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Collapsible #3
Unbreakable: A Novel of Relationships, Getaways, Teep Kicks, Bacon, Nuptials, and the Occasional Stabbing
With her leg finally back at full strength and her emotional life taking on a whole new shape, Rachel Cooper feels fit to handle the confluence of four major events: the end of another school year, the beginning of a new relationship, the stress of helping to plan a wedding, and Coach's insistence that Rachel overcome a mental block and master the flying teep kick.
Meanwhile, Rachel draws the focus of some strong male attention. While she isn't sure what it all means, she's determined not to write an alternate story in her head by pitting herself as the main character in yet another imagined thriller. But in her determination not to make the same mistake a third time, Rachel ignores danger signs. Will Rachel manage to separate fact from fiction before it's too late?
Meanwhile, Rachel draws the focus of some strong male attention. While she isn't sure what it all means, she's determined not to write an alternate story in her head by pitting herself as the main character in yet another imagined thriller. But in her determination not to make the same mistake a third time, Rachel ignores danger signs. Will Rachel manage to separate fact from fiction before it's too late?
- GenresChristian
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2018
13 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Buchanan
15 books195 followersRuth Buchanan is a Christian freelance writer and the author of seven books, four stage plays, and countless articles and essays. She is the Director of Literary Services at Build a Better Us.
Stars based on subjective enjoyment rather than merit.
Stars based on subjective enjoyment rather than merit.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 31, 2020
Meet Rachel Cooper, thirty-something high school English teacher who's awesome in the classroom but endearingly clueless outside of it. Rachel's personal life is full of melodrama, much of it the product of an over active imagination and a tendency to freak out over every little thing that happens to inconvenience her. Fortunately for Rachel, there's a caring and devoted friend in the mix, as well as a somewhat acerbic sister to help keep her grounded.
The three books in the series (Collapsible, Flexible and Unbreakable) are light, entertaining reads with a core of interesting and worthwhile characters. I laughed and groaned and sympathized with Rachel as she bumbled her way from self-absorbed to self-reliant. For all her dithering, Rachel has a huge heart and she's not afraid to act when people need her, . I loved her character and that moment of realization when she sensed her prayers for wisdom were being answered.
By way of disclosure: Ruth Buchanan has been on my Goodreads friends list for a number of years. I knew she was an author, but had never read any of her books. So when I saw Unseasonable available at Kindle Unlimited, I gave it a try and really liked the relationship between Rachel, Lynn and Ann. And that drew me to the Collapsible series. (By the way, if you ever want an idea of what it takes to prepare for a hurricane in Florida, Unseasonable is the book for you!)
I'm not known for being overly generous with my stars, but I spent a really nice weekend with these books and I recommend them, so 4 stars.
The three books in the series (Collapsible, Flexible and Unbreakable) are light, entertaining reads with a core of interesting and worthwhile characters. I laughed and groaned and sympathized with Rachel as she bumbled her way from self-absorbed to self-reliant. For all her dithering, Rachel has a huge heart and she's not afraid to act when people need her, . I loved her character and that moment of realization when she sensed her prayers for wisdom were being answered.
By way of disclosure: Ruth Buchanan has been on my Goodreads friends list for a number of years. I knew she was an author, but had never read any of her books. So when I saw Unseasonable available at Kindle Unlimited, I gave it a try and really liked the relationship between Rachel, Lynn and Ann. And that drew me to the Collapsible series. (By the way, if you ever want an idea of what it takes to prepare for a hurricane in Florida, Unseasonable is the book for you!)
I'm not known for being overly generous with my stars, but I spent a really nice weekend with these books and I recommend them, so 4 stars.
May 23, 2020
Finished this, the 3rd novelette about Rachel who’s out of control life is as crazy as her hair. It takes her awhile but she learns how not to always jump to conclusions and everything is not always about her.
March 14, 2018
“This is the story of how one opinionated, headstrong woman falls in love, and how that love changes her—for better or for worse.” Rachel Cooper uses those words to describe Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew to her literature class, but she could almost have been giving a synopsis for her own love story.
Unbreakable is the last installment in thirty-something Rachel’s series of unfortunate life events. It is a wholly satisfying and wildly entertaining finale that had me laughing (or groaning) on almost every page. Rachel begins this book with a series of new year resolutions that include paying attention in church, mastering a flying teep kick, figuring out her romantic relationships, and not reading into ordinary situations and creating “groundless alternate storylines” in her head. For Rachel, those are all easier said than done.
Buchanan seamlessly weaves humor, wit, and honesty into Rachel’s story, making this character relatable, lovable, and one readers won’t soon forget.
I received an advance copy of this book but was not required to provide a positive review.
