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Practice Perfect #3
Clean Breaks
Sarah Soon may have recovered from cancer—in body—but her brush with mortality has left the usually confident OB/GYN shaken about her future and herself. When she unexpectedly runs into Jake Li, her brother’s annoying high school BFF who betrayed her trust, he’s the last person she wants to see. She doesn’t need the now-disturbingly hot social worker hanging around while she sorts herself out, yet suddenly he’s inescapable.
Everyone’s telling the newly divorced Jake that he shouldn’t be looking for a serious relationship already, but he’s always been helplessly drawn to Sarah’s vivaciousness. Can he show her that he’s all grown up now and worthy of her trust and a second chance?
Or will they make a clean break once and for all?
Everyone’s telling the newly divorced Jake that he shouldn’t be looking for a serious relationship already, but he’s always been helplessly drawn to Sarah’s vivaciousness. Can he show her that he’s all grown up now and worthy of her trust and a second chance?
Or will they make a clean break once and for all?
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2017
25 people are currently reading
768 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Lang
32 books216 followersRuby Lang is pint-sized, prim, and bespectacled. Her alter ego, essayist Mindy Hung, has written for The New York Times, The Toast, and Salon, among others. She enjoys running (slowly), reading (quickly), and ice cream (at any speed). She lives in New York with a small child and a medium-sized husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 8, 2017
3.5 stars
I downloaded this on a whim.
I liked Sarah well enough. She's smart and driven and is {rightfully so} going through a crisis of sorts. And yet, I didn't feel connected to her to completely root for her. I loved Jake. He's well mannered and stands up for himself and others. I wanted things to work out because I wanted him happy.
There was a lot of backstory, but it didn't feel fleshed out. I only got a vague sense of why everyone was angry -- or perhaps the explanation given seemed small for a 15+ year hatred. At times there was a lot of drama, but some of the scenes smoothed into sweet moments.
Overall, it was a quick read with enjoyable characters and a satisfying ending.
**Hugs thanks to Crimson Romance and Edelweiss for providing the arc free of charge**
I downloaded this on a whim.
I liked Sarah well enough. She's smart and driven and is {rightfully so} going through a crisis of sorts. And yet, I didn't feel connected to her to completely root for her. I loved Jake. He's well mannered and stands up for himself and others. I wanted things to work out because I wanted him happy.
There was a lot of backstory, but it didn't feel fleshed out. I only got a vague sense of why everyone was angry -- or perhaps the explanation given seemed small for a 15+ year hatred. At times there was a lot of drama, but some of the scenes smoothed into sweet moments.
Overall, it was a quick read with enjoyable characters and a satisfying ending.
**Hugs thanks to Crimson Romance and Edelweiss for providing the arc free of charge**
February 23, 2017
I'm a huge fan of Ruby Lang - her characters are smart and flawed and her friendships come across very real. I think I've mentioned this in previous reviews, but the girl friendships in this book are not all cupcakes and wine. They challenge each other, and have attitudes and reflect what I feel like is a true friendship.
All that being said, this is the first time I'm going to give this author less than four stars. For me this was a 3.5 star read, which is still good! I just didn't connect with it as much as her first two.
Sarah Soon and Jake Li grew up together and went to the same school. Sarah's parents are from China and Jake's parents are from Taiwan, and they went to a predominantly white school. Maybe because of that, and because their families know each other, Sarah and Jake were friends somewhat in school. However, when Sarah is slut-shamed in high school for being caught with a boy with her shirt off, Jake doesn't stand up for her. The community doesn't' stand up for her, and this betrayal never leaves Sarah. Now as an adult, she is a OB/GYN, mostly estranged from her parents but has found great friendships in the three other women who are part of her medical practice. Her life was in order, and going exactly as planned, until she was diagnosed with stage two skin cancer. Although she is currently cancer free, that diagnosis rocked her world. She has always exercised, eaten healthy and gotten lots of sleep. Cancer was not something that was supposed to happen to her. But she is slowly realizing that some things in her life are uncontrollable - like her feelings that flare up when Jake comes back into her life.
Jake is recently divorced. Marrying young, his wife fell in love with someone else, but was very open and honest about it. Yay? Jake is now lonely, working as a social worker at a high school. He starts his life over by moving to the same town Sarah lives and starts to run into her. Jake has always been very fond of Sarah, even though they have a somewhat messy past. Jake pursues and courts Sarah, but Sarah feels like her life is in chaos and isn't sure she is ready for everything Jake has to offer.
