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"Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys, they just won't want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to..." Slate Declan
First loves, we all got them. Mine is Slate Declan. He was kind, gentle, and caring. Still, he managed to break my heart. So I put miles between us, and eventually, my heart healed.
I haven’t seen Slate in years, but a couple friends and I are going back to the Bayou for the summer. While I’m visiting my hometown, I’m going to look up Slate Declan. And I plan to break his heart, just as he did mine. I'll remind him of what he has lost, and then I'll prove to him that I’ve moved on.
It should be real easy, right?
Well, let me tell you, Slate Declan is not the same guy that I left behind. And there’s another problem. How do you break someone’s heart when they no longer have one?
First loves, we all got them. Mine is Slate Declan. He was kind, gentle, and caring. Still, he managed to break my heart. So I put miles between us, and eventually, my heart healed.
I haven’t seen Slate in years, but a couple friends and I are going back to the Bayou for the summer. While I’m visiting my hometown, I’m going to look up Slate Declan. And I plan to break his heart, just as he did mine. I'll remind him of what he has lost, and then I'll prove to him that I’ve moved on.
It should be real easy, right?
Well, let me tell you, Slate Declan is not the same guy that I left behind. And there’s another problem. How do you break someone’s heart when they no longer have one?
200 pages, ebook
First published July 21, 2015
112 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Gendron
29 books984 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Gendron writes Steamy, Contemporary, HEA Romances. In her books, you’ll find a variety of alphas, love stories with fast-moving plots, and a slow burn that will keep you turning the pages. Besides being a writer, Kelly is also a nurse. So she’s a firm believer in clean hands and dirty books!
Visit her at her Website @~ www.kellygendron.com
Visit her at her Website @~ www.kellygendron.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
December 12, 2015
***4,5 "My little Monkey" stars from me***
Wow!!! That book was really good. Better than Jax and i got hooked from the first moment...
From the previous book, Slate had drown my attention upon him and i was wondering what the hell was happening with this guy.
I really wanted to learn all his secrets and to discover why he was so moody and from what he was running off.
And i got my answers and i'm really happy for that!!!
(Don't get me wrong!!! For the answers i'm happy, not for his broken past!)
And i can assure you that this broken man had become my favorite one of those wonderfull brothers that those three bad girls had decided to break them!!!
But the only question is will they manage to break them after all, or the brothers will break them instead??? Ugh???
“Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys, they just won’t want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to.”
As we saw in the previous book, three girlfriends visited Bayou and they have made purpose of this summer to break the Declan brothers...
The first one goes down...
Now, he is a happy man with his love of his life by his side... That breaking was unsuccesful after all!!! Bahaha!!!
Now it's Rayna's turn to break Slate!!! And she has a good reason to do that!!!
“You can have my heart, Slate Declan. It’s broken, anyway. You broke it.”
Slate Declan once broke her heart, now it's her turn to break him...
But the things are not as she was expecting...
Slate is already a broken man...
So she have to fix him first and then to break him again....
(Yeah, God luck with that, sweetie!!!)
"You might not remember, but I do. I remember who you are. You’re the guy who tried to see the good in everyone. You were kind and caring. You were a man worth loving. So stop using those scars as an excuse, fight this damn addiction, and get your shit together."
Slate was the most troubled man of the three of them!!!
He was broken, he was bound to his addiction and he didn't care for anything else!!!
Many years before he was caring for Rayna but he let her go and now, that she is back, he don't know what to do with her...
And when she is entering his life with force and they got locked in the den for three days together, everything are going to change...
Will they manage to stay away from each other???
Will they be able to overcome all the shits that are standing between them???
Rayna is carrying too much guilt inside of her and too much pain and Slate is caring too many scars inside and outside...
Who is gonna break who???
"I have to get away from her. My damaged walls are up, but those beat-to-shit barriers are weak, and she may very well succeed in bringing them down. She might just break me. Then what? She walks out of my life again. Fuck that. If she’s going to put me through this hell, then I’m getting something in return. I’ll tear her walls down, too."
I loved that story very much.
I loved the chemistry between Rayna and Slate.
I loved that Rayna was caring so much for Slate that she was determined to help him get through that ugly addiction of his... even though that she was trying to persuade herself that she was doing it for a certain purpose.
And i loved the way Slate was around Rayna and i liked how he was fighting for her at the end...
I'm also happy that we got some glimpses of their past together because in that way we could understand that they were bound so deeply with love...
And it was from that kind of love that never dies...
So will they manage to ignore their feelings and do whatever the hell have in minds to do????
Or will they give to themselves a second chance to be together???
“You’re a heartless asshole.”
“Yeah, I’m an asshole. Zeke informs me of that all the time, but heartless…” He shakes his head. “I can assure you I have a heart, Rayna.”
“How’s that?”
He grabs my hand and pulls me down from the stool.
“’Cause no matter how high I get, how fucked-up I am, or how far down I am on the ground…” He pulls me against him. “I always feel you,” he lifts my hand and sets it on his chest, “right here.”
And now, I'm wondering for Zeke.
What the hell he has in his bagganges and will Lurlene manage to break him???
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
Wow!!! That book was really good. Better than Jax and i got hooked from the first moment...
From the previous book, Slate had drown my attention upon him and i was wondering what the hell was happening with this guy.
I really wanted to learn all his secrets and to discover why he was so moody and from what he was running off.
And i got my answers and i'm really happy for that!!!
(Don't get me wrong!!! For the answers i'm happy, not for his broken past!)
And i can assure you that this broken man had become my favorite one of those wonderfull brothers that those three bad girls had decided to break them!!!
But the only question is will they manage to break them after all, or the brothers will break them instead??? Ugh???
“Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys, they just won’t want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to.”
As we saw in the previous book, three girlfriends visited Bayou and they have made purpose of this summer to break the Declan brothers...
The first one goes down...
Now, he is a happy man with his love of his life by his side... That breaking was unsuccesful after all!!! Bahaha!!!
Now it's Rayna's turn to break Slate!!! And she has a good reason to do that!!!
“You can have my heart, Slate Declan. It’s broken, anyway. You broke it.”
Slate Declan once broke her heart, now it's her turn to break him...
But the things are not as she was expecting...
Slate is already a broken man...
So she have to fix him first and then to break him again....
(Yeah, God luck with that, sweetie!!!)
"You might not remember, but I do. I remember who you are. You’re the guy who tried to see the good in everyone. You were kind and caring. You were a man worth loving. So stop using those scars as an excuse, fight this damn addiction, and get your shit together."
Slate was the most troubled man of the three of them!!!
He was broken, he was bound to his addiction and he didn't care for anything else!!!
Many years before he was caring for Rayna but he let her go and now, that she is back, he don't know what to do with her...
And when she is entering his life with force and they got locked in the den for three days together, everything are going to change...
Will they manage to stay away from each other???
Will they be able to overcome all the shits that are standing between them???
Rayna is carrying too much guilt inside of her and too much pain and Slate is caring too many scars inside and outside...
Who is gonna break who???
"I have to get away from her. My damaged walls are up, but those beat-to-shit barriers are weak, and she may very well succeed in bringing them down. She might just break me. Then what? She walks out of my life again. Fuck that. If she’s going to put me through this hell, then I’m getting something in return. I’ll tear her walls down, too."
I loved that story very much.
I loved the chemistry between Rayna and Slate.
I loved that Rayna was caring so much for Slate that she was determined to help him get through that ugly addiction of his... even though that she was trying to persuade herself that she was doing it for a certain purpose.
And i loved the way Slate was around Rayna and i liked how he was fighting for her at the end...
I'm also happy that we got some glimpses of their past together because in that way we could understand that they were bound so deeply with love...
And it was from that kind of love that never dies...
So will they manage to ignore their feelings and do whatever the hell have in minds to do????
Or will they give to themselves a second chance to be together???
“You’re a heartless asshole.”
“Yeah, I’m an asshole. Zeke informs me of that all the time, but heartless…” He shakes his head. “I can assure you I have a heart, Rayna.”
“How’s that?”
He grabs my hand and pulls me down from the stool.
“’Cause no matter how high I get, how fucked-up I am, or how far down I am on the ground…” He pulls me against him. “I always feel you,” he lifts my hand and sets it on his chest, “right here.”
And now, I'm wondering for Zeke.
What the hell he has in his bagganges and will Lurlene manage to break him???
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
August 9, 2015
5 You Are Still My Monkey Stars!
This is book two in Kelly Gendron's series Breaking The Declan Brothers. Slate and Rayna's story.
Six years ago Rayna left the Bayou after Slate broke her heart. Now she's back to break his. The problem is that Slate is already broken and Rayna takes it upon herself to fix him. She can worry about breaking him later.
Rayna and Slate become friends when they are kids. Once a week the teacher lets a student that has done a good job all week take care of a stuffed animal. When it's Rayna's turn to care for the monkey a bully tears the head off. Slate steps in and fixes the monkey for her. Their friendship grows from there.
Rayna is fearless and as Rayna gets herself in sticky situations Slate is always saving her. This is how they become Monkey and Superman to each other. I loved that we got to visit their past. I also loved that we got both Slate and Rayna's POV throughout the book.