Unbreakable is the last installment in thirty-something Rachel’s series of unfortunate life events. It is a wholly satisfying and wildly entertaining finale that had me laughing (or groaning) on almost every page. Rachel begins this book with a series of new year resolutions that include paying attention in church, mastering a flying teep kick, figuring out her romantic relationships, and not reading into ordinary situations and creating “groundless alternate storylines” in her head. For Rachel, those are all easier said than done.
Buchanan seamlessly weaves humor, wit, and honesty into Rachel’s story, making this character relatable, lovable, and one readers won’t soon forget.
I received an advance copy of this book but was not required to provide a positive review.
June 26, 2020
I am the author. I just finished proofing the audio files for the upcoming audiobook release. Rachel and Ann's dynamic will never cease to amuse me. #RachelForever
June 24, 2019
You ever get to the place where you're so invested in a character that her victories feel like your victories? If not, please come here and lemme introduce you to Rachel Cooper. Shake hands.
This is the finale of a three-book series, and I CANNOT think of a better, more satisfying ending to this fantastic trilogy. I'm not giving story deets because this is a review, and there are three separate works I could potentially spoil here. So I'm just going to throw out some out-of-context personal favorites in no particular order for Future Me to look back on and think *Ooh, it's time to re-read this.*
Lee is a grown up boy.
Resolved:
The Most Florida Thing That Ever Happened.
They ate at Not-Stu's once???? (I was more affronted than Rachel)
My girl wearing red heels (at the actual worst possible time).
Stealth. Dating.
Early morning Muay Thai *lite.
Ann.
Wedding Days.
First Period English Class is the Mrs. Hudson of the Collapsible Series.
I live for eye crinkles.
Myla's dad makes Call-Me-Matt look like Ian Smith by comparison.
"The Holy Spirit has revealed that I'm the worst."
Blood on the tux.
This series had so much heart and truth, and it was a (thoroughly enjoyable) process. If you're a reader who is not Future Me, I'd definitely suggest reading these in order. Each book builds on the previous in a big way, and it's so effectively done. With each part of the story, my enjoyment of and affection for these characters has grown, and every bit of growth Rachel has experienced by the end felt earned.
All in all, I'm super sad this series and done and thrilled that it exists to be read oft as I please.
This is the finale of a three-book series, and I CANNOT think of a better, more satisfying ending to this fantastic trilogy. I'm not giving story deets because this is a review, and there are three separate works I could potentially spoil here. So I'm just going to throw out some out-of-context personal favorites in no particular order for Future Me to look back on and think *Ooh, it's time to re-read this.*
Lee is a grown up boy.
Resolved:
The Most Florida Thing That Ever Happened.
They ate at Not-Stu's once???? (I was more affronted than Rachel)
My girl wearing red heels (at the actual worst possible time).
Stealth. Dating.
Early morning Muay Thai *lite.
Ann.
Wedding Days.
First Period English Class is the Mrs. Hudson of the Collapsible Series.
I live for eye crinkles.
Myla's dad makes Call-Me-Matt look like Ian Smith by comparison.
"The Holy Spirit has revealed that I'm the worst."
Blood on the tux.
This series had so much heart and truth, and it was a (thoroughly enjoyable) process. If you're a reader who is not Future Me, I'd definitely suggest reading these in order. Each book builds on the previous in a big way, and it's so effectively done. With each part of the story, my enjoyment of and affection for these characters has grown, and every bit of growth Rachel has experienced by the end felt earned.
All in all, I'm super sad this series and done and thrilled that it exists to be read oft as I please.
March 31, 2018
This is one of those stories that encompasses all the fun of chick lit, light romance, good clean stalking, and a couple of good laughs.
New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken—unless you’re Rachel, and have been taking yourself way too seriously for the past couple of years. A high school teacher (and thank you from ALL of my heart for not villainizing teachers!), Rachel is a rare good woman who has the loving support of friends and sister on her quest to learn to take care of herself and find a good man—someone who can handle a little blood now and then and appreciates all of her friends, especially the pal who asks her to stand up with him at his wedding.
Unbreakable is the third book in a group of stories featuring Rachel Cooper and her antics. While it was obvious there were previous tales, it wasn’t necessary to have read them first. Instead, the mention of the other stories did what they were supposed to, which was make me curious to read them.
Readers who enjoy quirky and spunky female characters who manage to find themselves in predicaments, and love some clean wholesome romance, will enjoy Ruth’s stories.
New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken—unless you’re Rachel, and have been taking yourself way too seriously for the past couple of years. A high school teacher (and thank you from ALL of my heart for not villainizing teachers!), Rachel is a rare good woman who has the loving support of friends and sister on her quest to learn to take care of herself and find a good man—someone who can handle a little blood now and then and appreciates all of her friends, especially the pal who asks her to stand up with him at his wedding.
