from this amazing author.

Now I should start by saying that it took me longer than I thought to read this book. It seemed life was against me reading it and getting he review on here, but I have now beat a horrible cold and finished the book.

First let me give you the run down on this book before I tell you what I thought of it.

Jain is super pretty and really smart. She is trying to find a cure for ALS which took her mother from her at 19. She doesn't trust men after a rough relationship in high school, though her best friend is a bright and happy gay man she has not other real friends other than her scratch happy cat Nancy.

Braydon is a self made billionaire who loves what he does helping research facilities find funding in hard times for such things as ALS and Breast Cancer. He has a bad past where a beautiful girl hurt him.(he wasn't always that good looking and he was nerdy) Therefore he doesn't believe in actual relationships and has one night stands that all resemble the girl that hurt him. His best friend is also his business partner though he is also close to his father.

These to become entangled and plenty of misunderstandings happen leading them to separate after finding their feeling for one another. Ultimately they are meant to be.



Now I gave this book 4 stars mainly because of Jains character. She isn't strong in any real way. When a misunderstanding crates a broken heart she basically shuts down and says things like she doesn't know if she can handle like anymore and things along that line. I truly enjoyed this book I just wish she would have been stronger still hurting but not letting it completely consume her. But if you have time I would definitely read this it not very long just over 200 pages and though Jain is weak the two main characters truly captivate attention as well as he side characters which honestly I LOVED.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog.
3,920 reviews118 followers
February 24, 2015
4 Stars!

I liked this book. Much different than I am use too, this is a sweet love story about two people who are broken in their own way. This book is full of laughs, sweet moments, and just enough angst to keep you hanging on until the end.

This is Jain and Braydon's story. Jain is plain and she likes it that way. After enduring something traumatic as a teen, she realized her looks were only hindering her life so she made a change and voila... Plain Jain was born. Now relationship free, she lives for herself and her BFF Colin. She is a medical researcher who works for a cure to ALS, something near and dear to her. What she doesn't expect is the connection she feels with the one man who holds her future and her job in balance... Braydon. Braydon is successful and living on his own terms. Never having a woman longer than six hours, he doesn't do commitment because of a traumatic experience as a teen. What he doesn't expect the plain girl to grab his attention and a hold of his heart. As these two grow closer, a bond is formed. But when obstacles get in their path, will they be able to push through? And when someone wants to tear them apart, will they fight for their love or will old insecurities peek back in?

I liked Jain and Braydon together. They truly helped heal each other and brought love to one another. There were times I wanted to smack them above, especially towards the end, but I loved the way it worked out for Braydon and Jain. I really admired Jain for her determination and work on such a horrible disease. And Braydon, he was not the typical hero I am use too. He was pretty normal which was a nice change of pace. That card trick at the end... awesome. I was totally rooting for these two.

I recommend this book.

Blog Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
Profile Image for Racy.
1,711 reviews16 followers
February 22, 2015
I received an ARC copy of this book. I have spent all day reading it. I just could not put it down. I feel like I have been on one emotional roller coaster. This book does need a warning label. “Warning- Need a box of tissue. You will cry sad tears and some happy tears. “
Jain Parker was a scientist at Bastion Medical Research. She was trying to find a cure for ALS. She was very passionate about her work since her mom had died with ALS. Jain buried herself in her work and had sworn off men due to a bad boyfriend she had when she was 17 years old.
Braydon Decker was known as a “Bad Boy Billionaire”. There was even a contest among the rich women called “Breaking Braydon”. No woman could resist him and thought they would be the one that would be more than a 6 hour woman. Braydon had sworn off women do to something that had happen to him at 15 years hold.
Breaking Braydon is an amazing love story concerning Braydon and Jain. You will fall in love with this book. I love how much Jain’s best friend/co-worker Collin cared so much for Jain. I also love how much love Braydon’s dad Brain Decker loved his son and wanted him to find happiness.
So many books I have read were they put strong man with such a weak woman. The one thing I love about this story is not only was Braydon a strong man but Jain was also a strong woman. Both had a lot of differences but had a lot in common as well. Both were very head strong and workaholics. Could Braydon and Jain have a personal life outside of work? Could Braydon change and be with a woman more than 6 hours? He is such a playboy. Will Braydon and Jain find their way to each other? Want to know the answers? Read the book and find out. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Leigh Broxton.
86 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2015
Breaking Braydon review

Jain has been dulling herself down over the years, because she doesn't want people to think she's all beauty and no brains. She's worked hard to get into position at a small research center. Now her job is jeopardy because the funding is being pulled. Their only choice is to go to Braydon Decker's company and ask for help.
Braydon has always been a playboy. He's known for not sticking around more than 6 hours with a lady. He likes his tall, blonde, and blue eyed girls, but for some reason he's fascinated with this plain Jain from Bastion Medical Research. Braydon breaks all of his rules to get to know Jain, but things aren't what they seem.
What will become of of Bastion Meidcal Research? Will Jain break Braydon of his own rules, and will they last through the secrets?


