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Break #2

Tough Break

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This Edition is no longer available and has been republished under Break: Volume 1.

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2018

47 people are currently reading
197 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Smoke

73 books2,825 followers
Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.

When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.


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5 stars
68 (23%)
4 stars
99 (33%)
3 stars
99 (33%)
2 stars
21 (7%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Ria.
658 reviews89 followers
July 2, 2021
I want karma to hit Victoria alreadyyyyyy
Profile Image for Calm Your Pits.
579 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2018
Cute

Cute follow up to their original encounter. I like how they interact together and no one gets jealous. They work their problems out pretty well. I would have liked more but it was good.
Profile Image for Kyan.
716 reviews28 followers
June 2, 2020
Our group of five are happily co-existing together.
But, things are not as happy go lucky as we all think they are. Our group has to start battling real life issues. The jealously of other girls start to be a bigger issue.
When a DC internship comes into play for her and the boys accompany her to the interview, things begin to get real. I enjoyed that was more real life.
Plus, I love the boys and our leading lady.
I'm very excited to see what the final book has in store for us.
Profile Image for J.B. Sharp.
Author 4 books57 followers
June 5, 2024
Novella, second in the series...I feel like the installments are too short and there are too many characters to really get to connect with all of them
Profile Image for Shelly Rogers.
336 reviews18 followers
March 29, 2025
The second installment of the Break Series. This story picks up shortly after the first ends with Jamie and her guys. Another spicy read.

We start to see the relationships between Jamie and each of the guys developing more. The snowed in one night stand has started to grow into much more. Jamie is starting to struggle with how society will view her relationship if it got out she was dating all four men. A weekend trip to DC turns out to be a learning experience.

This is still fast very fast paced, but I didn't feel like I was missing any part from the story. I do felt we saw a little more from Darren. Dex is still dominating and delightful. There was a hint that something might be going on with Cody towards the beginning. I'm not sure if the steamy night that soon followed alleviated that, or if that will be explored more later. There is a moment with Taylor where we start to see a little more there, but I do feel like we don't know as much about him yet.

The spice just keeps heating up. Right from the beginning...literally. And in some areas, takes a more dominating than before. Consent is a big thing for all of these guys and I can completely respect the author for making that important to the story.

My only "negative" is some of Jamie's interactions felt off. There is one part particularly where Jamie attempts dirty talk. Her thought process was she wanted to keep these men, entice them in any way possible, because she's falling for them. She felt threatened in a previous situation. This is just a personal opinion, but I don't feel like it took away from the story.

Overall, I'm enjoying this series. On to the next.

Happy Reading Ya'll <3
Profile Image for Elaine.
75 reviews4 followers
May 11, 2018
Jamie and her boys story continues! Is it L-O-V-E? Seems like something hot is in the air...

Rating: 😍😍😍😍😍

If you haven't read Study Break yet then you need to before digging in to Tough Break. This book is a continuation of Jamie and her boys relationship (Dex, Darren, Taylor, and Cody). Their lives have grown to encompass their relationship - as promised in the first instalment their library encounter was not a one time thing. They seemed to be making it work. Both Study Break and this book are told only by Jamie's POV which is cool but I would say there are a few holes (no pun intended but happy coincidence) that can be filled through the POV of the boys. For instance, what was Cody thinking at the football game or Darren in Washington DC. I'll give all the pennies just to know their thoughts.

Anyway the story is just as hot as it was in Study Break and you got to know more about the characters with the interactions between Jamie and them on her one-on-ones. Each character brings something interesting to the table - especially the dominant Dex. They all adore Jamie and love her. Only one way to find out where they end - its definitely a steamy read and will not disappoint. Its a quick read, dirty, and full of small plots.

Please Lucy can we have some more?
Profile Image for Daisy Delfin.
1,502 reviews181 followers
March 3, 2018
Tough Break is the second book in this series. The first book Study Break was published in the anthology Snow and Seduction and I hope it will also be published as a independent book.
In the first part, the protagonist meets her four male comitons. When she leaves the room to her roommate, Cody finds her and persuades her to go to the library where she meets Cody's other three friends. From here on, it's wham bam thank you ma'm.
In the second part, it actually goes on like this. There is still a bit of plot left, but the story is the background and the rest is the main plot. And that's my main criticism of both stories.
The other RH written by Lucy Smoke is a slow burn RH (Iris Boys). I liked that one better
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
826 reviews
March 24, 2018
Really funny that this book cameto be but I am so happy it happened. This book was a little bit longer then the last and honestly may have been better because the real world was introduced a little bit. I already loved the group all together but now they are headed to Washington and I got to see how their relationship changed since the months time jump. I was pleasantly surprised to learn more about each character in the story and hope the author decides to further the series cause I genuinely enjoyed these books!
Profile Image for Beebee Bonsai.
244 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2021
This is essentially an erotic short story.