This explores much more than just a relationship between Jake and Sarah. It explores race, rocky relationships with parents, health crisis, and friends getting married. But all of this swirls around their relationship, as it would in the real world. Jake and Sarah have known each other for a long time, so their courtship isn't so much learning about the other, but more about how they see the future. Sarah's world has been turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, and even though she is in the clear, her brain just won't move forward. She should be getting back to work, and should be excited about a new romance in her life, but she is stuck and it really upsets her. She lashes out to the people around her. I found Sarah very complex, but also hard to connect with. On paper, yes she has every right to be angry at the world for what she has been through. But sometimes her negative attitude and her negative actions made me sit back in my chair and grimace. Honestly, I found her difficult to like at times. She holds onto grudges and has such bitterness towards her parents - I wanted to understand that better. She is very frank and blunt and for me there is a fine line between coming across as honest and coming across as rude.
I didn't dislike her entirely! There are some very witty scenes in this book, and the romance unfolds at a nice pace. Jake is a more easy-going guy, dealing with his own parental issues and finding his way in his new life after his divorce. His courtship of Sarah is sweet. Plus he has a beard and really sexy forearms so I swooned over him for most of the book.
I like this author's voice and I really look forward to every book she writes. I hope you guys check out this series - the first two especially are fabulous.
Grade: B-
All that being said, this is the first time I'm going to give this author less than four stars. For me this was a 3.5 star read, which is still good! I just didn't connect with it as much as her first two.
Sarah Soon and Jake Li grew up together and went to the same school. Sarah's parents are from China and Jake's parents are from Taiwan, and they went to a predominantly white school. Maybe because of that, and because their families know each other, Sarah and Jake were friends somewhat in school. However, when Sarah is slut-shamed in high school for being caught with a boy with her shirt off, Jake doesn't stand up for her. The community doesn't' stand up for her, and this betrayal never leaves Sarah. Now as an adult, she is a OB/GYN, mostly estranged from her parents but has found great friendships in the three other women who are part of her medical practice. Her life was in order, and going exactly as planned, until she was diagnosed with stage two skin cancer. Although she is currently cancer free, that diagnosis rocked her world. She has always exercised, eaten healthy and gotten lots of sleep. Cancer was not something that was supposed to happen to her. But she is slowly realizing that some things in her life are uncontrollable - like her feelings that flare up when Jake comes back into her life.
Jake is recently divorced. Marrying young, his wife fell in love with someone else, but was very open and honest about it. Yay? Jake is now lonely, working as a social worker at a high school. He starts his life over by moving to the same town Sarah lives and starts to run into her. Jake has always been very fond of Sarah, even though they have a somewhat messy past. Jake pursues and courts Sarah, but Sarah feels like her life is in chaos and isn't sure she is ready for everything Jake has to offer.
This explores much more than just a relationship between Jake and Sarah. It explores race, rocky relationships with parents, health crisis, and friends getting married. But all of this swirls around their relationship, as it would in the real world. Jake and Sarah have known each other for a long time, so their courtship isn't so much learning about the other, but more about how they see the future. Sarah's world has been turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, and even though she is in the clear, her brain just won't move forward. She should be getting back to work, and should be excited about a new romance in her life, but she is stuck and it really upsets her. She lashes out to the people around her. I found Sarah very complex, but also hard to connect with. On paper, yes she has every right to be angry at the world for what she has been through. But sometimes her negative attitude and her negative actions made me sit back in my chair and grimace. Honestly, I found her difficult to like at times. She holds onto grudges and has such bitterness towards her parents - I wanted to understand that better. She is very frank and blunt and for me there is a fine line between coming across as honest and coming across as rude.
I didn't dislike her entirely! There are some very witty scenes in this book, and the romance unfolds at a nice pace. Jake is a more easy-going guy, dealing with his own parental issues and finding his way in his new life after his divorce. His courtship of Sarah is sweet. Plus he has a beard and really sexy forearms so I swooned over him for most of the book.
I like this author's voice and I really look forward to every book she writes. I hope you guys check out this series - the first two especially are fabulous.
Grade: B-
December 13, 2020
I thought hard about rating this one because I loved it but it’s not perfect. So this is really a 4.5-ish stars rounded up because I’m like that.
Clean Breaks has a lot of wonderful things in it. The heroine is the angry/prickly/emotionally constipated one and the hero is the one who drinks too much champagne at a wedding and gets all sappy. There’s a lot of self-reflection and emotional growth on all the characters’ parts. I love the way Lang handles the MCs’ relationships with their families—there’s no quick fix, no magically healing forgiveness. Just the acknowledgment that our families are exactly as horrible and not actually the worst, surprisingly, maybe?
Of course, the main event is the evolution of the MCs’ relationship with each other. These are childhood not-exactly-friends to lovers, each coming off a significant life event. The hero just got divorced and the heroine is recovering from cancer (not a spoiler, this is revealed in the first chapter or two). The way Lang highlights that confusion and thrill of reconnecting with someone who knew past you—the expectations you have of each other based on who you were then—and the defiance and excitement of showing how you’ve changed and realizing they have, too—it’s beautiful. Plus, the consent in the sex scenes is A++ and is an example of how yes, duh, consent is TOTALLY sexy.
The ending felt a bit strange to me. Like the last couple chapters either needed some tweaking or to be taken out, because they didn’t feel so necessary. I would also have loved to see two highly competent professionals consider going to therapy, but then I’m not sure there’s a person (fictional or otherwise) I wouldn’t say that about.
I think Lang is a terrific writer and this book is well worth your time. I read it in one sitting.
CWs listed on author website: on-page sex; cancer; discussion of birth control, pregnancy and termination; difficult family relationships; pet illness; car accident
Clean Breaks has a lot of wonderful things in it. The heroine is the angry/prickly/emotionally constipated one and the hero is the one who drinks too much champagne at a wedding and gets all sappy. There’s a lot of self-reflection and emotional growth on all the characters’ parts. I love the way Lang handles the MCs’ relationships with their families—there’s no quick fix, no magically healing forgiveness. Just the acknowledgment that our families are exactly as horrible and not actually the worst, surprisingly, maybe?
Of course, the main event is the evolution of the MCs’ relationship with each other. These are childhood not-exactly-friends to lovers, each coming off a significant life event. The hero just got divorced and the heroine is recovering from cancer (not a spoiler, this is revealed in the first chapter or two). The way Lang highlights that confusion and thrill of reconnecting with someone who knew past you—the expectations you have of each other based on who you were then—and the defiance and excitement of showing how you’ve changed and realizing they have, too—it’s beautiful. Plus, the consent in the sex scenes is A++ and is an example of how yes, duh, consent is TOTALLY sexy.
The ending felt a bit strange to me. Like the last couple chapters either needed some tweaking or to be taken out, because they didn’t feel so necessary. I would also have loved to see two highly competent professionals consider going to therapy, but then I’m not sure there’s a person (fictional or otherwise) I wouldn’t say that about.
I think Lang is a terrific writer and this book is well worth your time. I read it in one sitting.
CWs listed on author website: on-page sex; cancer; discussion of birth control, pregnancy and termination; difficult family relationships; pet illness; car accident
January 1, 2018
I'm an emotional mess right now. I'm dying with giddiness.
August 15, 2024
Disappointing read. Storyline felt unengaging and lacking in depth and development to keep my interest. Female protagonist was particularly unlikeable and hard work, coming across as unconvincing and flat. The writing itself was underwhelming, filled with clunky dialogue which was hard to keep up with and a lack of emotional resonance. Overall, the book failed to deliver and left me feeling unsatisfied and wasted my time. Will be avoiding the other two in the series.
November 12, 2017
I bought this on a whim because I was in the mood for a good, satisfying romance and I'm so glad this book delivered. I thought it had a very realistic portrayal of what it means to have complicated relationships within an immigrant family and the larger immigrant community and how that can wreck many interpersonal relationships as an adult. At the same time, the fact that so much of this book was about forthright communication, not only between romantic partners but also family members and friends, was really refreshing and enjoyable to me. I loved that Sarah and Jake were allowed to be flawed yet compelling characters who bring more happiness and fulfillment to each other's lives.
March 17, 2017
ARC from Netgalley
Dr. Sarah Soon, "maker of lists, taker of names, kicker of asses," has just finished being treated for Stage 2 Melanoma. Before her illness, Sarah was a hard-driving, take-charge, always-in-control kind of gal. But since her cancer diagnosis, she's been strangely unmotivated and lethargic, unable to bring herself to return to the OB part of her OB/GYN practice.