Unbreakable is the third book in a group of stories featuring Rachel Cooper and her antics. While it was obvious there were previous tales, it wasn’t necessary to have read them first. Instead, the mention of the other stories did what they were supposed to, which was make me curious to read them.
Readers who enjoy quirky and spunky female characters who manage to find themselves in predicaments, and love some clean wholesome romance, will enjoy Ruth’s stories.
March 21, 2019
More funny business by Buchanan.
Once again, I'm moved by the funny and delightful characters in this series. How I wish there were more books about Rachel so I could see how she gets on in her crazy life. If you've read the first two books, you absolutely have to read this one to see if Rachel will get her happy ending.
Once again, I'm moved by the funny and delightful characters in this series. How I wish there were more books about Rachel so I could see how she gets on in her crazy life. If you've read the first two books, you absolutely have to read this one to see if Rachel will get her happy ending.
February 17, 2020
A lovely ending to the trilogy :-) Book two remains my favourite, but I really liked how everything was tied together for a very satisfying ending. I got really, really frustrated with Rachel at one point (as my running status updates will have shown), but she redeemed herself nicely, and I appreciated the way everything got resolved. Ruth writes extremely relateable characters... even if I do perhaps relate more to Lynn than to Rachel ;-)
I LOVED Ian's idea of "stealth-dating"... yeah, that's never going to work out as you expect!
I LOVED Ian's idea of "stealth-dating"... yeah, that's never going to work out as you expect!
March 27, 2020
This was my favorite of the trilogy! I love the characters, well except Anne. I think I loved this one so much because I identified with the main character, Rachel, so much. Probably also why I wanted to throatpunch Anne regularly throughout this installment. I highlighted so many of Rachel’s thoughts and statements. They could have come from my own brain or were great reminders for me. I had tears in my eyes at the end because I need an Ian in my life LOL
March 23, 2018
By far, my favorite book in the trilogy. I had lots of ideas of how I thought Rachel's character would develop and even though it didn't go quite as I had thought, the ending far exceeded my ideas. These three books would be great light reading but still keep your brain alert with fun, rarely used vocabulary.
March 20, 2018
This is by far the best book of the series! So good to see Rachel becoming the woman she needed to be.
October 12, 2019
I so enjoyed this series! Shakespeare and clumsy English teachers — felt like I was reading about myself at times.
June 14, 2018
You kept me hooked, Ruth. I couldn’t put it down. I loved how this series wrapped up. Very satisfying!
April 18, 2020
A hilarious and heartwarming finish to this trilogy!
January 18, 2022
So many times throughout this book I found myself with a stupid smile across my face. I love Detective Ian Smith so much!
The name Lucille Ball runs through my mind in conjunction with Rachel. She's just so lovable, clueless and full of heart.
Can't think of a better series than this to kick off 2022! Thank you, Ruth, for sharing these characters with us!
The name Lucille Ball runs through my mind in conjunction with Rachel. She's just so lovable, clueless and full of heart.
Can't think of a better series than this to kick off 2022! Thank you, Ruth, for sharing these characters with us!
July 10, 2018
Loved this book! What an ending to the trilogy! Just a feel good all over experience. So glad I got hooked on Ruth Buchanan!💜
November 1, 2020
Poignant and Hilarious!
What could be a tragedy turns into a well-written comedy. Ruth Buchanan has an eye for the details that make her characters life-like and relatable. You won't want to miss the satisfying conclusion in this third book of the series. As Shakespeare wrote, "If you desire the spleen [meaning amusement], and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me."
What could be a tragedy turns into a well-written comedy. Ruth Buchanan has an eye for the details that make her characters life-like and relatable. You won't want to miss the satisfying conclusion in this third book of the series. As Shakespeare wrote, "If you desire the spleen [meaning amusement], and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me."
March 15, 2018
This is a GREAT end of the trilogy. I really enjoyed seeing how the characters grow and change. I love the complexity of the relationships and how they finish. Such an enjoyable book and trilogy!
March 18, 2018
This was an excellent end to Ruth's trilogy about Rachel Cooper. Actually, Ruth could probably write more about the accidental hijinks of Rachel. I can see the stories in Rachel's character.
This installment didn't have off-screen crime. This installment featured Lee Martin's wedding - the idea of which knocked Rachel's world off its axis.
It's a fun story. I laughed out loud many times while reading it. I can't wait to see what comes out of Ruth's brain next.
This installment didn't have off-screen crime. This installment featured Lee Martin's wedding - the idea of which knocked Rachel's world off its axis.
It's a fun story. I laughed out loud many times while reading it. I can't wait to see what comes out of Ruth's brain next.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews