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Breaking Free #1

Breaking Free

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Book I of II.

The Hollywood scene has always fit Tennyson Wright like a too-tight sweater. A highly respected director, he has managed to avoid the games and power plays of Tinseltown. Until now. To gain more publicity for the film he's shooting, the studio has decided a PR relationship is in order, and soon Tennyson finds himself pushed into the spotlight with one of the actresses on set. Rich, spoiled, much younger, party princess Sophie Pierce.

Sophie, famous for being infamous, got her part in the film due to her daddy, the studio chairman. But there’s more to her than wild nights and drunken tabloid photos, and she’s aching to prove it. Under Tennyson’s protective wing, she begins to navigate the uncharted territory of responsible adulthood and takes the first steps toward a legitimate, lasting fame based on her talent, not her reputation.

But in order for Sophie to truly soar on her own, she’s going to have to shed every part of her life.

Freedom has a price.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2015

68 people are currently reading
1289 people want to read

About the author

Cara Dee

97 books4,083 followers

I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Kate.
125 reviews303 followers
August 15, 2024
reread

SPOILERS

I always enjoyed reading about celebrities romance books because there arent many of them, so when i found out there is one from this author i immediately jumped at it even thought there isnt any safety information from other reviews, which made me really nervous later, like im-fucking-scared-of-another-page nervous in book 2 because when you read book 1 and loved it, you hope the second one will be as good as the first and author wont mess up. Im glad it didnt happened.



About my rating. I really enjoyed it, im not sure if i should rate book 1 and 2 differently because i read both of them in 5 hours, so for me it was one long book and i had to rate it the same. I think it was more 3.5 stars but i decided to round it up because i just couldnt stop reading and loved it. Of course there were things which i didnt like, mostly in book 2 but i could overlook it.

This is story between Sophie and Tennyson, they are forced pretend relationship for publicity for upcoming movie which Tennyson is directing and where Sophie is playing. It definitely wasnt insta-love kind of story, Sophie was spoiled brat at the beginning and i didnt think that i will like her. But she was changing trought the whole book with help of Tennyson and at the end i adored her, she was sweetheart! I dont want to spoil much because there isnt really any drama and the book ends kind of on cliffy, its nothing terrible, they are just not together anymore.

In the second book they are mostly separated and they are not, its little hard to explain. They continue being friends because they know with all the traveling a relationship wouldnt be the greatest and there is also another reason. I was sometimes little confused with timing, its like few months there and few months here, that at the end i didnt know how long they were actually apart. But i became frustrated after awhile, i wanted hero to go after her and just make her his, he was trying support her and give her freedom but i didnt like it. Everytime he said that he was jealous that she could try to move on soon i wanted to scream at him to do something finally and not just think about it.

What i didnt like was that i actually questioned if they are going to be together at the end, i was in like 60% in the second book and nothing! I had to look at the end to see if i should finish or not, lol.
They got their HEA, and its the sweetest <3
So yep, i was satisfied and overall enjoyed it.

Safety:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews490 followers
August 14, 2015
Sophie Pierce and Tennyson Wright each have some career-saving damage control to do. Sophie is a spoiled starlet with a reputation for spreading her legs and being a diva. Tennyson is a brilliant director who has a reputation for being difficult to work with, intimidating, and a bit of a recluse. In order to help both parties out, the two are forced into a “showmance”. What starts out as a chore for each of them quickly blossoms into something real.

Sophie quickly learns that the reputation she’s been hell bent on attaching to herself isn’t actually doing her any favors. Not only has it earned her the scrutiny and scorn of fans and critics, but it’s left her deeply unhappy and unhealthy. As she begins to embrace the person she really is underneath the façade she’s wrapped around her for so long, a beautiful, genuine, likeable person emerges.

Tennyson finds that not only does he genuinely care for the person that lies underneath all of Sophie’s bullshit, but that she pulls him out of his shell too. They’re good for each other. They care for each other, and they take care of each other.

I’m not going to lie. I was skeptical that Cara Dee was going to be able to sell me on the May-December age difference in this book, but it WORKS. It’s sexy, fierce, intense and hot, while at the same time sweet and adorable and charming.

I ADORED the growth that Sophie experienced. This is a person who was completely unlikeable at the beginning of the book and by the time I hit the last page, I just adored her. She’s so sweet and vulnerable, so willing to please and eager to be accepted. Tennyson is gruff and surly, but fiercely protective of Sophie. Some of their scenes were so tender, I felt like my heart might melt right out my body, and some scenes so hot, I worried my kindle might overheat. Ms. Dee ran my heart through a whole gamut of emotions, but in the end I was left completely delighted and hungry for more! ~ Shelly, 5 stars
Profile Image for Mina.
42 reviews11 followers
June 29, 2015
description

Five words to describe my feelings right now: I. NEED. THE. SEQUEL. NOW.