Enter Jake Li, a friend of her older brother's, a guy who had been a constant in the background of Sarah's life for years until she left home after high school (after being slut shamed by her peers and her parents for a fairly mild sexual incident). Jake's just been amicably divorced, and is eager to strike up a new kind of relationship with fierce Sarah, whom he's always found appealing but feared he was too geeky to attract. Sarah's interested (Jake has grown up into a hot, as well as a kind, man), but she's also fearful, fear which expresses itself via crankiness, snark, and unexpected bursts of anger. Said anger only increases when her parents, whom she hadn't told about the severity of her illness, discover the truth through Jake's father and come to town for their first-ever visit. And of course stay with her. And clean her house. And tell her how to act...
A lot of reviewers are having a hard time relating to Sarah, in large part because of her anger (and because by contrast Jake is such a sweetheart). I, for one, love angry romance heroines, because they are far too rare in the genre and because they validate my own moments of frustration and striking out because of it. The story doesn't belabor the fact that Sarah's acting in large part out of fear—fear of lack of control, above all fear of dying—but it is there as a subtext if a reader is willing to hear it.
The details of Sarah's break with her parents are a little underdeveloped plot-wise, but the severity of the break makes sense when you understand it as a generational culture clash, not just an individual problem between a girl and her parents: the hard work required of first generation immigrants, which can leave them less time to spend with their children than American culture tells said children is only what they deserve, can leave many second generation immigrant children feeling unloved. And the perfectionism that many immigrant children feel, to prove themselves both to their parents and to American society, that they do belong here, which often can shade into psychological burden rather than healthy spur to ambition.
Lang also challenges stereotypes about the lack of sex appeal of of Asian men, even while she has Jake defending what his friends/the culture at large tries to push on him as the "right" way to be a recently-divorced male ("Jake," Winston said soothingly, "I know Ilse hurt you and you want to get back in the saddle. There are lots of ladies out there—" "why do men keep saying this to me? Why do we keep saying this to each other? We keep talking about saddles and riding along. I'm not a cowboy, and you are a dentist." [1881]) And the gendered difference in parents' treatment of brothers and sisters. And the gendered judgment differences when a man wants to be married, vs. when a woman wants to be married. All with humor, wit, and verve.
I applaud Lang for her brave, honest, and deeply feminist depiction of Sarah's struggle, both in coming to terms with her own mortality, and with finding her way to a romantic relationship in which she can still be herself, porcupine spines and all.
Dr. Sarah Soon, "maker of lists, taker of names, kicker of asses," has just finished being treated for Stage 2 Melanoma. Before her illness, Sarah was a hard-driving, take-charge, always-in-control kind of gal. But since her cancer diagnosis, she's been strangely unmotivated and lethargic, unable to bring herself to return to the OB part of her OB/GYN practice.
Enter Jake Li, a friend of her older brother's, a guy who had been a constant in the background of Sarah's life for years until she left home after high school (after being slut shamed by her peers and her parents for a fairly mild sexual incident). Jake's just been amicably divorced, and is eager to strike up a new kind of relationship with fierce Sarah, whom he's always found appealing but feared he was too geeky to attract. Sarah's interested (Jake has grown up into a hot, as well as a kind, man), but she's also fearful, fear which expresses itself via crankiness, snark, and unexpected bursts of anger. Said anger only increases when her parents, whom she hadn't told about the severity of her illness, discover the truth through Jake's father and come to town for their first-ever visit. And of course stay with her. And clean her house. And tell her how to act...
A lot of reviewers are having a hard time relating to Sarah, in large part because of her anger (and because by contrast Jake is such a sweetheart). I, for one, love angry romance heroines, because they are far too rare in the genre and because they validate my own moments of frustration and striking out because of it. The story doesn't belabor the fact that Sarah's acting in large part out of fear—fear of lack of control, above all fear of dying—but it is there as a subtext if a reader is willing to hear it.
The details of Sarah's break with her parents are a little underdeveloped plot-wise, but the severity of the break makes sense when you understand it as a generational culture clash, not just an individual problem between a girl and her parents: the hard work required of first generation immigrants, which can leave them less time to spend with their children than American culture tells said children is only what they deserve, can leave many second generation immigrant children feeling unloved. And the perfectionism that many immigrant children feel, to prove themselves both to their parents and to American society, that they do belong here, which often can shade into psychological burden rather than healthy spur to ambition.
