From the author of Just This Night— There’s a chance of a heat wave for the crew at News 9 San Diego...
Asher Anderson is an amazing surfer—with a body to match—but he’s pretty much the world’s worst weatherman. He’d prefer to catch the perfect swells in the morning so he tapes his forecasts in advance—it never rains much in San Diego anyway. The suits at News 9, however, would love to fire him, but since he’s the son of the station owner, they’ll just have to get creative...
Piper Strong thinks she’s scored her dream job when she’s promoted to weather producer. Glorified babysitter is more like it—she’s now responsible for bringing Asher back to shore. The problem is she’s afraid of the water, and she wasn’t counting on her growing attraction to Asher. But if Piper can just weather this storm, she'll be able to carve out a career to be proud of—and maybe even a place in her heart for love....
Mari Madison is a multiple Emmy Award-winning television news producer and author of novels for adults and teens. She's worked at television news stations in Boston, San Diego, and Orlando and helped launch the nationally syndicated morning show Better in New York City. Under the name Mari Mancusi, she writes young adult books, including the Blood Coven Vampire novels, the Scorched series, and Gamer Girl. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, young daughter and their two dogs.
I remember reading my first Mari Madison book (which also happened to be the first book in this series), and being surprised by how much depth and heart it had. I don’t know what it was about these books that had me expecting some sort of light, fluffy, throw-away romance, but that is not what they deliver, at all. Break of Day was engaging, heartwarming, and so full of heart—my own heart isn’t sure how to manage all these feelings.
Asher Anderson is an unlikely hero, but dig a little past the surface and you’ll find a heart of pure gold. Appearances can be deceiving, and as Asher’s story unfolded, I found myself falling hopelessly in love with him. He’s funny and cocky, with a roguishly handsome, devil-may-care attitude. He’s also earnest and attentive and unexpectedly vulnerable. He’s so brilliantly layered and…ugh, adorable, I never even stood a chance. Asher was completely irresistible to me.
And Piper? She’s my favorite kind of heroine. Strong and plucky, with an enormous heart. Her story was heartbreaking, and I felt like Ms. Madison did an amazing job of highlighting how Piper didn’t let her past define her, while also acknowledging that her past still left indelible marks on her—regardless of how hard she’s worked to move on from it. Watching her warm to Asher, watching them heal each other, help each other, and hold each other through their stories was such a beautiful, tender, wonderful thing. They’re perfect together and I was completely swept away by them.
The conflict(s) were hard to read—there are some hateful characters here, some true villains, but the reward is huge. The ending completely won me over—the secondary relationships just as emotional as the romance between Piper and Asher. It all played out perfectly for me, and I’m left with a full heart and a giant smile on my face.
This series is such a diamond in the rough; it’s so much bigger and better than I expected. I’m so glad I took a chance on Just This Night initially, and I loved Break of Day even more. The writing is smart and engaging, the characters wholly lovable, and now I am so completely invested and excited for more from this fantastically addictive series! ~ Shelly, 5 stars
Break of Day by Mari Madison is a fun, and sometimes funny, contemporary romance. It is the second book in a series, but each book is a standalone read with some character cross-over.
I enjoyed the story premise of Break of Day. The characters work at that same San Diego, California news station. The "office" interactions are believable. The entire story has a nice, natural flow, and Ms. Madison's sense of humor shines through in her delightful phraseology. I enjoyed her writing style, and I'll definitely be reading more of her novels.
Break of Day is told in a dual POV by main characters Piper Strong and Asher Anderson. Ms. Madison's choice of character name for her heroine is particularly clever. Piper Strong is a very strong character. Piper has had a horrific childhood, but that only makes her work harder to get ahead and use whatever success she gets to help children in need at a local group home, Holloway House. She may still feel the impact of her childhood but she doesn't use that as an excuse for anything (except her one phobia). In contrast to Piper, Asher Anderson was seemingly raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. The son of the station owner, it appears that he is a golden boy with a cushy life handed to him on a platter. While he has had it easier than most, his lifestyle has strings attached. He is under his mother's thumb when it comes to ALL of his life choices.
I loved Piper and Asher as coworkers and as a couple. I really appreciated the organic progression of their relationship. The eventually addition of an intimate scene didn't add to the story, and in my opinion could have been left out entirely. Break of Day is a low-angst read. It is a sweet and heart warming story about moving on, helping others, and fulfilling your dreams and goals.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which was done in conjunction with The Book Nuts Reviews.
Review of BREAK OF DAY by MARI MADISON ***** 5 Stars ***** more accurate!
This review was done on behalf of The Book Nuts Reviewers.
This is the story of Piper Strong and Asher Anderson. Piper is working her way up the ranks at San Diego's News 9, struggling to make a name for herself and achieve the goals she's set for herself.
Asher Anderson, News 9's golden boy weather man and son of the Legendary weatherman Stormy Anderson is just cruising through life. Lacking in any kind if responsibility because, after all, when your mother owns the station and you have inherited your fathers legacy, why worry about responsibility.
When their meeting at their mutual friends wedding is interrupted by Piper's anxiety attack during the beach ceremony, Asher is intrigued by this beguiling woman who seems to be do much more than she shows the world.
Piper introduces Asher to her world, far removed from his privileged upbringing, where she devotes her home to children at risk, living in a group home called The Holloway House.
Their relationship deals with so many secrets, with each sharing a scarred past and each needing the other to reinforce their resolve to live their best life.
Such a beautiful story, dealing with addiction, self respect and love unconditional.
I would highly recommend this book for any romance reader, looking for a HEA.
This is 2nd in the series but can be read as a standalone. You'll remember Piper from Just This Night. She meets Asher at Elizabeth's wedding. Asher is used to getting whatever he wants, being station 9's golden boy/anchorman but something about Piper make him want to be a better man so he gets her a better job at the station, as his producer. She grudgingly accepts. He's a playboy and a flirt. She plays it safe so taking this job is a risk for her. They both come from different worlds and end up learning from each other, and surprisingly they also have similar upbringings. This brings them closer together but the problem is that they will have obstacles in their way. But they will not be denied. Watch what happens when they both take risks. You'll enjoy reading it as much as I did
Piper meets Asher Anderson when she freaks out at her best friends wedding when a wave touched her foot. Piper is terrified of water since her little brother drowned but Asher sees it and clams her down. Piper works at the news station with him but he never saw her before and when he sees her at the wedding he is trying to get a date. Piper gets promoted at the station to be Asher's producer and she tells him that they can only be friends because she doesn't want to lose her job. Asher and Piper carry a lot of others peoples guilt and it causes them to make some dumb decisions, but they compliment each because underneath it all they have the same struggles. I really enjoyed how Asher seemed to change as the story went along and you got to see the real man he was. Just loved how real the story was. Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Decent contemporary romance. It didn't have the same zing as book 1. I'm not a fan of 1st person. Both main characters are told from the first person point of view and there really wasn't any difference between Piper and Asher. A few times I had to go back to remind myself who was talking. He also came across a bit too domineering....treating her like an object instead of a person.
This is the next story set at News 9 in San Diego. When I first meet Piper and Asher, I didn't see how they could work together, but somehow they fit. They both have family issues that they need to overcome and they don't let many people really get to know them. Even though they come from different worlds socially and financially, they are able to help each other.
Break of Day by Mari Madison is the 2nd book in her Exclusive Romance series. Having read the first book in this series, Just This Night, I wasn’t sure how this book would continue with the TV News background theme. Gladly, I loved Break of Day and the wonderful characters Mari Madison has created.
Piper Strong is our heroine, and a good friend of Beth (our previous heroine). Piper is counting on a promotion at News 9 to give her career a boost, and is devastated when someone less deserving is given the promotion. Piper also has a phobia of the ocean, and at Beth’s wedding on the beach with the ocean so close, it will be Asher Anderson, who will come to her rescue. Asher is our hero, and the News 9 weatherman. Asher is also the playboy son of the TV station’s owner. Asher finds himself attracted to Piper, not to mention curious as to why she has a fear of the ocean, since he is a surfer. Piper tries to stay clear of Asher, as his reputation precedes itself. Asher learns about Piper losing the job she counted on and the following day, she is called to the producer’s office with a promotion to be a producer for the weather, and writing scripts for Asher.
What follows is a friendship that will turn into a sweet romance. It was a slow build romance, since each of them had their own issues. Asher’s mom is demanding and wants him to be with a high society girl, and will stop at nothing to ensure Asher does not become serious with Piper. Piper comes from a poor family, with a mother who is a drug addict, not to mention uses her daughter for money. Despite each of their issues and different backgrounds, both Asher and Piper find themselves falling in love, with each willing to do whatever is necessary to help the other, even if it means pulling away.
