What We Break

The Breaking Duet

by Jenna Myles

I've been a travel nurse for a decade. I'm really, really good at leaving.



But at thirty-two, I'm tired of being a ghost in other people's lives. So I do something crazy. Crazy for me at least. I take a permanent job in Oregon. I buy throw pillows. Plural. I have a fiddle leaf fig I talk to like it's a patient.

Then I meet Reid Garrison.

He's chaotic sunshine in a paramedic uniform and before I know it I’m swept up in him. He's the golden retriever boyfriend I never knew I needed.

For the first time in my life, I'm not counting down the days until I leave.



There's just one problem. Six-foot-three of a problem.



Blake Moore is Reid's best friend and roommate. His military brother. The man who saved his life overseas.

He's also cold, closed-off, and convinced I'm the worst thing that ever happened to Reid.

Every dinner is a minefield. Every conversation is a test I'm failing. The man looks at me like I'm a problem he can't solve.

But here's what keeps me up at night.

Sometimes Blake doesn't look at me with hate. Sometimes he looks at me like being near me is physically painful.

I'm a nurse. I know what suffering looks like.

And the way my heart stutters when our eyes meet? The way I catch myself wondering what broke him?

That's not supposed to happen.

I fell for the sunshine. So why can't I stop thinking about the storm?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, M F M, Why Choose

Unknown Binding

First published April 16, 2026

About the author

So apparently, not everyone has entire worlds and a whole cast of made up characters living in their head.

I bought my first book on how to write romance fifteen years ago.

And did absolutely nothing with it.

Until one day, tired of all my wishing and doubting, I sat down and started writing. The plan was to prove to myself that I sucked.

Turns out, not only do I not suck, I tell really great stories.

And those people who live in my head? They’ve been desperate to get out.

I am an adoptive and foster mom. I have a soft spot in my heart for kids from tough places.

Reviews

[gangstareads]

MFM - I’m uncertain how to rate this.

I REALLY LIKED the first half, most of it really. I was smiling and thought it really portrayed that fluttery exciting part of meeting someone new and it working.

But the final 20% the characters are toxic and dysfunctional. I even started liking MMC1 less and he was golden retriever energy, green flags all the way for the first half. And MMC2 went from cold and grumpy with a soft centre to cruel and shitty.

I get that it was the plot for the characters to behave that way at the end and it was in line with their characters so I can’t figure out why it didn’t work for me. I’m sure the characters will grow and become less dysfunctional in the next book but I’m not drawn to reading about it. Some books have characters doing awful things or end stressfully and I have to pick up the next book to find out what happens. That didn’t happen for me here.

[turn_the_page_lady. (sue mc) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are parts of this story that I liked and you connected with the FMC and her unusual background and her relationship starts well but this story is way too slow - too much detail about unnecessary things. It all gets a bit gloomy towards the end and you are left with a cliff hanger.
I will read on but the story just needed more pace and suspect it only needed to be one book.

[lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

This is a why choose romance with the 3 majn characters beinf Reid, Laine, and Blake. Blake and Reid are former Marines and best friends who have been through some heartbreakkng and traumatic things in their lives. Reid is now a paramedic, Blake restores furniture and houses, while Laine is an ER nurse.
This story surprised me in such a good way. I loved Reid and Laine together. I loved his humor and laughed out loud throughout his scenes, which is right on brand with the authors style. Blake's character was very frustrating and I kept waiting and hoping we would get a chapter or 2 from his POV and was so happy when we did because, knowing this is a why choose, I needed to know what was going through his head and why he was treating Laine so poorly. Do I agree with the things he said or did, no, but with the ending im really hoping for a redemption arc for him. I think it will be really amazing to see how he and Laine can come back from everything that's happened between them and build something new in the next book.
There were a couple small continuity errors (the name of a friend's spouse, Blake's last name).
This is a spicy book with a few open door scenes although the story doesn't rely on them. The ending is also a bit of a cliffhanger so make sure you have book 2, What We Brave, ready to go so you can read them back to back because you will want to know how their story plays out and how they find their way forward.

[Patricia Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of Jenna Myles books except for book two to this one.
The writing style is so different yet good. The Brash brothers was fast paced and had me laughing out loud. Touched on hard topics. Family.