But let's go back to the beginning, shall we?

Sophie Pierce is the naive, air headed, party actress. Tennyson is the reclusive, serious, hardworking director. In paper, they sound like they could never make a good couple, but behind closed doors, it's a different story.

I'm a sucker for May to December romances, and Cara Dee never disappoints in that department. Tennyson and Sophie's relationship starts as just a showmance for the sake of PR, but as time passes and Tennyson discovers there's more to Sophie than what the tabloids write, the UST kicks up a notch, and soon the attraction it's not just physical but also emotional.

The story is written in third person, alternating point of views in each chapter, so you can see what Tennyson and Sophie think, feel and do. They're both aware their romance isn't going to last, or at least that what they convinced themselves, because damn it all to hell if these two didn't pull at all my heartstrings. The writing made it so easy to connect with the characters. Intense, passionate and heartfelt are the words I would use to describe Tennyson and Sophie. They both have their flaws, but they each make the other a better version of themselves. I loved their interactions and easy banter. I must admit I crushed on Tennyson BIG TIME. And how could I not? He supported Sophie through all her issues and encouraged to better herself, to reach for her goals and to break free of the chains that were binding her to a lifestyle that was slowly killing her. And Sophie, bless her heart, tried so hard! I was so fucking proud of her with each of her achievements. I honestly couldn't get enough of this book, and August cannot come soon enough.

FIVE AWESOME STARS for Cara Dee, and an extra one to grow.

Oh, and I should mention you're gonna fucking hate Peter Pierce and Karen Wright. Those bastards...I swear I'll be first in line to kick their asses with steel toe boots.
Profile Image for Sarah Beth.
85 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! Cara Dee is such a talented author, and this book did not disappoint in the least! In Breaking Fee we find a reclusive movie director and a young starlet forced into (I mean "strongly encouraged to enter") a pretend relationship to help garner publicity for an upcoming movie they are doing together. He is a middle aged, grumpy man set in his ways, and she is a early twenty-something troubled party-girl. What could possibly go wrong? It's all going to be pretend anyway right? Right?


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This book knocked me off my feet. The dialogue is sharp, the characters are well developed, and this is as much a story of self-discovery as it is about finding someone who will love you for who you are (even if you aren't completely sure who that is).

Tennyson, that crazy, stubborn, possessive, dirty talking man!!! Oh, how I fell in love with him. Although he fought his attraction to Sophie for a while, in the end their chemistry, and his protective streak wore him down.... and when he finally snapped, he SNAPPED.

[image error] photo Breaking Free 2_zpscomfyvt0.jpg"

My heart broke for Sophie many times while reading this book, but I think what stood out the most was her stubborn will to finally forge her own path. She grew to be such a strong individual, and went from being a nightmarish diva to a very likable person. That growth takes courage, and she had the nerve to see it through.

This hot and sexy read was amazing, and just in time for summer. You should check it out. I'm absolutely dying for book two!!!!! I neeeeeeeeeed to know what happens.

Profile Image for Kim Stone.
1,549 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2021
This MF romance is written by one of my favourite authors who write both MF and MM. This is the story of Sophia a young actress and Hollywood party girl who has it all but works out it is not what she wanted and Tennyson an older film director. They met on the set of a film and the publicity department push them into a showromance. The romance takes a turn for real. The characters believe it’s the wrong time. Off to read book 2.
Profile Image for Nance.
57 reviews
June 17, 2015
I give it a solid 4.5 stars

I've really enjoyed this one, mind you, I've so far enjoyed everything that Cara writes :). Even the start was somewhat slow, it picked up in pace and actually kinda put you in the moment as you've read. We start out meeting Tennyson, the hermit brilliant director, who mostly lives within his own head and Sophie, I guess the best way to explain her, would be a past Paris Hilton/Lindsey Lohan wanna be/follower/impersonator. We see Sophie fighting to become herself and her struggles to leave behind her awful reputation and make it on her own. During her journey we get a glimpse of what being part of the Hollywood party life is like along with all its multi media backlash is like and how Sophie actually uses it to make herself turn her life around.
During filming, producers and such figure a mature relationship (I guess) could be used to boast both Tennyson & Sophie public image and it is during that time that they obviously fall for each other.
At the end of book 1 we see Tennyson, letting Sophie go in order for her to "grow & live" even though it kills him inside and we see Sophie head out on her own to further herself and become the independent woman that she deserves to be, growing in acting career at the same time.
Loved it and looking forward to reading book 2 for their reunion and what I'm expecting to be some kind of addition/extension to them :)