Besides this sweet fun romance, the story was very well written by Madison, with a number of different and interesting subjects. Piper worked off hours helping homeless children, especially a young troubled boy. Asher, having met the children, will train the boy how to surf, which leads to something that he enjoys as a possible change to the better for his future. Piper’s phobia of the Ocean; Asher’s mother; and Piper’s mother are also subjects that make this story fun to read. Most of all, I loved Asher and Piper together, as they were a wonderful couple. If you enjoy a sweet romance, great couple, TV News theme, and family turmoil, than I suggest you read Break of Day.
My first Mari Madison book was Just This Night, the first book in the Exclusive Romance series and I really enjoyed it! I remember being so anxious for the next book because I had liked it so much, so I was really excited to read Break of Day. This is the second in the series, but each book is a standalone story though they are connected. Don't worry about starting here if you haven't read the first, but I definitely recommend both. Break of Day was as good as the first one was, and I think readers are going to really enjoy this one as much as I did.
Asher Anderson is the spoiled rich boy who had everything handed to him, and while his father owns the news station he works for Asher would rather be out surfing. Piper Strong's dream job quickly becomes a nightmare when she realizes that she was hired to be Asher's babysitter and to help try and get him to do what the suits at the station want him to do. Though Piper intends to do whatever it takes to turn her job into the career she has dreamed of, she never expected the growing attraction she feels to Asher.
While this trope has been done so many times before, I really liked the characters. There was more to Asher than you see at first glance, and Piper was great as well. These two had a lot of chemistry and I enjoyed seeing their interactions and how things progressed between them. As we got to know them each better, they had more in common that you first think and I liked that they were able to connect because of that. These characters felt real and genuine, and I loved the depth that Mari Madison was able to show with each of them.
Overall, I am really enjoying this series. The stories are light and are great summer reads by the pool or at the beach, yet they also have emotion and depth and aren't flat or filled with fluff. I really like Mari's writing style, and I have had a great time reading both of these books. The pacing is great and once I start I don't want to put them down. While I would say that the first in the series is still my favorite so far, I really liked this book and I am already looking forward to the next one. If you are a fan of contemporary romance, I would recommend giving this series a shot.
As romances go, this one was cute, light-hearted fun. The characters had great chemistry and their office romance was one that could happen to anyone in any similar setting. The author is a talented writer, with the ability to paint a beautiful setting with a smart, charming premise.
I truly enjoyed this book, and can’t wait to read more from Ms. Madison!
***I read and reviewed a paperback copy of the book gifted to the blog, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
Break of Day started off great. The characters were intriguing. The story is based off the 9 News weatherman, Asher Anderson, and producer, Piper Strong. Asher was the golden boy of the weather family, following in his father’s footsteps. Where Piper, was determined, career oriented woman, working her hardest to get the job she deserves.
Their opening scene was funny and cute. As a reader, you fell in love with Asher from the start. Then there was Piper. You wanted to know what her deal was. Why was she scared of the water? Well, it was quickly explained why.
In the beginning, the story flowed fairly fast but then toward the end it really piddled out. Poor Asher, he literally did everything in his power to show he was not the guy that Piper thought he was. He truly was interested in Piper. Well, Piper being simply all about herself, thought he was trying to get into her pants and that is why she was promoted to his producer. Seriously……this girl was full of herself.
Honestly, Piper drove me absolutely crazy. I get it, she has a troubled past. It was all about, “Look at me. I have done this and this. You ruined my career. You are selfish. Blah, blah, blah.” Really? This girl was so blind to everything Asher did for her. He truly cared for her and she was too worried about herself, yet she loved him. What???
Then Asher, man up and be a man. In this novel, you can tell it is a female writing a male character. The things he said, I would never imagine hearing another man talking like that. It was so a woman in a man’s body. Then to be absolutely in love with a woman, who clearly did not put the effort into their relationship and he put up with it, was so unrealistic. Overall, the story started off strong but slowly faded away, to the point I was flipping pages. Mari Madison, you write really well but I feel this story could have been better.
A contemporary romance with a happy ending. Isn't that the ultimate requirement? Yes, this story delivers that and so much more. Written in first person, alternating between the hero and heroine.
I didn't like heroine at first. Rampant emotions and screaming at work. It's just not done. This story is filled with angst about jobs, careers, family, secrets, blackmail, and political maneuverings. I did like the hero a lot. While he has a bit to learn in this story, he is always well meaning and sensitive to others. He only wants the best for the heroine even if he mangles the delivery a bit. That's okay, because we know his heart. And in the end, he's a good man.
This is the second in Mari Madison's Exclusive Romance series. Having not read the first - I can say that it works well as a stand alone. In this installment she brings us the Piper's story.