This book touched on hard topic too. Falling in love with your best friends girlfriend and then leaving to a war zone is crazy.


There were some twists I saw coming but not the ending.

There were parts of me that expected Laine to walk away as Blake expected. And she never did… until she did. And then the truth from Blake comes out and its ends.

On to book two to see how this goes down!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My emotions were completely swept up in this story from start to finish. Each chapter intensified my connection to what was unfolding, pulling me deeper into the lives of the characters. The joyful moments felt genuinely uplifting, while the heavier scenes carried real emotional weight and at times were truly heartbreaking. It’s the kind of book that keeps you hooked, turning pages without pause because you’re so invested in every outcome. An unforgettable read—Jenna truly delivered something special here.

[Elizabeth Judge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jenna’s style of writing and this book was no exception. As it’s the first part of a duet it hits slightly differently to her other stories as it moves a bit slower. I think I was surprised at Laine falling for Reid, the golden retriever type doesn’t seem her style. Reid is so desperate for things to be ok between Laine and his best friend/brother that he glosses over the cracks, essentially pretending they don’t exist. That’s annoying from someone who is a grown man and who supposedly cares for her. Suffice it to say, it all blows up at the end of the book and it really is no surprise. Book 2 is where this duet really comes into its own so it’s still definitely worth the read. Just a couple of additional points about this book that I found distracting - her travel-nurse friend Bethany is referred to as Jess at one point. And there’s a repeated passage. Also take note that her yoga friend’s wife is called Kerry in this book. She’d definitely not called Kerry in the second book.

[Felicia Pijoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drove me absolutely crazy… and I loved every minute of it. 😂 I was INVESTED… not because they behaved. 🙃 Everyone was so busy trying to protect each other that they became their own biggest obstacle. I understood why they made the choices they did… but I still wanted to lock them in a room until they actually talked. 🤣 I spent half the story cheering them on and the other half yelling, “Y’all are your own problem!” The emotional payoff made every frustrating moment worth it.

[Sabelle C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review will likely change based on book 2
It’s a duology that ends on a bit of a cliffhanger
I honestly can’t predict where this story is going but I’m invested in Laine, Reid, & Blake’s future.
I feel like I can’t give a proper assessment without having all the facts and reading the 2nd half of the story.

[Kristy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, I felt like my heart was in my throat throughout the whole book. Like I couldn’t breathe during the last two chapters. I loved Reid! His energy off the charts. Blake had me in tears. Laine tries so hard to be everything to everyone, and to see her struggle was heartbreaking. The end though… I was in tears. I can’t wait wait to read the second book!

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Jenna Myles' books tremendously. Until now. I'm not opposed to the concept but it seemed a bit, I don't know, forced I guess. I didn't really believe any of the emotions the characters were feeling so it left me a bit flat.

Well-written as far as grammar and flow. Just didn't do it for me. Sorry.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with my whole heart. Very different from the rest of Jenna's books but still spectacular. Wonderful story, great character development, slow burn. Cannot wait for the 2nd book. I devoured this one and read it in less than 2 days.

[Nicole Hamlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woo this was heavy. But it also had moments of hilarity and sweetness.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good news is that this is a good book. Bad news is that I don't like triangles. At. All. Jury is out on whether I read book 2 or not. Sigh.

[Sue Hoppe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Depressing!

I had high expectations as Jenna Myles was an automatic buy. I was really surprised at the discouraging storyline without some kind of redemption or happiness.

[Erin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ - really enjoyed the first book of this duet. Lots of emotions and trauma with these characters. Looking forward to the conclusion.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it was a bit too slow for me.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compelling tale of love found, love hidden, and love lost. Great main characters.
Jenna, you never disappoint. Looking forward to seeing how their lives work out in book 2.

[Diana Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read

I had a hard time getting into this book. I loved Laine character you can feel her feelings. Blake and Reid was hard to get into.

[Shannon Alderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

unbelievably good!!

Absolutely fantastic, Jenna always writes good books but this one blew me away! Can’t wait to see what happens next!!

[Vikki Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Michelle Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! Can’t wait for book 2

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Because I knew where this was going, I was prepared for the end and what ultimately went down. I think it was a bit long and maybe repetitive in a couple of places, but I am not so patiently awaiting part 2.