After Rayna graduates from college she gets a job offer in another state that she doesn't plan on taking. She loves Slate and will not leave him.
Slate knows he will never leave the Bayou or his brothers so he breaks Rayna's heart to set her free.
In the six years Rayna was away there was a fire at the Declan's grandmas store. Slate gets badly burned and goes through extensive surgeries and rehab. The pain is so bad that he eventually closes himself off from it. He was touched so much during this time he can not stand for anyone to touch him. He hates his scars. He hides behind a hoodie in public. During all of this Slate gets hooked on pain pills which eventually lead to what ever drug he can get his hands on. He also starts to fight at the bar him and his brothers own. Slate has been high for three years. His brothers have tried everything and nothing is helping until Rayna decides to step in.
Rayna will help Slate get clean. Slate wakes up and thinks he's hallucinating when he sees Rayna. Then Slate gets pissed that she has locked him and her in the basement. He's scared what will happen once he starts going through withdrawals. He doesn't want to accidentally hurt her. They make a deal! After the three days are up and they go back to their own lives will Slate stay clean or go back to the drugs?
After a few days they run into each other at the bar. Slate is not happy seeing Rayna there talking with a guy.
I’ve decided that I’m gonna come after you, full force. And soon enough there’ll be no misunderstanding as to who you belong to.” ~Slate
Rayna is not with that program. She will not let him break her heart again.
you come at me full force but get ready to hit a wall. I’ll never be with you again! Never!” ~Rayna
Even though these two were apart for six years they both never forgot each other. They were after all best friends before they were lovers.
He grabs my hand and pulls me down from the stool. “’Cause no matter how high I get, how fucked-up I am, or how far down I am on the ground…” He pulls me against him. “I always feel you,” he lifts my hand and sets it on his chest, “right here.” “Slate,” I gasp. “I warned you,” he bends down, “full force, babe.” ~Slate
I loved this book! I was up all night reading it. It was smoking hot! It was sad! It made me laugh! All the feels!
I can't wait for the third and youngest brother Zeke's book!
ITS COMING SOON!
“Some guys call, some date, and some guys, they might even get married. But, sweetheart, I ain’t any of those guys...” ~ Zeke Declan
Awesome job Kelly Gendron! Can't wait for more!
This is book two in Kelly Gendron's series Breaking The Declan Brothers. Slate and Rayna's story.
Six years ago Rayna left the Bayou after Slate broke her heart. Now she's back to break his. The problem is that Slate is already broken and Rayna takes it upon herself to fix him. She can worry about breaking him later.
Rayna and Slate become friends when they are kids. Once a week the teacher lets a student that has done a good job all week take care of a stuffed animal. When it's Rayna's turn to care for the monkey a bully tears the head off. Slate steps in and fixes the monkey for her. Their friendship grows from there.
Rayna is fearless and as Rayna gets herself in sticky situations Slate is always saving her. This is how they become Monkey and Superman to each other. I loved that we got to visit their past. I also loved that we got both Slate and Rayna's POV throughout the book.
After Rayna graduates from college she gets a job offer in another state that she doesn't plan on taking. She loves Slate and will not leave him.
Slate knows he will never leave the Bayou or his brothers so he breaks Rayna's heart to set her free.
In the six years Rayna was away there was a fire at the Declan's grandmas store. Slate gets badly burned and goes through extensive surgeries and rehab. The pain is so bad that he eventually closes himself off from it. He was touched so much during this time he can not stand for anyone to touch him. He hates his scars. He hides behind a hoodie in public. During all of this Slate gets hooked on pain pills which eventually lead to what ever drug he can get his hands on. He also starts to fight at the bar him and his brothers own. Slate has been high for three years. His brothers have tried everything and nothing is helping until Rayna decides to step in.
Rayna will help Slate get clean. Slate wakes up and thinks he's hallucinating when he sees Rayna. Then Slate gets pissed that she has locked him and her in the basement. He's scared what will happen once he starts going through withdrawals. He doesn't want to accidentally hurt her. They make a deal! After the three days are up and they go back to their own lives will Slate stay clean or go back to the drugs?
After a few days they run into each other at the bar. Slate is not happy seeing Rayna there talking with a guy.
I’ve decided that I’m gonna come after you, full force. And soon enough there’ll be no misunderstanding as to who you belong to.” ~Slate
Rayna is not with that program. She will not let him break her heart again.
you come at me full force but get ready to hit a wall. I’ll never be with you again! Never!” ~Rayna
Even though these two were apart for six years they both never forgot each other. They were after all best friends before they were lovers.
He grabs my hand and pulls me down from the stool. “’Cause no matter how high I get, how fucked-up I am, or how far down I am on the ground…” He pulls me against him. “I always feel you,” he lifts my hand and sets it on his chest, “right here.” “Slate,” I gasp. “I warned you,” he bends down, “full force, babe.” ~Slate
I loved this book! I was up all night reading it. It was smoking hot! It was sad! It made me laugh! All the feels!
I can't wait for the third and youngest brother Zeke's book!
ITS COMING SOON!
“Some guys call, some date, and some guys, they might even get married. But, sweetheart, I ain’t any of those guys...” ~ Zeke Declan
Awesome job Kelly Gendron! Can't wait for more!
July 30, 2015
RATING: 3 Hearts! :)
SLATE is a sure pleaser for fans of childhood friends-to-lovers and second chance story tropes with just the right sprinkle of emotions. Another quick and smexy read in this series, it doesn't disappoint with its main characters or its romance. However, some plot additions were implausible for me to fully grasp this story. Just a quick example:
Overall, a fun read though and a step-up from its predecessor!
June 30, 2019
Slate was the second book in the Breaking the Declan Brothers series by Kelly Gendron. This one spoke to me.
Slate Declan was a mystery in book one, Jax, but we knew something bad had happened, we just didn’t know what. He was broody, grumpy, mean, rude, withdrawn and private. There were also references to a drug habit but nothing solid.
Rayna Keeney grew up in the Bayou and was Slate’s high school sweetheart. He was her first everything including her first heartbreak. She then left the Bayou and hadn’t looked back until now, six years later.
Slate was told with a double POV. It was emotional and heartbreaking. Gendron used both past and present and it was effective. I thoroughly enjoyed the story - although as I said, it was heartbreaking.
I was hooked from the beginning to end and read it straight through in one day. It was a quick read but it was well written, well developed and intriguing. No spoilers so no elaboration but well worth the read.
I love the Declan brothers. Zeke is next and true to form, book two left us with an intriguing hook. I can’t wait!
Slate Declan was a mystery in book one, Jax, but we knew something bad had happened, we just didn’t know what. He was broody, grumpy, mean, rude, withdrawn and private. There were also references to a drug habit but nothing solid.
Rayna Keeney grew up in the Bayou and was Slate’s high school sweetheart. He was her first everything including her first heartbreak. She then left the Bayou and hadn’t looked back until now, six years later.
Slate was told with a double POV. It was emotional and heartbreaking. Gendron used both past and present and it was effective. I thoroughly enjoyed the story - although as I said, it was heartbreaking.
I was hooked from the beginning to end and read it straight through in one day. It was a quick read but it was well written, well developed and intriguing. No spoilers so no elaboration but well worth the read.
I love the Declan brothers. Zeke is next and true to form, book two left us with an intriguing hook. I can’t wait!
June 16, 2017
***** 4.5 Stars *****
Can be read as a standalone
"You are Superman, but sometimes even Superman needs to be saved."
Rayna had a plan. She was going to break the heart of her first love. Unfortunately, Slate didn't have a heart to break anymore. He wasn't even the same man as before. It's been 6 years, and he's changed so much. She needed to come up with a new way for revenge. Rayna will bring back the real Slate to break him.
During the time Rayna left the Bayou to work in Manhattan, Slate's life became hell. He relied on 2 things... Cage fights and drugs. So when Rayna told him she was going to lock them in an apartment for 3 days, he decided that he'll break her too.
"So stop using those scars as an excuse, fight this damn addiction, and get your sh*t together."
The POV switches between Rayna and Slate. I loved the parts when it went to the past to relive the events from their childhood. It's a hot and touching story about two damaged people. I wasn't expecting much from this story, but I ended up really enjoying this.
Can be read as a standalone
"You are Superman, but sometimes even Superman needs to be saved."
Rayna had a plan. She was going to break the heart of her first love. Unfortunately, Slate didn't have a heart to break anymore. He wasn't even the same man as before. It's been 6 years, and he's changed so much. She needed to come up with a new way for revenge. Rayna will bring back the real Slate to break him.
During the time Rayna left the Bayou to work in Manhattan, Slate's life became hell. He relied on 2 things... Cage fights and drugs. So when Rayna told him she was going to lock them in an apartment for 3 days, he decided that he'll break her too.
"So stop using those scars as an excuse, fight this damn addiction, and get your sh*t together."
The POV switches between Rayna and Slate. I loved the parts when it went to the past to relive the events from their childhood. It's a hot and touching story about two damaged people. I wasn't expecting much from this story, but I ended up really enjoying this.
January 18, 2016
***ARC kindly provided for the exchange of an honest review from Netgalley***
4.5 stars!