I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This was a quick read that satisfied my book craving for the genre it's in.
The characters were well written as well as the story. The plot was laid out well. There was the build up to find out what happened to both the characters and Jain's job. The story took me through different emotions to empathize with both Jain and Braydon, but it wasn't too emotionally heavy. This book did everything that a good book should make you feel by the time you're done reading it. This is the type of book I like to read in between a long series that I'm reading because it's a quick and light read.
I've read all of M.K. Harkins' books so far and none have disappointed. I look forward to reading her future works.
Profile Image for Donna.
855 reviews44 followers
January 25, 2015
Breaking Braydon is romantic and heartbreaking. It’s a story of overcoming our past and learning to trust.
Jain hides her beauty to be taken seriously as a person and as a scientist. She is passionate and driven in her research for a cure for ALS known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease”. This cause and cure are very personal to her. When she finds out that her Medical facility has lost their funding and may have to shut down, they desperately start researching options.

Billionaire Braydon is a venture capitalist and doesn’t have time for another project. Until he meets Jain and her team and decides on the spot he can help her/them. I loved the scene where they first meet and he listens to what she is saying.
Sparks fly as they start working together. Each has issues from their past. She feels her beauty caused people to use her. Braydon’s issues cause him to only date beautiful women and usually for less than 6 hours. His reputation is so well known that there is rumor of the $100,000 contest for the woman who gets him to fall in love with her.

The secondary characters added more depth and entertainment to the story. Colin, her best friend and co-worker was an awesome friend. Todd is Braydon’s best friend and hopefully the hero in the next story.

You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
Profile Image for Lisa.
2,354 reviews13 followers
February 27, 2015
Braydon is your typical playboy billionaire but he recognises that his behaviour needs to change. No woman lasts long with him and he has lost count of the number of women he has had.

Jain is a beautiful woman on the inside as well as the outside but it is the outward beauty that has hindered her career as a scientist, with people believing brains and beauty combined are not possible. She hides behind her plain Jain disguise to protect herself from unwanted attention.

When Braydon first meets Jain, he is blown away by her and finds himself lost for words. It is Jain in her plain Jain disguise that he is drawn to and for the first time sees a future with one woman. Jain slowly breaks down Braydon's walls. Jain has her own walls built up as she has dedicated her life to science after the loss of her mother to a ALS. Braydon, though, gets under her skin and quickly brings down those walls and we start to see a more confident Jain.

True love though never runs smoothly, especially when a rich heiress wants what Jain has and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

Both these characters have been wanted for the superficial things: beauty and money. All they want is for someone to see them as a person. This was a great story of inner beauty shining through and a playboy wanting to settle down. It was romantic with sweet and sad moments; happiness and heartbreak; tears and laughter.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog on behalf of Book Worms***
Profile Image for Alicia.
341 reviews
March 1, 2015
Breaking Braydon is a quick, light read. It is a sweet romance, where the characters have to learn how to trust, not only each other, but their gut feelings. The two character, Braydon and Jain are so untrusting of the opposite sex, that they have built walls around their hearts. Both of them had horible experiences as adolescents and those experiences follow them into adulthood. They have to examine their beliefs and decide whether or not the other is worth the risk.

For the most part I really enjoyed this story. I thought that Braydon and Jain were a great match. The author created two very special, lifelike characters. Not only did I enjoy these two characters, but the supporting characters as well. Jain's best friend, Colin, is a hoot. I really, loved him. He is everything a best friend should be: supportive, fun, loyal, and not afraid to tell her how it is.

Braydon is the ultimate player. He is known to not stay with a girl for more than a few hours (hours!) before kicking her to the curb. Jain does not want to become another notch for him. He knows that he either needs to change for Jain or ignore his feelings. When ignoring doesn't work, he is determined to get her. Jain quickly realized that she can't fight her feelings and gives in. Once they are both on board, it is explosive!

Breaking Braydon is a great book for when you want something light to read to laze the afternoon away.
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