Piper is a strong woman - she has been through alot in her young life but she is making it one day at a time. When she is thrown back in her career not getting a promotion that she was thought was hers. Life opens a window and the adventure begins.
Asher Anderson - local weatherman and local celebrity, meets Piper at their friend's wedding. He finds her attractive and can't seem to get her out of his mind. He arranges for her to become his assistant. His mother and the station have been hounding him to find someone to get him together. He would rather be surfing then spending time predicting the weather.
What starts out as a friendship, slowly turns into romance. They both of family issues. Ms. Madison deals with some very sensitive issues - like drug addiction, homelessness, and death with ease and grace. Asher and Piper come from different social/financial backgrounds, but they still find themselves falling in love. Will they find forever with one another or will they step away to help the other become all that they can be? Sit down, cuddle up, and start turning the pages. If you are in the market for a lovely contemporary romance Break of Day is well worth the time.
It was LOVE at first chapter! My second book by Mari and I loved it even more than the first! So far she is 2 for 2. In the spring I reviewed Just This Night and loved it. I was wondering if I would be disappointed in the second one - so glad that did not happen! I know this is a "romance" but... really it is so much more. It is not just a shallow all about the love and sex type book. This book touches on subjects like - substance abuse, poverty, a home for children, feeling responsible for the death of your sibling, and wanting to better yourself and break away from your family. Wow, a romance with depth! That's a "novel" idea.
Loved the characters in this one! I absolutely loved both Piper and Asher. The character development was excellent. This was one story where you were really rooting for them to get together. I thought Asher was so sweet to her. I could understand why she was hesitant and afraid, but I just wanted her to give him a chance.
This story was so sweet, interesting, and fun. I think this is going to be one of my favorite romance series. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series "At First Light" coming out in spring of 2017.
Thank you "Berkley Romance" for sending me this book for my honest review!
This was closer to 3.5 stars, but it just didn't appeal to me as much as Book 1. We are back at News 9. Book 2 picks up the story with the focus on Asher Anderson, meteorologist extraordinaire (at least as far as the ladies are concerned) and Piper Strong, production assistant soon-to-be weather producer. Asher would prefer to be on the beach and surfing, but Piper won't let him shirk his weather duties.
She's a novice in this new job role, but determined to do a good job even if it starts off feeling like more babysitting than producing. Asher can't seem to remember they are just supposed to be co-workers. The chemistry is definitely there and soon neither of them can deny themselves any longer.
I think for me - the drama and conflict just didn't seem real. And as in the first book - everything wrapped up a little too neat and tidy after dealing with such angst through much of the book. And Piper was a little too unfeeling after all the things Asher did to assist her with her ocean phobia - give the guy a break!!
This is an interesting series, but each time - I've wanted more. And this one just didn't quite make the cut.
A girl who came from nothing and a guy who has had everything handed to him.
Piper comes from a troubling past. Losing her little brother at the age of six, dealing with her mother's addictions, and being shuffled from foster home to foster home has made her determined to make it. She wants to be a journalist, but she wants it on her terms. When TV station royalty, Asher Anderson, picks Piper to be his new segment producer, she immediately questions his reasoning.
This book pretty much followed the rich boy/poor girl trope. But I did like how Asher wasn't just a party boy who needed to be tamed. His actions had reasons and he actually had a depth to him that the author explored and it made him more human, more attainable. Maybe not to Piper, however, who tried every angle to not be with Asher.
Was it predictable? Yes. But it's kind of hard to find romance novels that don't have a predictable outcome. This was a cute, light summer read. Perfect for the beach - especially since the location is in San Diego (one of my favorite places).
I unknowingly picked this book up at my library not realizing it was the second in the series. I am about to start the first book. (I always tend to do things backwards.) Anyways, "break of day" is such a great beach read. I mean it would be a good book anywhere but sitting on the beach reading about Asher and Piper being on the beach, just made it that much better. Asher and Piper became my friends. I am sad to leave them but excited to go back and read about Beth and Mac. For anyone who reads to escape...reads for sappy romances...or just reads for the enjoyment of reading...this book is for you.
Another fun read by Mari Madison! I really enjoyed Just One Night and loved Break of Day. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys loves stories with a humorous voice.
The second in this series, I was excited to read this book and can't wait for the third! Asher is perceived as a spoiled weatherman who just got the job because his family owns the station. Piper starts working at the station as a weather producer and sparks fly. Add Jayden a foster child and you have a heart squeezing romance.