This is book was so much better than Jax (first book of the series). The writing was better, the story was better, the characters were better, we even received some background information that explain the situation of the brothers. The author has a couple of flashbacks that in the beginning I thought were really not necessary and then I've liked them and they made sense. Also that was the biggest difference with Jax....this book made sense on so many different levels. The communication among the characters, the sex scenes, the end, everything actually made sense! My only complain is that like Jax, I had a feeling that the book could have given us more insight on the characters and/or more events could take place.
Rayna is a stubborn and strong womam and I liked her for that.
Slate was a kind of dark character and difficult to love. However they felt perfect for each other.
The end of the book was nice but the last chapters felt a bit fast. My favorite part in the end is the fact that we get a glimpse of the next book...that it will concern the last brother and his issues. I so much look forward reading it!
4.5 stars!
This is book was so much better than Jax (first book of the series). The writing was better, the story was better, the characters were better, we even received some background information that explain the situation of the brothers. The author has a couple of flashbacks that in the beginning I thought were really not necessary and then I've liked them and they made sense. Also that was the biggest difference with Jax....this book made sense on so many different levels. The communication among the characters, the sex scenes, the end, everything actually made sense! My only complain is that like Jax, I had a feeling that the book could have given us more insight on the characters and/or more events could take place.
Rayna is a stubborn and strong womam and I liked her for that.
Slate was a kind of dark character and difficult to love. However they felt perfect for each other.
The end of the book was nice but the last chapters felt a bit fast. My favorite part in the end is the fact that we get a glimpse of the next book...that it will concern the last brother and his issues. I so much look forward reading it!
August 9, 2016
ebook provided by Netgalley and Book Enthusiast Promotions in exchange for an honest review: Thank you
Review in english and portuguese.
Resenha em inglês e português.
--------
4 stars
Another Declan comes and for another brother I fell. Why create this awesome guys and let us feel sad because they are not real? Why? I don't understand.:(
For those who read JAX, remember how tense was the end? So SLATE begins just before the end of the first book now with Rayna POV about what happened. And then we found some of what had happened to Slate.
When Rayna decided to return to her hometown to enjoy the holidays with her friends Emmie and Lurlene, she knew she would run into the Declan brothers and this time she wanted to break Slate’s heart as he did this to her six years ago. These two have known each other since childhood, became close friends and then lovers. He was the reason she had left town and now she just wants to make him feel what she felt. However, Slate is no longer the same person. He went through so much it is hard to know whether he still has a heart.
I got a little angry with Slate, even understanding what led him to be the way he was. However, when the fun and sensual Slate came to life… OMG! No questions ask. Go for it, baby. He´s hot.
I had already liked Rayna in the first book. She is very strong, stubborn and knows what she wants. I loved her attitudes and the radical way of wanting to face the problems.
What I liked in this book the most were the flashbacks of these two. I love that the author force these two together. It was clear that they were made for each other. I just thought the reason for him to "break" Rayna’s heart was silly. Not that the reason itself was not justified, but it had a very quick explanation. I think it was because it lacked details, or it could be mentioned several times before in the story. Don’t know. Only seemed something was missing.
SLATE is as good as JAX. It has a drama, but it's fun and very hot. Like the first one, this is a quick read and enjoyable. I recommend to everyone who wants to be distracted by these delicious brothers.
Ah! ZEKE is not out yet. Can’t wait! I want it now!!
---------
ebook fornecido pelo Netgalley e Book Enthusiast Promotions em troca de uma resenha honesta: Obrigada
4 estrelas
Mais um irmão Declan chegou e por mais um irmão me apaixonei. Porque criar esses caras e deixar a gente chupando dedo? Por quê? Não me conformo.
Para quem leu JAX, lembra como foi tenso o final, né. Então, SLATE começa um pouco antes do final do primeiro livro agora contando a versão da Rayna sobre o ocorrido. E então descobrimos um pouco do que havia acontecido com Slate.
Rayna quando decidiu voltar para sua cidade natal para aproveitar as férias com as amigas Emmie e Lurlene, sabia que iria esbarrar com os irmãos Declan e dessa vez queria partir o coração de Slate, já que ele fez isso com ela 6 anos atrás. Os dois se conhecem desde criança, se tornaram grandes amigos e depois namorados. Ele foi o motivo dela ter deixado a cidade e agora ela só quer fazê-lo sentir o que ela sentiu. Entretanto, Slate já não é mais a mesma pessoa. Ele passou por tantas coisas é difícil questionar se ele ainda tem um coração.
Fiquei com raiva do Slate bastante tempo. Mesmo até entendendo o que o levou a ficar do jeito que ficou. Entretanto, quando o divertido, e sensual Slate aparecia... PQP! Nem tem o que questionar. É correr para o abraço. Ou outra coisa.
Eu já havia gostado da Rayna no primeiro livro. Ela é muito forte, teimosa e sabe o que quer. Adorei as atitudes dela e a maneira radical de querer encarar os problemas.
O que mais gostei nesse livro foram os flashbacks dos dois. Adorei que a autora colocou esses dois juntos. Era claro que eles foram feitos um para o outro. Só achei o motivo do Slate "quebrar o coração" da Rayna muito bobo. Não que o motivo em si não fosse justificável, mas foi muito rápida a explicação. Acho que faltaram mais detalhes sobe isso, ou que fosse mencionado várias vezes antes. Não sei. Só me pareceu que algo tava faltando.
SLATE é tão bom quando JAX. Tem um drama, mas é divertido e muito hot. Como o primeiro, um livro para ler numa sentada e curtir. Recomendo para quem quer se distrair com uns irmãos gostosos.
Ah! O livro do ZEKE ainda não saiu. Como assim? Quero pra ontem!!
Pick a Book - facebook page
Review in english and portuguese.
Resenha em inglês e português.
--------
4 stars
Another Declan comes and for another brother I fell. Why create this awesome guys and let us feel sad because they are not real? Why? I don't understand.:(
For those who read JAX, remember how tense was the end? So SLATE begins just before the end of the first book now with Rayna POV about what happened. And then we found some of what had happened to Slate.
When Rayna decided to return to her hometown to enjoy the holidays with her friends Emmie and Lurlene, she knew she would run into the Declan brothers and this time she wanted to break Slate’s heart as he did this to her six years ago. These two have known each other since childhood, became close friends and then lovers. He was the reason she had left town and now she just wants to make him feel what she felt. However, Slate is no longer the same person. He went through so much it is hard to know whether he still has a heart.
I got a little angry with Slate, even understanding what led him to be the way he was. However, when the fun and sensual Slate came to life… OMG! No questions ask. Go for it, baby. He´s hot.
I had already liked Rayna in the first book. She is very strong, stubborn and knows what she wants. I loved her attitudes and the radical way of wanting to face the problems.
What I liked in this book the most were the flashbacks of these two. I love that the author force these two together. It was clear that they were made for each other. I just thought the reason for him to "break" Rayna’s heart was silly. Not that the reason itself was not justified, but it had a very quick explanation. I think it was because it lacked details, or it could be mentioned several times before in the story. Don’t know. Only seemed something was missing.
SLATE is as good as JAX. It has a drama, but it's fun and very hot. Like the first one, this is a quick read and enjoyable. I recommend to everyone who wants to be distracted by these delicious brothers.
Ah! ZEKE is not out yet. Can’t wait! I want it now!!
---------
ebook fornecido pelo Netgalley e Book Enthusiast Promotions em troca de uma resenha honesta: Obrigada
4 estrelas
Mais um irmão Declan chegou e por mais um irmão me apaixonei. Porque criar esses caras e deixar a gente chupando dedo? Por quê? Não me conformo.
Para quem leu JAX, lembra como foi tenso o final, né. Então, SLATE começa um pouco antes do final do primeiro livro agora contando a versão da Rayna sobre o ocorrido. E então descobrimos um pouco do que havia acontecido com Slate.
Rayna quando decidiu voltar para sua cidade natal para aproveitar as férias com as amigas Emmie e Lurlene, sabia que iria esbarrar com os irmãos Declan e dessa vez queria partir o coração de Slate, já que ele fez isso com ela 6 anos atrás. Os dois se conhecem desde criança, se tornaram grandes amigos e depois namorados. Ele foi o motivo dela ter deixado a cidade e agora ela só quer fazê-lo sentir o que ela sentiu. Entretanto, Slate já não é mais a mesma pessoa. Ele passou por tantas coisas é difícil questionar se ele ainda tem um coração.
Fiquei com raiva do Slate bastante tempo. Mesmo até entendendo o que o levou a ficar do jeito que ficou. Entretanto, quando o divertido, e sensual Slate aparecia... PQP! Nem tem o que questionar. É correr para o abraço. Ou outra coisa.
Eu já havia gostado da Rayna no primeiro livro. Ela é muito forte, teimosa e sabe o que quer. Adorei as atitudes dela e a maneira radical de querer encarar os problemas.