Lang also challenges stereotypes about the lack of sex appeal of of Asian men, even while she has Jake defending what his friends/the culture at large tries to push on him as the "right" way to be a recently-divorced male ("Jake," Winston said soothingly, "I know Ilse hurt you and you want to get back in the saddle. There are lots of ladies out there—" "why do men keep saying this to me? Why do we keep saying this to each other? We keep talking about saddles and riding along. I'm not a cowboy, and you are a dentist." [1881]) And the gendered difference in parents' treatment of brothers and sisters. And the gendered judgment differences when a man wants to be married, vs. when a woman wants to be married. All with humor, wit, and verve.
I applaud Lang for her brave, honest, and deeply feminist depiction of Sarah's struggle, both in coming to terms with her own mortality, and with finding her way to a romantic relationship in which she can still be herself, porcupine spines and all.
November 17, 2024
I tried with this series but it was not for me. Whilst set in the same world with a group of females, none of the books or stories felt connected. Yes they are all meant to be standalones but the world should feel joined up. I want to feel excited about the characters in each book and look forward to their own story or to revisit favourites. All of this was missing for me. Sorry.
February 13, 2017
Smart, sexy, an absolute delight to read!
February 20, 2023
♥
This has to be my favorite of the series. I really loved how the discussion of hurts from childhood can impact your adulthood. Sara is rigid out of need to protect herself from judgement and not being good enough. And Jake what a sweetheart Isle can go kick rocks. What I think is so special about this series is that FMC are still themselves they are just allowed to be vulnerable. Sarah is still ready to bolt but she understands how asking for help is ok, not having it all together is ok, and leaving space to forgive is ok. Hands down a great read.
CN: cancer, surgery, fatigue from treatment, cheating, divorce, dating anxiety, slut shaming, shaming through church environment, parental death, grief, manipulation, car accident,
This has to be my favorite of the series. I really loved how the discussion of hurts from childhood can impact your adulthood. Sara is rigid out of need to protect herself from judgement and not being good enough. And Jake what a sweetheart Isle can go kick rocks. What I think is so special about this series is that FMC are still themselves they are just allowed to be vulnerable. Sarah is still ready to bolt but she understands how asking for help is ok, not having it all together is ok, and leaving space to forgive is ok. Hands down a great read.
CN: cancer, surgery, fatigue from treatment, cheating, divorce, dating anxiety, slut shaming, shaming through church environment, parental death, grief, manipulation, car accident,
January 9, 2018
Review to come.
Content Warnings:
Content Warnings:
June 3, 2017
This heartwarming story has an original plot, following Sarah as she overcomes her cancer but is left even more vulnerable when she is faced with Jake.
Read full review in the 2017 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
August 18, 2019
Clean Breaks completes Ruby Lang’s Practice Perfect series and I feel like this series is going into my rereadathon rotation. Of the three, I think this one is my favorite. It feels the most comfortable.
Sarah Soon is an Ob/Gyn who, prior to the book’s start, was diagnosed with melanoma. Treatment was successful and she is cancer free, but the diagnosis knocked her for a loop. While celebrating her cancer free status, she runs into her brother’s best childhood friend, Jake Li. Jake is newly divorced and a school social worker. This is a nice twist on the second chance teen lovers as adults story, because they were never romantically involved. They did share the experience of being the only Asian Americans in a very white school, and both grew up with the pressure to be A Good Example. Sarah failed and is estranged from her family. You’ll have to read the book to find out how it all plays out.
The entire time I read the three books, I was highlighting favorite passages quotes and exchanges. The temptation to make my reviews quotes from the book was strong, but the books don’t cost much and you should buy them. I just love reading Lang’s writing.
…
Ruby Lang has a very definite thesis in the series – in those times of vulnerability, people have the potential to let in the kind of love that will flourish, but fear of change and inadequacy are roadblocks. In each book, the individuals are in moments where they question what they thought were fundamental truths. What makes their happy endings feel like happily ever afters, rather than happy for nows is the way they trust each other with their vulnerability. These are romances that feel attainable, but also escapist and romantic. Obviously, they aren’t going to be every readers thing, but I hope you give them a shot. I can’t wait to read more of Lang’s work, but I have some other books already on my kindle that I need to read first.
Sarah Soon is an Ob/Gyn who, prior to the book’s start, was diagnosed with melanoma. Treatment was successful and she is cancer free, but the diagnosis knocked her for a loop. While celebrating her cancer free status, she runs into her brother’s best childhood friend, Jake Li. Jake is newly divorced and a school social worker. This is a nice twist on the second chance teen lovers as adults story, because they were never romantically involved. They did share the experience of being the only Asian Americans in a very white school, and both grew up with the pressure to be A Good Example. Sarah failed and is estranged from her family. You’ll have to read the book to find out how it all plays out.
The entire time I read the three books, I was highlighting favorite passages quotes and exchanges. The temptation to make my reviews quotes from the book was strong, but the books don’t cost much and you should buy them. I just love reading Lang’s writing.
They might have stood for a minute, looking at each other. But Mulder, not believing an invitation was needed, bounded inside, and Jake . . . well, Jake simply let go of her leash. His eyes crinkled. So. Completely. Unfair.
…
For a moment while his father and the chef conversed, her brow furrowed deeply, and Jake knew in that moment that she wished in her dark inky heart that they’d all get food poisoning from the restaurant.
How bad did he have it that her spite was a turn on?
Ruby Lang has a very definite thesis in the series – in those times of vulnerability, people have the potential to let in the kind of love that will flourish, but fear of change and inadequacy are roadblocks. In each book, the individuals are in moments where they question what they thought were fundamental truths. What makes their happy endings feel like happily ever afters, rather than happy for nows is the way they trust each other with their vulnerability. These are romances that feel attainable, but also escapist and romantic. Obviously, they aren’t going to be every readers thing, but I hope you give them a shot. I can’t wait to read more of Lang’s work, but I have some other books already on my kindle that I need to read first.
February 17, 2025
Pretty much the same as the previous 2 books: so-called ‘friend’ (Winston) who seems like a terrible human being; not much actual doctoring going on; conflicts with parents; attraction seems very surface-level and I just don’t really believe they are good together; the return of an ex causing conflict.
Still not a huge fan of Ruby Lang’s writing style: “Would it be too forward of her to ask him to give a little kick – nothing fancy – so that she could watch his thigh muscles flex?” (ugh… eye roll)
Still not a huge fan of Ruby Lang’s writing style: “Would it be too forward of her to ask him to give a little kick – nothing fancy – so that she could watch his thigh muscles flex?” (ugh… eye roll)
August 12, 2019
This is the third of Ruby Lang's Practice Perfect trilogy and the third I've read. I was excited to read Sarah's story and I loved the elements of self-discovery and personal-growth-as-a-journey throughout. I also really enjoyed a different Sarah from those portrayed in the previous books, a Sarah who has had her confidence shaking. Though I did think the handling of the issues was done well and with a pleasing realism, I felt the over-arching conflict about the past and the present (and the future) was stretched a little thin and I grew impatient for the resolution.
September 27, 2024
I guess this book was the best one out of the series but that’s not saying much. I liked the fact she knew him from being kids and they had a shared history. I didn’t really buy the relationship though and the spicy scenes kinda made me cringe cos I just didn’t believe Jake, the vicar’s son who married his first girlfriend would say those things. Sarah was an okay character but I don’t like how all 3 of the FMCs in this series were just so whiny and complaining. It grates after a bit. This book was fine and easier to finish but I wouldn’t recommend to anyone else nor would I ever read again
November 10, 2018
Loved, loved, loved Sarah. But this book was so hard to get through- it hit too close to home. The slut shaming Sarah had to face was infuriating and honestly the only ending I would have been satisfied with, was everyone else falling into a pit of fire and being burnt alive.
Sarah’s brother is a fucking asshole. I despise toxic family dynamics and I can’t read them. Even if it’s for plot. Toxic family members should be left in the dust.
Sarah’s brother is a fucking asshole. I despise toxic family dynamics and I can’t read them. Even if it’s for plot. Toxic family members should be left in the dust.
July 4, 2019
(4/2019) My yfavorite of the bunch, which is a surprise. I hadn’t liked Sarah much in past books. This story was the most enjoyable, though Jake isn’t as adorable as Adam (their brief bromance was adorable, however). Winston is a weird story appendage that doesn’t make sense as anyone’s friend, but I guess there had to be an intermediary friendship to explain Sarah and Jake knowing each other but Jake not supporting her in a forgivable way.
October 19, 2020
While I struggled to become invested in the previous two books, this one had me compulsively turnings pages.
I had some issues with her friends' lack of support sometimes, and her brother. And there were two instances of some revelations for Sarah that I just could not seem to follow, but that might be because my life experiences aren't the same so I couldn't get where the character was going.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down!
I had some issues with her friends' lack of support sometimes, and her brother. And there were two instances of some revelations for Sarah that I just could not seem to follow, but that might be because my life experiences aren't the same so I couldn't get where the character was going.
Overall this was a very enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down!
March 4, 2021
I put off writing this review because I was conflicted, I think it just didn't quite land for me in terms of reflecting my personal experiences with religious beliefs evolving (the cause of Jake's divorce before the book starts and something he reflects on in a few places). Meh, I don't know. I wasn't totally satisfied with , either. Just not my cuppa.
May 4, 2025
A second-chance romance with plenty of emotional baggage, Clean Breaks delivers charm and complexity in equal measure. Ruby Lang crafts a story of vulnerability and rediscovery, though the pacing occasionally stumbles. The chemistry between Sarah and Jake is undeniable, but their history sometimes overshadows the romance. A solid read for those who enjoy love stories with a side of personal growth—just don’t expect a perfectly smooth ride
May 17, 2025
I’ve read Ruby lang books and enjoyed them but this one was really not for me! I really struggled and found the story a bit dull and hard going, it seemed to jump around all over the place changing characters within the same chapters and it really threw me off. It should have been for me a really great romance about falling in love with your brothers friend and him always loving you back but I really didn’t get that! I wasn’t a massive fan of the female lead either.
December 22, 2025
3 ⭐️
Tropes:
- brothers best friend
- divorcee MMC
- doctor FMC
- difficult relationships with family
I generally enjoyed this book but I did feel like the backstories weren’t fleshed out enough and I found myself annoyed not fully knowing the situation with Sarah’s family. I think as a couple the pair worked well and I enjoyed that there was no real miscommunication between the pair and any adversity came from outside the relationship.
Tropes:
- brothers best friend
- divorcee MMC
- doctor FMC
- difficult relationships with family
I generally enjoyed this book but I did feel like the backstories weren’t fleshed out enough and I found myself annoyed not fully knowing the situation with Sarah’s family. I think as a couple the pair worked well and I enjoyed that there was no real miscommunication between the pair and any adversity came from outside the relationship.
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September 22, 2019Clean Breaks is one of those deep emotion-driven novels that is a little tough for readers like me who prefer bigger external plots in their contemporary romance. A lot of this book is Sara and Jake diving into their emotional baggage and finding that elusive work-life balance, it's a slow burn that focuses on healing and confronting the past.
February 1, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️1:2 I thought this was an enjoyable romance. It’s pretty rare to see romances featuring main characters of Asian descent. I thought the author did a great job of outlining the cultural difficulties that can occur between generations, especially with immigrant families. Other than that the novel was a pretty typical romance and a nice quick read.
September 4, 2022
Quick read, great descriptions of a flawed adults wrestling with difficult family histories (especially the Asian American / Chinese American family dynamics) and working through them. As always, love novels with dreamy, steadfast, emotionally aware Asian American male leads and ambitious competent Asian American women - seems to be this author’s niche and will keep looking for more from her.
January 11, 2025
An OK romance novel. I was hoping for more comedy elements and lightness, but I found a lot of the story quite down in tone. It also felt like Sarah and Jake peaked too early and spent the rest of the book thinking of reasons they might not stay together, so it didn’t feel as positive or heartwarming as I’d hoped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2025
I picked this book up on a bit of a whim in a deal. Sadly I just found this a bit difficult to read, it felt as though the POV was changing mid paragraph and to me, it was very jarring.
I am also deep seated in the middle of a fantasy reading stint so I think this is impacting my ability to get into a normal romance book. I think this might be one I pick up again later on in the year but for now a DNF.
I am also deep seated in the middle of a fantasy reading stint so I think this is impacting my ability to get into a normal romance book. I think this might be one I pick up again later on in the year but for now a DNF.
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