Go ahead and on click, it is worth the read and your time :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for J.
3,104 reviews50 followers
July 26, 2015
CLIFFHANGER ALERT. A story about a young Hollywood starlet attempting to put her life back together after losing her reputation when she got caught up in the whirlwind that is a Hollywood life. She gets a role in a film with a hardened late-30's director that she hopes will kick start her career. The director is a workaholic, hardened in his own way by life in Hollywood. To generate interest in the film the studio decides to set up a "shomance" (a fake romance between principals in a film) and tell the director and the young starlet to appear in public together hoping the tabloids will generate publicity by thinking there is a romance.

Despite their age difference, the director and the actress find themselves enjoying each other's company and starting a real relationship. And then, a CLIFFHANGER. I hate them, especially when Book #2 isn't published yet and no where did I see that this was Book #1. I have yet to determine if I liked this book enough to want to read #2 when it comes out.

Now that I have posted this review I see very prominently that it is advertised as Book I of II. I don't think that was there when I originally purchased this Book #1. I wouldn't have read it yet if it was.
April 21, 2017
This story was dull and safe. That’s not what I expected from a Cara Dee book. I loved the main and secondary characters but the delivery of the story was just so not Cara Dee. I’ve read almost all of her M/M books, and they are hot as hell. I was so disappointed with this book. Maybe book 2 will better. I hope so.
Profile Image for Tracey Cramer-Kelly.
Author 49 books342 followers
September 6, 2022
I must have missed the fact that this is book 1 of 2 about this couple. I was still hoping for a happily-for-now even as I got toward 80%, but fair warning, it does not end happy (although ostensibly with Sophie starting to ‘grow up’ and get out of her father’s influence and be her own person). I do like famous/celebrity romance themes and also like age-gap romance, but this age gap (17 years, and Sophie only 21 yo) was not as much to my liking, mostly because of Sophie’s super-young age. Tennyson did interest me (perhaps because I’m closer to his age than Sophie’s) but he did not change as much as Sophie. It was fairly well written, although a bit heavy on the telling rather than showing as far as emotions go. The complication at the end to ‘hook’ you into the next book is almost enough to make me want to buy it.
Profile Image for cher.
123 reviews114 followers
April 6, 2023
3.75 stars !! this book got me out of my reading slump so i appreciate it.
Profile Image for Samantha.
1,602 reviews30 followers
June 14, 2024
Another book to prove that Cara can do no wrong.

I've read Noah a couple of times so I knew I needed to finally read Sophie and Tennyson's story. I like this series with filmmakers and others in the industry. It's a nice change from some of the other settings Cara writes about.

With this book, we see Sophie have quite a transformation. She goes from a party girl to someone who understands she needs to get her life in order. The evolution did seem to happen pretty much overnight which isn't very realistic, but otherwise I was happy to get past her acting like a brat. Thankfully, Tennyson noticed her changes and his attitude towards her changed pretty quickly.

This first book in the duet focuses on their fling while shooting the film that Sophie is an actress and Tennyson is a director of. Both of them know that once the filming has wrapped they will need to go their separate ways, but of course both catch feelings. They may have broken up, but with those last few pages, it's obvious that their story hasn't finished.

I'm off to read part 2 and see how this all plays out.
Profile Image for Hilda.
1,321 reviews290 followers
June 24, 2015
I can't wait for August!! I'm in love with these characters and I NEED part two NOW!

There's a lot of heartbreak and love. This fake relationship was just what Tennyson and Sophia needed. It was an unconventional way of meeting, but these two helped each other grow into better people. They were almost perfect and if only they would have been honest about their love the heartache wouldn't have come. I'm convinced these two would have taken on the world. They were perfect for each other, not a perfect person, and maybe that is the lesson they need to learn. The word perfect was thrown around a lot and sometimes people suck! I can't wait to read part two!!!! I'm seriously starting a countdown now.
Profile Image for Renée.
1,175 reviews413 followers
July 10, 2016
3.5 stars

Annoying heroine in the beginning, but she started coming around. Cliffhanger ending that I already knew about. Kept me interested enough to read Book 2.
Profile Image for AlphaMale .
332 reviews11 followers
December 15, 2016
i really thought this book was going to be as wonderful as the touch series. The story and characters has so much potential, but i was very disappointed it was just blaaaahhhh an ok read .
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews131 followers
Want to read
November 26, 2024
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (8/9/2022)! 🎁
382 reviews14 followers
May 16, 2018
There are so many aspects to why I loved this book. I know I'm a fan of Cara Dee but she really exceeds expectations so very often. This is one of those cases.