O que mais gostei nesse livro foram os flashbacks dos dois. Adorei que a autora colocou esses dois juntos. Era claro que eles foram feitos um para o outro. Só achei o motivo do Slate "quebrar o coração" da Rayna muito bobo. Não que o motivo em si não fosse justificável, mas foi muito rápida a explicação. Acho que faltaram mais detalhes sobe isso, ou que fosse mencionado várias vezes antes. Não sei. Só me pareceu que algo tava faltando.
SLATE é tão bom quando JAX. Tem um drama, mas é divertido e muito hot. Como o primeiro, um livro para ler numa sentada e curtir. Recomendo para quem quer se distrair com uns irmãos gostosos.
Ah! O livro do ZEKE ainda não saiu. Como assim? Quero pra ontem!!
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July 17, 2015
Second chances. It's a favorite plot-point of mine when it's done well, and here, in Kelly Gendron’s Slate, it is done very well. Very well, indeed.
Rayna is determined to break her Declan brother – after all, Slate Declan did the same thing to her all those years ago. He was her first love, the sweet, kind boy she planned on forever with.
But that all changed one memorable-for-all-the-wrong-reasons night, and the time has come for payback. But the Slate she left behind when she fled the Bayou is not the Slate she’s returned to. She wanted to break him but how can she, when he's already broken?
I was not able to put this one down! Much like Jax, I was hooked from the start and really, really wanted to get a happily ever after for Rayna and Slate. Slate took me on a roller-coaster…the highs and lows matched the theme of the story and really helped me connect with these characters.
I was admittedly annoyed with Slate and his attitude and his decisions, but then again, I was supposed to be, right? I wanted him to find his heart again – but not so Rayna could break it. So she could heal it. The mentions of her hurting him, in much the same way he hurt her, jarred at little at times, especially once she knew what she was up against with him. It felt a little callous and not fitting with her otherwise good, solid character. More like, it was trying to fit the story, when the story would have been better served if she moved on. Make sense? It will, if you one-click.
Which, incidentally, you should. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Gendron forced these two together. It was gritty and very sexy – whew, boy, was it sexy! *fans self* – and it allowed her to build the story well. The flashbacks fit in perfectly with the overall tone of the story and laid a great foundation for this quick, fast read. I'm really enjoying this series, and can't wait for Zeke to get broken next! ~ Beth, 4 stars
Rayna is determined to break her Declan brother – after all, Slate Declan did the same thing to her all those years ago. He was her first love, the sweet, kind boy she planned on forever with.
But that all changed one memorable-for-all-the-wrong-reasons night, and the time has come for payback. But the Slate she left behind when she fled the Bayou is not the Slate she’s returned to. She wanted to break him but how can she, when he's already broken?
I was not able to put this one down! Much like Jax, I was hooked from the start and really, really wanted to get a happily ever after for Rayna and Slate. Slate took me on a roller-coaster…the highs and lows matched the theme of the story and really helped me connect with these characters.
I was admittedly annoyed with Slate and his attitude and his decisions, but then again, I was supposed to be, right? I wanted him to find his heart again – but not so Rayna could break it. So she could heal it. The mentions of her hurting him, in much the same way he hurt her, jarred at little at times, especially once she knew what she was up against with him. It felt a little callous and not fitting with her otherwise good, solid character. More like, it was trying to fit the story, when the story would have been better served if she moved on. Make sense? It will, if you one-click.
Which, incidentally, you should. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Gendron forced these two together. It was gritty and very sexy – whew, boy, was it sexy! *fans self* – and it allowed her to build the story well. The flashbacks fit in perfectly with the overall tone of the story and laid a great foundation for this quick, fast read. I'm really enjoying this series, and can't wait for Zeke to get broken next! ~ Beth, 4 stars
September 21, 2015
Rayna is back in Bayou with her bff's after being away for years with the intentions to break the heart of the Declan brother who broke hers; Slate Declan. What she does not know at first is that she will have to bring him back from the brink.
What Rayna never knew was , he broke her heart on purpose because he saw better for her, he wanted her to have that better life the one he believed he could not give her; so when the opportunity presented itself he used it Did it break her heart yes, but it damn near killed him. Rayna, does not know that so she carries that hurt and anger and is determined to get even in the process of doing that she will have to learn the horrible truth . Slate is not the man she left, he is addicted to drugs, not by choice at first he was severely injured in a fire and became addicted to the pain killers and had no reason to really stop, the women he loved was gone and he had no one was going to fill her void.
He used the Mma fighting at the bar to help fill it, but Ajax would only let him fight if he was clean which being and addict was hard.
Once Rayna, sees what has happened to Slate she is determined to clean him up , make him fall for her then break him, what she does not realize is she will become his consuming catalyst to stay clean and to have that Slate will put the full press on. The question is , will Rayna cave?
This was a quick read and even better than the first book, looking forward to the next!
Arc copy graciously provided by the author via netgalley for an honest review.
What Rayna never knew was , he broke her heart on purpose because he saw better for her, he wanted her to have that better life the one he believed he could not give her; so when the opportunity presented itself he used it Did it break her heart yes, but it damn near killed him. Rayna, does not know that so she carries that hurt and anger and is determined to get even in the process of doing that she will have to learn the horrible truth . Slate is not the man she left, he is addicted to drugs, not by choice at first he was severely injured in a fire and became addicted to the pain killers and had no reason to really stop, the women he loved was gone and he had no one was going to fill her void.
He used the Mma fighting at the bar to help fill it, but Ajax would only let him fight if he was clean which being and addict was hard.
Once Rayna, sees what has happened to Slate she is determined to clean him up , make him fall for her then break him, what she does not realize is she will become his consuming catalyst to stay clean and to have that Slate will put the full press on. The question is , will Rayna cave?
This was a quick read and even better than the first book, looking forward to the next!
Arc copy graciously provided by the author via netgalley for an honest review.
August 30, 2015
The first book left me in a neutral place but I am glad I took the chance and gave it another try. Slate's story had depth and development that really made a difference to me in the book's appeal. The chemistry between the main characters and the level of their love allows for this story to really blossom. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to read more! PS: Those love scenes were hottt!
July 11, 2015
I received this in a giveaway for an honest review.
OMG!! This book is fabulous! I thought Jax's story was amazing but Slate's blew it out of the park!
Slate is dealing with all kinds of demons from his past. Then in walks Rayna his past childhood friend and the love of his life. She is the girl whose heart he broke. He doesn't want her seeing him the way that he is now. can he keep her at arms length still?
Rayna is having none of it. She can't believe the man that he has become. The past means nothing to her she just wants Slate to beat his demons. She wants to help him. Can she do it without losing her heart again?
This is a 5 star read! Absolutely amazing! The chemistry is off the charts. The story writing is brilliant. The author did an amazing job. I can't wait for Zeke's story!
OMG!! This book is fabulous! I thought Jax's story was amazing but Slate's blew it out of the park!
Slate is dealing with all kinds of demons from his past. Then in walks Rayna his past childhood friend and the love of his life. She is the girl whose heart he broke. He doesn't want her seeing him the way that he is now. can he keep her at arms length still?
Rayna is having none of it. She can't believe the man that he has become. The past means nothing to her she just wants Slate to beat his demons. She wants to help him. Can she do it without losing her heart again?
This is a 5 star read! Absolutely amazing! The chemistry is off the charts. The story writing is brilliant. The author did an amazing job. I can't wait for Zeke's story!
August 2, 2015
5 Stars GREAT!!!!
OMG, I am hooked on these Declan Brothers!!!!!!!!! Slate, oh Slate....and Rayna too, gosh did I love them:) What a great second chance love story. I am now excited for Zeke's story and can't wait for it's release!
Congrats Kelly Gendron, what a beautiful, emotional second chance love story!!!!!
OMG, I am hooked on these Declan Brothers!!!!!!!!! Slate, oh Slate....and Rayna too, gosh did I love them:) What a great second chance love story. I am now excited for Zeke's story and can't wait for it's release!
Congrats Kelly Gendron, what a beautiful, emotional second chance love story!!!!!
July 24, 2015
This series is soooooo good!!! I can't wait for book 3!
July 21, 2015
4.5 stars
When I first read Jax (the first book in Breaking the Declan Brothers Series), I loved all of them but I knew that Slate's story will be one of the most heartbreaking stories I've ever read. And I was completely right. The book is intriguing and once I started reading, I was completely pulled into it and didn't put it down until the very last word. The story is a clever combination of heartbreak, laughter and pantie melting hot scenes. The characters are quite interesting and entertaining. I am pretty sure you will fall in love with both Slate and Rayna :)
Slate is quite the dominant alpha male but you will definitely not see that from the beginning of the story. After a tragic accident few years after he lost his first love, he loses also his direction in life. He changes from the kind and compassionate man Rayna knew to a constantly angry and rude man with a heart made of stone. Or at least that's what he presents to the world. All that changes in matter of days when Slate and Rayna are forced to spend time together. Even though Rayna's only goal is to break his heart, she still cares about him and does everything in her power to heal the scars and demons Slate hides from the world. And behind his mask, she finds the only man she could ever love, not the kind and compassionate boy, but a strong and dominant man, with a heart of gold and ready to fight for the only woman he ever loved. I have to say that Slate and Rayna definitely burn up the sheets together and that brought some pretty hot scenes that simply left me breathless :) The only thing that I was sorry about is that the story finished too fast :D I would of loved to get some more of Slate ;)
One thing that was kind of a minus for me was the unrealistic amount of time that Slate needed to recover. From what I know about the things he had to overcome, it is not something that happens for 2-3 days but much longer period of time. Apart from that I so loved the book :)
So, in few words, this is a great short read. The story is intriguing and entertaining with some humorous scenes and some pretty hot ones, so if you don't have a good poker face, I don't recommend reading it in public :D Slate and Rayna are a great couple and the chemistry between them is off the charts, you can feel it through every word :) So far the first two book in the series are definitely some of my favorites so I can't wait for the third book in the series. Zeke and Lurlene will be definitely an interesting couple :D
This review was originally posted at Living In Our Own Story Book Blog. I received an ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.
When I first read Jax (the first book in Breaking the Declan Brothers Series), I loved all of them but I knew that Slate's story will be one of the most heartbreaking stories I've ever read. And I was completely right. The book is intriguing and once I started reading, I was completely pulled into it and didn't put it down until the very last word. The story is a clever combination of heartbreak, laughter and pantie melting hot scenes. The characters are quite interesting and entertaining. I am pretty sure you will fall in love with both Slate and Rayna :)
Slate is quite the dominant alpha male but you will definitely not see that from the beginning of the story. After a tragic accident few years after he lost his first love, he loses also his direction in life. He changes from the kind and compassionate man Rayna knew to a constantly angry and rude man with a heart made of stone. Or at least that's what he presents to the world. All that changes in matter of days when Slate and Rayna are forced to spend time together. Even though Rayna's only goal is to break his heart, she still cares about him and does everything in her power to heal the scars and demons Slate hides from the world. And behind his mask, she finds the only man she could ever love, not the kind and compassionate boy, but a strong and dominant man, with a heart of gold and ready to fight for the only woman he ever loved. I have to say that Slate and Rayna definitely burn up the sheets together and that brought some pretty hot scenes that simply left me breathless :) The only thing that I was sorry about is that the story finished too fast :D I would of loved to get some more of Slate ;)
One thing that was kind of a minus for me was the unrealistic amount of time that Slate needed to recover. From what I know about the things he had to overcome, it is not something that happens for 2-3 days but much longer period of time. Apart from that I so loved the book :)
So, in few words, this is a great short read. The story is intriguing and entertaining with some humorous scenes and some pretty hot ones, so if you don't have a good poker face, I don't recommend reading it in public :D Slate and Rayna are a great couple and the chemistry between them is off the charts, you can feel it through every word :) So far the first two book in the series are definitely some of my favorites so I can't wait for the third book in the series. Zeke and Lurlene will be definitely an interesting couple :D
This review was originally posted at Living In Our Own Story Book Blog. I received an ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.
August 22, 2015
This book made me physically uncomfortable. I think it glossed over addiction and the work that needs to be done to fight it and stay sober. The detox process in this book just rubbed me the wrong way. It creeped me out and I actually almost stopped reading.
I thought it was disrespectful to those that have fought addiction to make it seem that after three days of detox (which he didn't even do because he had a stash in the den somewhere) his urges seemed to be completely under control. I mean he had no therapy, treatment, nothing.
The sex was manipulative and degrading to me. I mean Slate has to "punish" her by smacking her ass after his "three day detox" and "fuck her hard". Ugh. No. Stop it. I didn't like Slate or Rayna for actually agreeing to this crap.
No.
Just no.
Rating: 1 out of 5 (I would give it a ZERO if I could...)
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought it was disrespectful to those that have fought addiction to make it seem that after three days of detox (which he didn't even do because he had a stash in the den somewhere) his urges seemed to be completely under control. I mean he had no therapy, treatment, nothing.
The sex was manipulative and degrading to me. I mean Slate has to "punish" her by smacking her ass after his "three day detox" and "fuck her hard". Ugh. No. Stop it. I didn't like Slate or Rayna for actually agreeing to this crap.
No.
Just no.
Rating: 1 out of 5 (I would give it a ZERO if I could...)
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2015
5 Stars!
After reading JAX, I pre-ordered SLATE and I have to say that I didn’t regret it!
I got hooked to this one as well. The chemistry and tension between Rayna and Slate was so exciting!
Rayna lives in New York and is a street worker and mediator. She lives there with her best friend Emmie & Lurlene.
They decide to visit Emmie’s & Rayna’s hometown in Texas for the summer and check out what the Declan Brothers are doing. (Jax, Slate and Zeke)
Now Emmie & Jax are a couple, that leaves Rayna and Lurlene to accomplish their tasks.
But Slate is not the Slate Rayna knew 6 years ago, they both have to fight for each other
After reading JAX, I pre-ordered SLATE and I have to say that I didn’t regret it!
I got hooked to this one as well. The chemistry and tension between Rayna and Slate was so exciting!
Rayna lives in New York and is a street worker and mediator. She lives there with her best friend Emmie & Lurlene.
They decide to visit Emmie’s & Rayna’s hometown in Texas for the summer and check out what the Declan Brothers are doing. (Jax, Slate and Zeke)
Now Emmie & Jax are a couple, that leaves Rayna and Lurlene to accomplish their tasks.
But Slate is not the Slate Rayna knew 6 years ago, they both have to fight for each other
August 8, 2015
ARC received for review
3.5 stars
Great middle book in this series. Slate is just as yummy as his brother Jax, but I can't give him more stars because it takes longer than 3 days to overcome a multiple year addiction. Yes, I know it's fiction, but it's got to have some believablity to it. Loved the way Ms. Gendron wove in little peaks at their past. Rayna may have said she wasn't in love with Slate, but I don't think she ever stopped loving him. Can't wait for Zeke and how Lurlene is going to bring him down.
3.5 stars
Great middle book in this series. Slate is just as yummy as his brother Jax, but I can't give him more stars because it takes longer than 3 days to overcome a multiple year addiction. Yes, I know it's fiction, but it's got to have some believablity to it. Loved the way Ms. Gendron wove in little peaks at their past. Rayna may have said she wasn't in love with Slate, but I don't think she ever stopped loving him. Can't wait for Zeke and how Lurlene is going to bring him down.
August 13, 2015
This was a good read and I would have liked to see more interaction with SLADE!!! Loved this one, of course super sexy Slate!! He can be my superman! Alpha male with an extra shot of ALPHA!! Loved it! I did enjoy these characters and this book just went fast and almost in ONE sitting! I didn't realize till the end!! What? I am 97%..Can't wait for the Lady's Man who loves them and leaves them. That should be interesting! Glad I was able to review this one! Enjoy!
I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you Net Galley!
I received this ARC from the publisher via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you Net Galley!
July 28, 2015
4*s
Loved it 'but' I wish there had been more time devoted to them getting back together because once he made the decision..... the rest just felt rushed and I wanted more. Still a fab read though!
Loved it 'but' I wish there had been more time devoted to them getting back together because once he made the decision..... the rest just felt rushed and I wanted more. Still a fab read though!
February 2, 2020
“Now, Slate Declan, he’s all mine. He’s been mine since the second grade. And six years ago, he broke my heart, smashed it to smithereens. So, that Declan brother is all mine to break, and I plan to shatter his ass.”
Wow. What can I say besides, the reading community needs more authors like Kelly Gendron. Her strong plot line, her talent for perfecting the perfect voice that just draws you into the story from page one and the tidbits of information she drops leading up to the cliff hanger and boy did she leave us with a big whopper this time!
2 down, 1 to girl. The girls of Bayou City, TX came to town for the summer with one goal on their minds. Break the Declan brothers. Emmy won Jax over in book one and now it was time to see if Rayna could do the same to Slate. But Rayna and Slates roots run deep and the battles that Slate had to face in Rayna’s absence had already left him broken. Rayna quickly learns that her mission is to fix Slate Declan. Fix him from himself.
But once an addict always an addict, right? Could Rayna and Slate’s teenage love really be enough to save the flawed man he has become? And in the end, is Rayna going to be able to walk away from the only man she has ever loved?
What a whirlwind adventure! Three days. Three days is all it took for all of the emotions to resurface with these two. While I’m not sure Slate’s dirty mouth really worked with this story, I still enjoyed it. I just kept thinking to myself, how odd to reconnect with your boyfriend six years later and he’s adapted this whole new sexual persona that you never knew about. I just imagine that would be more of a turn off than turn on, like what kind of whores have you been around the block with, Champ?
I will say, Zeke has never held much of my attention, but that last page in the book…oh my. He has my full attention! I must know what the hell happened to him the night of his parent’s death! I also hope book three provides some closure on that subject. I was left with a ton of questions, and like the kids Slate went to school with, I kinda wonder if his mother was having an affair at the time of her death…please, please, I hope book 3 addresses this!
Wow. What can I say besides, the reading community needs more authors like Kelly Gendron. Her strong plot line, her talent for perfecting the perfect voice that just draws you into the story from page one and the tidbits of information she drops leading up to the cliff hanger and boy did she leave us with a big whopper this time!
2 down, 1 to girl. The girls of Bayou City, TX came to town for the summer with one goal on their minds. Break the Declan brothers. Emmy won Jax over in book one and now it was time to see if Rayna could do the same to Slate. But Rayna and Slates roots run deep and the battles that Slate had to face in Rayna’s absence had already left him broken. Rayna quickly learns that her mission is to fix Slate Declan. Fix him from himself.
But once an addict always an addict, right? Could Rayna and Slate’s teenage love really be enough to save the flawed man he has become? And in the end, is Rayna going to be able to walk away from the only man she has ever loved?
What a whirlwind adventure! Three days. Three days is all it took for all of the emotions to resurface with these two. While I’m not sure Slate’s dirty mouth really worked with this story, I still enjoyed it. I just kept thinking to myself, how odd to reconnect with your boyfriend six years later and he’s adapted this whole new sexual persona that you never knew about. I just imagine that would be more of a turn off than turn on, like what kind of whores have you been around the block with, Champ?
I will say, Zeke has never held much of my attention, but that last page in the book…oh my. He has my full attention! I must know what the hell happened to him the night of his parent’s death! I also hope book three provides some closure on that subject. I was left with a ton of questions, and like the kids Slate went to school with, I kinda wonder if his mother was having an affair at the time of her death…please, please, I hope book 3 addresses this!
July 1, 2019
Review to follow
September 20, 2015
3.5 stars---
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 12015
First loves, we all got them. Mine is Slate Declan. He was kind, gentle, and caring. Still, he managed to break my heart. So I put miles between us, and eventually, my heart healed.
I haven’t seen Slate in years, but a couple friends and I are going back to the Bayou for the summer. While I’m visiting my hometown, I’m going to look up Slate Declan. And I plan to break his heart, just as he did mine. I'll remind him of what he has lost, and then I'll prove to him that I’ve moved on.
It should be real easy, right?
Well, let me tell you, Slate Declan is not the same guy that I left behind. And there’s another problem. How do you break someone’s heart when they no longer have one?
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--SLATE is the second installment in Kelly Gendron’s contemporary, adult Breaking the Declan Brothers erotic romance series focusing on Jax, Slate and Zeke Declan of the Bayou Vista, Texas. This is MMA fighter and co-owner of the family JZS bar Slate Declan, and social worker/ divorce mediator Rayna Keeney’s second chance storyline. SLATE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for history and cohesion.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Rayna and Slate) using flashback and present day timeline SLATE follows the rekindling of the relationship between Rayna and Slate but for all intents and purposes Slate is not the man Rayna left six years earlier. Along with her best friends Emmie and Lurlene, Rayna has returned to the Texas Bayou for a summer vacation and with it the friends have focused their time and seduction on the three Declan Brothers. Each of our heroine’s has a history with one of the Declan Brothers and they are determined to ‘break’ the boys for sins of the past.
Rayna and Slate have been friends since the second grade when Slate was transferred to Rayna’s school following the death of his parents. Throughout their earlier years Slate was Rayna’s best friend and protector, and eventually they would become lovers. But finding Slate in bed with another woman pushed Rayna out of his life and six years later, Rayna returns home to a man she no longer recognizes-both emotionally, mentally and in physical appearance. Slate is a MMA fighter whose demons ride him hard; whose past is rife with heartbreak, pain and addiction; whose need for Rayna has never diminished or faltered.
The relationship is one of second chances but Slate is no longer the man he once was. Years of self-inflicted abuse have changed the man Rayna once loved and our heroine is determined to see Slate through his recovery and new direction in life. The $ex scenes are erotic and aggressive. The Declan boys like it rough in the bedroom, and spanking is their preferred form of foreplay and punishment. I will add that upon reintroduction to the women that they love the Declan Brothers come across as jerks, a$$holes and sexual predators. There are threats and promises of a sexual nature that for most women would require a police intervention but our heroines believe that what it is they want, is the man who is emotionally abusive at the start of their new-found relationships.
All of the previous storyline characters play a secondary and supporting role including Emmie and Jax Declan, Deke Declan and Rayna’s friend Lurlene. The character building is much more detailed in this particular storyline. We are witness to the past events that lead up to Rayna’s escape from the Texas Bayou, and the events leading to the destruction of Slate-mind, body and soul. The cause of death of Jax, Slate and Deke’s parents is a little more detailed, but we have yet to learn the entire story.
SLATE is the story about a broken man; a man whose life was all but destroyed but I did have some issues of realism and accuracy as it pertained to Slate’s recovery and treatment. The author should have researched the side effects, consequences and time frame; what is presented in the storyline is not realistic or plausible. There is also an issue with Slate’s reasons for allowing the woman that he loved to walk away without a fight-again-the believability is lacking.
SLATE is a fast paced, quick read that will break your heart for a man who has suffered so many losses. There are moments of love and loss; heartbreak and pain; letting go and moving on. The premise is entertaining; the characterizations are well rounded and informative; the romance is sexy and hot. As with Jax’s storyline Slate will get his happily ever after but the path to happiness is a bumpy ride.
Copy supplied by Netgalley.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 21, 12015
First loves, we all got them. Mine is Slate Declan. He was kind, gentle, and caring. Still, he managed to break my heart. So I put miles between us, and eventually, my heart healed.
I haven’t seen Slate in years, but a couple friends and I are going back to the Bayou for the summer. While I’m visiting my hometown, I’m going to look up Slate Declan. And I plan to break his heart, just as he did mine. I'll remind him of what he has lost, and then I'll prove to him that I’ve moved on.
It should be real easy, right?
Well, let me tell you, Slate Declan is not the same guy that I left behind. And there’s another problem. How do you break someone’s heart when they no longer have one?
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--SLATE is the second installment in Kelly Gendron’s contemporary, adult Breaking the Declan Brothers erotic romance series focusing on Jax, Slate and Zeke Declan of the Bayou Vista, Texas. This is MMA fighter and co-owner of the family JZS bar Slate Declan, and social worker/ divorce mediator Rayna Keeney’s second chance storyline. SLATE can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for history and cohesion.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Rayna and Slate) using flashback and present day timeline SLATE follows the rekindling of the relationship between Rayna and Slate but for all intents and purposes Slate is not the man Rayna left six years earlier. Along with her best friends Emmie and Lurlene, Rayna has returned to the Texas Bayou for a summer vacation and with it the friends have focused their time and seduction on the three Declan Brothers. Each of our heroine’s has a history with one of the Declan Brothers and they are determined to ‘break’ the boys for sins of the past.
Rayna and Slate have been friends since the second grade when Slate was transferred to Rayna’s school following the death of his parents. Throughout their earlier years Slate was Rayna’s best friend and protector, and eventually they would become lovers. But finding Slate in bed with another woman pushed Rayna out of his life and six years later, Rayna returns home to a man she no longer recognizes-both emotionally, mentally and in physical appearance. Slate is a MMA fighter whose demons ride him hard; whose past is rife with heartbreak, pain and addiction; whose need for Rayna has never diminished or faltered.
The relationship is one of second chances but Slate is no longer the man he once was. Years of self-inflicted abuse have changed the man Rayna once loved and our heroine is determined to see Slate through his recovery and new direction in life. The $ex scenes are erotic and aggressive. The Declan boys like it rough in the bedroom, and spanking is their preferred form of foreplay and punishment. I will add that upon reintroduction to the women that they love the Declan Brothers come across as jerks, a$$holes and sexual predators. There are threats and promises of a sexual nature that for most women would require a police intervention but our heroines believe that what it is they want, is the man who is emotionally abusive at the start of their new-found relationships.
All of the previous storyline characters play a secondary and supporting role including Emmie and Jax Declan, Deke Declan and Rayna’s friend Lurlene. The character building is much more detailed in this particular storyline. We are witness to the past events that lead up to Rayna’s escape from the Texas Bayou, and the events leading to the destruction of Slate-mind, body and soul. The cause of death of Jax, Slate and Deke’s parents is a little more detailed, but we have yet to learn the entire story.
SLATE is the story about a broken man; a man whose life was all but destroyed but I did have some issues of realism and accuracy as it pertained to Slate’s recovery and treatment. The author should have researched the side effects, consequences and time frame; what is presented in the storyline is not realistic or plausible. There is also an issue with Slate’s reasons for allowing the woman that he loved to walk away without a fight-again-the believability is lacking.
SLATE is a fast paced, quick read that will break your heart for a man who has suffered so many losses. There are moments of love and loss; heartbreak and pain; letting go and moving on. The premise is entertaining; the characterizations are well rounded and informative; the romance is sexy and hot. As with Jax’s storyline Slate will get his happily ever after but the path to happiness is a bumpy ride.
Copy supplied by Netgalley.
December 9, 2015
Warning: this book will definitely make you run the gamut of emotions, from bone deep empathy to panty-melting arousal and everything in between.
Slate Declan was Rayna Keeney's first love, first lay and first heartbreak. But they're called firsts for a reason, since it implies a relationship that no longer exists. Rayna's ex no longer exists either, not if the man she sees before her is who Slate is now. The man with the cold, dead eyes. With the scars covering his body. With the addiction. However, Rayna's not one to give up on her once best friend and love of her life, so she convinces his brothers to lock and barricade her and the unconscious Slate in the basement together. Alone. For 3 days.
When Slate comes to, he is PISSED. It's bad enough that Rayna has seen his scars, but she's going to see him go through withdrawals too? Fuck that! But Rayna's nothing if not persistent, and if she has to use sex to keep his mind off of the drugs and the demons in his hearts? Well then, she'll just have to take one for the team.
So, SLATE. Damn, but Ms. Gendron took an entirely different direction with this book after the sinfully sexy but sweet first book in the Breaking the Declan Brothers trilogy, Jax. Powerful and sad yet erotic as hell, SLATE touches on the mindset of an addict and the struggles they deal with just to get through the day. Rayna has never stopped loving Slate, even after he cheated on her and crushed her heart. Seeing him at his absolute worst six years later, scarred and bruised, drugged up and inked up and buff as hell has so many effects on her body: sadness, sympathy, devastation, heartbreak and lust all battle it out while Slate is battling his withdrawal and control. He's terrified he's going to hurt her and vacillates between cruelly driving her away and using her attraction to him to keep his mind occupied.
My heart just broke for Slate, as it does for many real-life addicts who fall into a pattern of addiction because of seemingly innocent pain medication after an accident. The connection the two of them had, despite the heaviness of the storyline, was still intense, and I applaud Ms. Gendron for her ability to write this couple like they legit knew each other since they were in single digits. Their connection was stretched thin, but unbreakable, and the sex? HELLO! Wickedly erotic, I panted a little bit over the the bad girl spanking he unleashed on Rayna's ass…delicious! Fans of erotic romance will absolutely DEVOUR this series!
Bottom Line: Excellent and poignant read that will have you believing in the power of love. - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
Slate Declan was Rayna Keeney's first love, first lay and first heartbreak. But they're called firsts for a reason, since it implies a relationship that no longer exists. Rayna's ex no longer exists either, not if the man she sees before her is who Slate is now. The man with the cold, dead eyes. With the scars covering his body. With the addiction. However, Rayna's not one to give up on her once best friend and love of her life, so she convinces his brothers to lock and barricade her and the unconscious Slate in the basement together. Alone. For 3 days.
When Slate comes to, he is PISSED. It's bad enough that Rayna has seen his scars, but she's going to see him go through withdrawals too? Fuck that! But Rayna's nothing if not persistent, and if she has to use sex to keep his mind off of the drugs and the demons in his hearts? Well then, she'll just have to take one for the team.
So, SLATE. Damn, but Ms. Gendron took an entirely different direction with this book after the sinfully sexy but sweet first book in the Breaking the Declan Brothers trilogy, Jax. Powerful and sad yet erotic as hell, SLATE touches on the mindset of an addict and the struggles they deal with just to get through the day. Rayna has never stopped loving Slate, even after he cheated on her and crushed her heart. Seeing him at his absolute worst six years later, scarred and bruised, drugged up and inked up and buff as hell has so many effects on her body: sadness, sympathy, devastation, heartbreak and lust all battle it out while Slate is battling his withdrawal and control. He's terrified he's going to hurt her and vacillates between cruelly driving her away and using her attraction to him to keep his mind occupied.
My heart just broke for Slate, as it does for many real-life addicts who fall into a pattern of addiction because of seemingly innocent pain medication after an accident. The connection the two of them had, despite the heaviness of the storyline, was still intense, and I applaud Ms. Gendron for her ability to write this couple like they legit knew each other since they were in single digits. Their connection was stretched thin, but unbreakable, and the sex? HELLO! Wickedly erotic, I panted a little bit over the the bad girl spanking he unleashed on Rayna's ass…delicious! Fans of erotic romance will absolutely DEVOUR this series!
Bottom Line: Excellent and poignant read that will have you believing in the power of love. - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
September 18, 2015
*I received a copy via Net Galley in exchange for a honest review*
After having read Jax, the first in the Breaking the Declan brothers series, I had to immediately start reading this book. Kelly Gendron once again brings your head and your heart along for the ride in this second chance love story about lost love, addiction, and tragedy. Slate and Rayna have a way of burrowing under your skin and piercing your heart. They kept me engrossed from the moment of Rayna's crazy idea and had me rooting for this past couple to make a comeback. Reading their story with glimpses back at their childhood and budding romance allows the reader a chance to truly feel their connection and selfless love for one another.
Slate Declan is a man who has seen a lot of tragedy in his lifetime, most of which he saw with Rayna by his side. Three years ago when his world crashed and burned and left him damaged and scarred, the love of his life was not there to help pick him up since he had pushed her away years before. Without anyone to help him through his unending physical pain, he begins to depend on drugs to hurl him into a black abyss and numb his pain. He is stuck in a vicious cycle and is resigned to his drug induced state. Little does he know that Rayna is back in town and has a plan up her sleeve to rescue him from his addiction and break his heart.
Rayna is planning on having a fun summer with her two best friends and traveling back to her hometown with one goal in mind. Slate Declan broke her heart many years ago and she is back to do the same to him. When she finds a broken man in the place of the kind hearted man that she fell in love with, she is confused by the attraction and compassion she feels for this much darker version of Slate. She forges ahead with a dangerous plan and a pact with the devil himself that is sure not to leave her heart unscathed.
Slate and Rayna's love story is by far my favorite couple in Breaking the Declan Brothers series. I love reading friends to lovers and second chance romance, so I thrilled to find both in Slate. I was enchanted after having read Jax but now I am truly addicted and cannot wait to find to read about Zeke the final brother in the Declan family. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a story full of heart, realistic issues, and undeniable passion.
After having read Jax, the first in the Breaking the Declan brothers series, I had to immediately start reading this book. Kelly Gendron once again brings your head and your heart along for the ride in this second chance love story about lost love, addiction, and tragedy. Slate and Rayna have a way of burrowing under your skin and piercing your heart. They kept me engrossed from the moment of Rayna's crazy idea and had me rooting for this past couple to make a comeback. Reading their story with glimpses back at their childhood and budding romance allows the reader a chance to truly feel their connection and selfless love for one another.
Slate Declan is a man who has seen a lot of tragedy in his lifetime, most of which he saw with Rayna by his side. Three years ago when his world crashed and burned and left him damaged and scarred, the love of his life was not there to help pick him up since he had pushed her away years before. Without anyone to help him through his unending physical pain, he begins to depend on drugs to hurl him into a black abyss and numb his pain. He is stuck in a vicious cycle and is resigned to his drug induced state. Little does he know that Rayna is back in town and has a plan up her sleeve to rescue him from his addiction and break his heart.
Rayna is planning on having a fun summer with her two best friends and traveling back to her hometown with one goal in mind. Slate Declan broke her heart many years ago and she is back to do the same to him. When she finds a broken man in the place of the kind hearted man that she fell in love with, she is confused by the attraction and compassion she feels for this much darker version of Slate. She forges ahead with a dangerous plan and a pact with the devil himself that is sure not to leave her heart unscathed.
Slate and Rayna's love story is by far my favorite couple in Breaking the Declan Brothers series. I love reading friends to lovers and second chance romance, so I thrilled to find both in Slate. I was enchanted after having read Jax but now I am truly addicted and cannot wait to find to read about Zeke the final brother in the Declan family. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a story full of heart, realistic issues, and undeniable passion.
July 18, 2015
This is the second book in the Breaking The Declan Brothers series and this time it is Slate and Rayna’s story.
Slate and Rayna were first love sweethearts but when he broke her heart she left town to heal her broken heart and move on with her life. But she has never forgotten him or understood how the sweet and loving Slate could ever have done that to her. Now back in town with her best friends, they are on a mission to break the Declan brothers. Emmie has already captured Jax(in book one) so now it is Rayna’s turn in the challenge, only when she first sees Slate she is in for a big shock as gone is the beautiful and sweet man she left behind. It’s now time to find out what happened but also make him regret breaking her heart.
This was a little more angst driven and darker than the first book, mainly due to the content of drug addiction and the other demons Slate is hiding. I liked that Rayna was a go getting kick ass kind of character but some of her intentions were a little out of character. Never the less you could still feel the untold feelings this pairing had for each other and there is nothing I love more than a second chance romance. In this one though it took some strong determination and a whole lot of issues to get through.
The difference in Slate’s character from the beginning to the end keep the reader on their toes but absolutely routing for him to see the light and grab Rayna whilst he can. There is only one thing holding Rayna back and once this is revealed it is a satisfactory ride onto the HEA we are all waiting for. I must admit the reason for the break up left me feeling a bit grinding on my back teeth and wondering why Rayna had not been shouting and screaming her mouth off at him for what she considered he had done. But then we wouldn’t have gotten this angsty second chance romance then I guess.
Overall a great addition to the series and easily able to fall for another Declan brother. Looking forward to see how Zeke is taken to his knees by Lurlean in the next book in the series. Four stars.
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for my honest review
Slate and Rayna were first love sweethearts but when he broke her heart she left town to heal her broken heart and move on with her life. But she has never forgotten him or understood how the sweet and loving Slate could ever have done that to her. Now back in town with her best friends, they are on a mission to break the Declan brothers. Emmie has already captured Jax(in book one) so now it is Rayna’s turn in the challenge, only when she first sees Slate she is in for a big shock as gone is the beautiful and sweet man she left behind. It’s now time to find out what happened but also make him regret breaking her heart.
This was a little more angst driven and darker than the first book, mainly due to the content of drug addiction and the other demons Slate is hiding. I liked that Rayna was a go getting kick ass kind of character but some of her intentions were a little out of character. Never the less you could still feel the untold feelings this pairing had for each other and there is nothing I love more than a second chance romance. In this one though it took some strong determination and a whole lot of issues to get through.
The difference in Slate’s character from the beginning to the end keep the reader on their toes but absolutely routing for him to see the light and grab Rayna whilst he can. There is only one thing holding Rayna back and once this is revealed it is a satisfactory ride onto the HEA we are all waiting for. I must admit the reason for the break up left me feeling a bit grinding on my back teeth and wondering why Rayna had not been shouting and screaming her mouth off at him for what she considered he had done. But then we wouldn’t have gotten this angsty second chance romance then I guess.
Overall a great addition to the series and easily able to fall for another Declan brother. Looking forward to see how Zeke is taken to his knees by Lurlean in the next book in the series. Four stars.
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for my honest review
August 5, 2016
Slate is a trouble young man who hasn't had the best life, but there is still his very loving side very deep down. Rayna is a very sweet lovable character.
As soon as I started reading, I got really engrossed into the story, I loved both the characters, I think they made a very cute couple. I liked the sound of his brothers and would love to read their books.
When Rayna was down in the den with Slate for them 3 days, I felt like I could feel his pain, I felt very sorry for him.
There is some steamy parts in the book that I do have to admit, did make me blush a little bit, but they are very well wrote.
Overall, a very steamy, very readable book, I would recommend it.
For full review: https://steamybookreviews.wordpress.c...
August 9, 2015
Title: Slate
Series: Breaking the Declan Brothers #2
Author: Kelly Gendron
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 200
Heat Level: 3 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Naughty Book Snitch Kay
I enjoyed Slate's book so much more than the first book in the series. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance. Rayna and her two friends have come home for the summer to relax and have made a pact to "break the Declan brothers". Rayna wants revenge against Slate Declan for cheating on her when they were a couple years ago. Her plan is to make him fall for her and then break his heart. When she finally sees him, she realizes that he's already broken.
Slate is now an addict. Drugs and fighting are his life now. His trips to rehab have all failed. There's no light in his world, just guilt, pain and heartbreak. He was partially disfigured from a fire that he was trapped in.
Rayna decides that she's gonna save him from drugs and himself. The only problem is that she still loves him. She devises a detox plan for him and when it goes into effect, neither of them sees their love coming back in full force.
I devoured this book in a day. The characters felt real and touching. For people who love a second chance love story, it's a good one.
Book given in exchange for an honest review via the publisher and NetGalley.
Series: Breaking the Declan Brothers #2
Author: Kelly Gendron
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 200
Heat Level: 3 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Naughty Book Snitch Kay
I enjoyed Slate's book so much more than the first book in the series. I'm a sucker for a second chance romance. Rayna and her two friends have come home for the summer to relax and have made a pact to "break the Declan brothers". Rayna wants revenge against Slate Declan for cheating on her when they were a couple years ago. Her plan is to make him fall for her and then break his heart. When she finally sees him, she realizes that he's already broken.
Slate is now an addict. Drugs and fighting are his life now. His trips to rehab have all failed. There's no light in his world, just guilt, pain and heartbreak. He was partially disfigured from a fire that he was trapped in.
Rayna decides that she's gonna save him from drugs and himself. The only problem is that she still loves him. She devises a detox plan for him and when it goes into effect, neither of them sees their love coming back in full force.
I devoured this book in a day. The characters felt real and touching. For people who love a second chance love story, it's a good one.
Book given in exchange for an honest review via the publisher and NetGalley.
February 12, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from Book Enthusiast Promotions in exchange for an honest review and as part of the book's blog tour promotions.
When I read the first book, it was Slate's story that got me very interested. He was a broken hero, a good man who was so lost that it seemed impossible for him to be saved. He's lost a lot of things in his life. Even fighting and the arena only provided a temporary fix.
Slate was a difficult hero to love because he was deeply into drugs. In the first book, Rayna wasn't such a great character. But I loved her in this book. What she did for Slate and everything that happened to the two of them were all well played out in the book.
I always love second chance romances. I love it more if the story looks very challenging and almost impossible in the beginning. I liked this installment because there was more to the plot and the story compared to the first book. There was a real struggle in the characters - Slate on whether he could work on staying away from drugs, and Rayna on whether she could give Slate another chance or not.
If you found the first book to be a bit mediocre, you shouldn't stop reading the series because the payoff in this book is worth it. At this point, I will definitely watch out for Zeke and Lurlene's story, although I doubt I'd love it as much as this one.
When I read the first book, it was Slate's story that got me very interested. He was a broken hero, a good man who was so lost that it seemed impossible for him to be saved. He's lost a lot of things in his life. Even fighting and the arena only provided a temporary fix.
Slate was a difficult hero to love because he was deeply into drugs. In the first book, Rayna wasn't such a great character. But I loved her in this book. What she did for Slate and everything that happened to the two of them were all well played out in the book.
I always love second chance romances. I love it more if the story looks very challenging and almost impossible in the beginning. I liked this installment because there was more to the plot and the story compared to the first book. There was a real struggle in the characters - Slate on whether he could work on staying away from drugs, and Rayna on whether she could give Slate another chance or not.
If you found the first book to be a bit mediocre, you shouldn't stop reading the series because the payoff in this book is worth it. At this point, I will definitely watch out for Zeke and Lurlene's story, although I doubt I'd love it as much as this one.
August 3, 2015
Favorite Quotes:
“No. You are Superman, but sometimes even Superman needs to be saved.”
“Babe, what you see in my eyes, it’s got nothing to do with me. And why you’re the only one who sees it… Well, that because that glint is nothing more than the reflection of you. You are and always have been that light you speak of in my eyes.”
“Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys they just won’t want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to.”
“I want to be his any and everything. At this moment, all I want is to be his.”
My Review:
Another well-written and thoughtful second chance romance from Kelly Gendron. I am thoroughly enjoying this series, already itching to read the next one, and find myself wishing that the Declan clan consisted of more than 3 brothers. Slate, like all Ms. Gendron’s books, is engrossing, easy to follow, touching, and deliciously steamy. Slate was a quick yet detailed read, which went back and forth in the timeline between the present day and the childhood memories from both main characters’ POV. I like that and find it a creative and efficient method to narrate this heartbreaking and touching story.
“No. You are Superman, but sometimes even Superman needs to be saved.”
“Babe, what you see in my eyes, it’s got nothing to do with me. And why you’re the only one who sees it… Well, that because that glint is nothing more than the reflection of you. You are and always have been that light you speak of in my eyes.”
“Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys they just won’t want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to.”
“I want to be his any and everything. At this moment, all I want is to be his.”
My Review:
Another well-written and thoughtful second chance romance from Kelly Gendron. I am thoroughly enjoying this series, already itching to read the next one, and find myself wishing that the Declan clan consisted of more than 3 brothers. Slate, like all Ms. Gendron’s books, is engrossing, easy to follow, touching, and deliciously steamy. Slate was a quick yet detailed read, which went back and forth in the timeline between the present day and the childhood memories from both main characters’ POV. I like that and find it a creative and efficient method to narrate this heartbreaking and touching story.
August 20, 2015
This book contains two parts in my eyes. The erotic part is very well done and if that would have been the whole book, the star rating would have been 5.
Sadly (in this case) there is a story behind the sex. Don't get me wrong, I liked the flashbacks to the characters' childhood and how they fell in love. Their present is the thing I have a problem with. Rayna isn't consistent in her personality and actions. She wants Slate, she doesn't want him, she wants sex, no she doesn't, yes she does too... She keeps switching from blushing virgin to sex-crazed kitten and back with no reason. And the way Slate's drug addiction was done? She forces him to go cold turkey and three days later he is 'healed'. No cravings anymore, no struggling.... it's a miracle! Apparantly you only need sex while you're in withdrawal (how did he do it?! That didn't make sense to me) and everything is fine.
Still, if you like romance series with changing main characters, this is the book/series for you! The other two novels deal with Slate's brothers.
I was provided via NetGalley with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Sadly (in this case) there is a story behind the sex. Don't get me wrong, I liked the flashbacks to the characters' childhood and how they fell in love. Their present is the thing I have a problem with. Rayna isn't consistent in her personality and actions. She wants Slate, she doesn't want him, she wants sex, no she doesn't, yes she does too... She keeps switching from blushing virgin to sex-crazed kitten and back with no reason. And the way Slate's drug addiction was done? She forces him to go cold turkey and three days later he is 'healed'. No cravings anymore, no struggling.... it's a miracle! Apparantly you only need sex while you're in withdrawal (how did he do it?! That didn't make sense to me) and everything is fine.
Still, if you like romance series with changing main characters, this is the book/series for you! The other two novels deal with Slate's brothers.
I was provided via NetGalley with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
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