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly innocent cover, there is dirty sex cover to cover.

This book has more variety than book 1 and more interesting social settings. The relationship has evolved so I enjoyed the second book more as a result.

I think it earns a solid 4 stars. It lost a star as there are a few unanswered questions that I wished the author took a moment to address. Despite it being all about the sex, I am still naturally curious about a few things.
137 reviews10 followers
March 6, 2018
Loved ❤️ loved ❤️ loved. I absolutely love this series and the author. It seems like a more realistic RH and super Hot. Makes me want to hang out in a library during s snow storm and hopefully fine my own guys. (From the first book). It has great character development and steamy sex scenes. These books are some of my favourites and I’m excited to read more of Jamie and her guys; Dex, Cody, Darren and Donovan story.
474 reviews
March 3, 2018
Loved it

I love this author. She took a novella and turned it into a story. I like her characters and their relationship together. It seems a more realistic RH. And the hot sexy scenes!!! I want to keep reading about the characters to see where their relationship goes in the future.
Profile Image for Beth C..
1,863 reviews15 followers
March 3, 2018
Good, flirty second book in the series

I liked this second book, and am enjoying the series. The relationship between Jamie and her guys, Dex, Cody, Darren and Donovan is super steamy. They all have their own relationships though. But as their college careers progress, the relationship they share goes through some struggles. I'm excited to see how they all deal with it.
Profile Image for Kristy Alexander.
191 reviews6 followers
April 27, 2019
Too Short

I felt these books are rushed and so much is left out. I want to know what Cody's problem was and wanted more pictures of the relationship outside of the sex. If you're looking for hot, quick sex, this book is great. I was just left wanting more from this book and the first one.
Profile Image for Natasha.
414 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2020
This a follow up novella and book 2 in the series. It picks up a few months after the first one where the guys are now all living together off campus, which makes it easier to date all 4 of them. There is no jealousy and they function together like a team and support system for each other. There is lots of steam and it’s fast burn. Easy, quick read.
Profile Image for Hannah.
84 reviews
March 4, 2018
I read this all in one sitting (be warned it is a novella so it is short) and it was well written and had a good dose of steamy action. There was a little more conflict and tension in this book, as opposed to the first book, which was more just them meeting and starting their relationship. The problems that cropped up were dealt with by the end and there was no cliffhanger, which is always a plus. All in all it was a great short, steamy read and I look forward to reading more.
*spoiler warning*
There is some spanking (it is consensual), so if you don't like that be warned.
301 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2018
Great Sequel!

Can't wait for the next installment but it's a relief when the sequel is just as good as the first! I haven't read Daimon yet but all of Lucy's other books are well written and so much fun to read!
482 reviews7 followers
April 21, 2018
A good second part to the series with the story taking place a few months after the last one had finished. Will there be another one? Well I sure hope so as I feel the story isn't quite finished just yet for The Winthrope Five.
Profile Image for Chelsey.
767 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2018
Good addition to the series

When authors write a follow up to a stand alone it's almost always awful. This wasn't. This was an excellent addition to the Winthrope world. I enjoyed spending a little more time with the Five.
557 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2019
Still hot - 4.5 stars

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I think I liked this even more. It was still super hot, but we got to see more of their lives and relationships as they grow and develop and navigate through obstacles. I’ll definitely read the next in this series
Profile Image for SJ.
2,414 reviews15 followers
April 27, 2019
The story continues with Jamie and her guys in a five way relationship. I love all the drama and angst as well as the tender moments and I love the steam. Fantastic story and I am so excited for the next book
Profile Image for Penny.
863 reviews11 followers
January 1, 2020
Ohh these characters are so sweet.
Jamie and her guys are moving forward with their relationship and finding the right balance with themselves as a group and what they all want in the future.
There is plenty of sexy times and a good story for a novella.
Profile Image for Alli.
281 reviews19 followers
February 29, 2020
Great sequel! We get to see how Jamie and the guys operate in the real world. What happens after their steamy night stranded in the library? There are some kindle-melting scenes in this book and even some fun, public fooling around! It's even better than the first one.
Profile Image for Shelly.
Author 24 books23 followers
October 19, 2020
Jaime and they guys go to DC for her to have a chance at her dream job...and she tries to help one of them but things go sideways...I love how she is navigating through it all and dealing with each man and their quirks.
Profile Image for belinda kilby.
129 reviews
March 16, 2018
Great read

I loved learning more about the characters and can't wait to see what is in store for them and how they pull through any and all obstacles they may face loved it!
Profile Image for Beth Knight.
1,158 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2019
Pretty good. I am not sure about her having four boyfriends, but I probably wouldn't be able to choose either.
Profile Image for Jessica.
887 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2019
Nice

I liked this one much better. More story about their lives along with many more steamy scenes. And just because i can....f*** Bethany white lol
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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