First, let me say how brave Cara Dee is for tackling body image issues and bullying, especially in a romance novel. It is an important topic that is rarely talked about outside of self-help or psychology books. Second, I love the attention she gave to a dog rescue organization. These are important issues and I appreciate that the author can weave them flawlessly into the story, it never feels forced or out of place.

Sophie broke my heart. Cara Dee excels at character development and this was one of her best yet. The author truly made Sophie real with all the flaws, strengths and complexities of a person. Most importantly, when I read I look to see if I can connect with a character. That was more than possible in this case because Sophie wasn't a one-dimensional character. Cara Dee showed Sophie's journey and I felt as if I was with her each step of the way.

Tennyson had some strong character development as well. With him I could really feel the tension. The push/pull that I look for between main characters in a romance novel that is sometimes lacking. Not in this case. Cara Dee knocks it out of the park.

Speaking of character development, Cara Dee makes sure to add depth to secondary characters as well. There truly are no one-dimensional characters in her book. Daniel was by far one of my favorite characters in this book.

Her world building continues to astound me as well. The overall storyline is full of everything I could want. The tension, the intensity and overall development. I'm glad the author broke it into two parts because I wanted even more and this gave a chance to really explore everything that went on. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go.

5 stars for riveting characters and an engaging storyline!

Profile Image for SJ Meares.
Author 3 books15 followers
June 28, 2022
3.75⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed this story but I felt there was a slight emotional disconnect between the MCs from time to time. I did enjoy the overall plot and style, even though I generally prefer first person POV. This was good and not overly taxing on the emotions, and I frequently wished I could hug Sophia. That girl was just overwhelmed with all kinds of things and too sweet.

I liked the ending and the epilogue made me really want to read book 2 which I'll be starting soon. Thus book does NOT have an HEA or HFN but I feel there's a good one coming their way so I'm sticking around.
Profile Image for Soda.
385 reviews
March 3, 2023
Hairy chests and beards work for me too Sophie!

I love age gap romances - and this one certainly gets a tick in my book!

It’s been a long while since I’ve read a MF romance, usually I stick with MM, but I thought, ‘hey, this is Cara Dee, she can’t write a bad story..’ so I decided to give it a go!

I’m glad I did, the story was great, Tennyson and Sophie were both interesting characters who were realising that there were things about themselves that needed to change.

I’m looking forward to the rest of their journey.. off to read part two now!!!
Profile Image for Noe.
593 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2023
Como echaba de menos leer a Cara Dee. Me encantó este libro, la verdad. Es precioso. Me encantó que adoptara un perro, también tengo que decirlo. No sé, es perfección pura, me encanta leer a esta mujer, tiene un algo que me deja sin aliento y me hace sentir calentita. Sabía que este libro no terminaría con el felices para siempre, por algo tiene la segunda parte, pero dios, me dolió mucho. La madre de Tennyson fue una completa perra con ese comentario de mierda, la verdad, pero bueno, a ver qué dice en el siguiente.
Profile Image for Kelli.
128 reviews10 followers
September 4, 2021
(✯ᴗ✯)

This was such a sweet romance!!
In the beginning I really didn't care Tennyson's character which left me honestly surprised. I normally never side with the female character in books, but the second Sophie came onto the page I wanted to bundle her up and keep her from everyone. Throughout the story I loved watching her grow as a person and find herself, and I especially loved seeing Tennyson go from an ass to someone likable.
Can't wait to get started on the second book.
Profile Image for Jessica (jpbooklife).
1,000 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2024
This one started off a little slow for me, but once it picked up I was hooked. I loved the transformation that Sophie goes thru in this book. I wish they were a little more honest with each other about their thoughts, feelings, and what someone's mother might have said. But I loved seeing them come together and fall apart. I'm jumping right into the next book.
Profile Image for Lo.
288 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2024
This is my first Cara Dee M/F romance. Very tame compared to what I've previously read, definitely Not as steamy or taboo as her M/M romances. It really started to pick up in the last third, so naturally I gotta go on with book 2.
Profile Image for Mette.
210 reviews5 followers
September 24, 2018
This is part one of two books. I just finished, and I need book two as soon as possible. I can not deal with this cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Bin Blogs Books.
417 reviews22 followers
January 5, 2023
Sweet but Hot 🔥

A young party princess looking to revamp her image meets an older reclusive director. Moments of both sweet romance and passionate embracing. Great short read.
Profile Image for Soe.
393 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2023
3.5
libro corto ideal para salir de un bloqueo .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews

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