Benjamin Sapphire is tall, dark, handsome, and very rich. He’s ex-military who lost more than friends while in combat; he lost a part of himself, literally. Wealth, good looks and his irresistible charm provide a revolving door of women in his bed. Finding someone to help fill the black hole that was once his heart is another story. Until he meets her…
Jill Baldwin is not just beautiful, blonde, and brilliant; she’s a ball buster. She knows who she is and what she wants, and won’t settle for anything less. She’s worked her ass off to open one of the hottest spa’s in the city and is enjoying the spoils of her success. Her business is her life and not even the sexiest man she’s ever encountered is going to mess with that… Right?
Check out this cross-over series featuring Benjamin Sapphire from Michelle Windsor’s The Auction Series, and Jill Baldwin from Haylee Thorne’s Kingsley Series to see what kind of sparks fly when their two worlds collide!
When Haylee Thorne isn’t writing her stories, she works proudly as a registered nurse in Kentucky. Haylee loves to read and watch TV (she may or may not be slightly obsessed with anime), and there aren’t many movies she has not seen. She’s known to enjoy a good glass of champagne, and can eat an unlimited amount of French fries (seriously, it’s a problem). When she has some free time (as in time not spend working or writing), Haylee loves spending time with her family and friends. You can find Haylee on her webpage at http://hayleethorneauthor.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hayleethorne... or on bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hayle... .
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and have decided to leave a voluntary honest review. My heart broke for Ben, and not for him losing a limb, no its because I don't know how some people can be so calcous towards a vet. I mean the man is hero, not only that but survior who risked his life for his country and also Paid dearly afterwards. Now that I got that off my chest. Noe on to Jill I can understand her hestiant about opening herself up, I mean to takes for broken heart to mend and sometimes it never does. But I believe Ben and Jill are right for each other.
I found this book by sort of accident on Amazon - while one of my frequent search routines for books of certain genres. I stopped to take a closer look - well obviously because it appeared due to my search and because of the def. gorgeous Stuart Reardon on the cover #sigh.
This is again proof on how important the cover is for a book. I strongly believe that it has the same importance than the actual content. Because in the real-life case of a bookstore, for example, the first thing you see ALWAYS is the cover and if the title and the design are not appealing - you will never pick it up to even read the blurb on the backside.
Lucky me was able to see/meet Mr. Reardon in person twice so seeing him on a cover is always drawing me in like a magnet - and you can trust me when I say he is as nice in person as he is gorgeous on a book cover.
The plot is well developed and an enjoyable read - If I had a complain it would be that I often had the feeling I should have read some other book before this, because while the story might stand alone it still felt that I was missing a backstory - and I only found out later that it was a crossover story so there is a sort of backstory and my recommendation would be to check this one before reading this book to get a better feeling
I am only sad that I missed out on the books that introduced Ben and Jill! I loved how Jill kept Ben on his toes. She wasn't looking to play games with him, but I loved how Ben was single-minded in his attempt to get Jill and win her over! It was a delightfully sexy story, but not without its fair share of emotional highs and lows. The plot and romance were well balanced, and the characters were utterly engaging in this amazing co-authored book!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy to read and give my honest opinion. I though the cover was splendid and eye catching. The blurb was pretty good and this is my first from this author.
Benjamin Sapphire is a war hero, and veteran. Lost a leg due to an IED and only one to survive. Him and his brother are opening a chain of Sapphire hotels and they are implementing spa's in the design. The owner of the Spa's has caught Benjamin's eye and fiery spirit. Jill is one of those women who think they're badly damaged because of some past relationships. Meeting Ben Sapphire hasn't made her life any easier. Even though the attraction is there, she's already been through enough to know he should come with a label marking him dangerous.
I wanted to like this book but it just didn't do it for me. I thought the characters had zero chemistry due to the horrible flow of words. Most of the conversation between the two could not have been between two adults, but rather two children. I wanted to not finish about half way and even though the proposal at the end was cute I still didn't have much for the writing style. Jill was such a bad ass in the beginning....where did it go? Nothing large happened to make jumping into bed with Ben seem plausible. She spent enough time denying any attraction to him. Then she apologizes for her two employees misspeaking, why does he jump off the deep end and act so childish. Why does she get on the boat when she knows she gets sea sick? So many things make Jill's character seem like she's not right, and weak. Ben is just the same. Barely two stars on the entertainment end. Sorry but this book just aggravated me.
OMFG!! BREAKING BENJAMIN Indeed Broke my Heart & was Lucky enough to Be Put Back Together Again by the End of this Wonderful Story!!! Michelle Windsor is a First time AUTHOR for me and paired with Haylee Thorne...WOW!! THIS BOOK BLEW ME AWAY!! Benjamin Sapphire is a wounded Army veteran and feels like damaged goods...Not quite whole anymore. Then suddenly walks in a vision of a Golden Goddess in his view and feels like he should rescue her from unwanted pickup line at the bar. After "rescuing" her, Ben orders their drinks for them and introduces himself until she gives a " thank you" then suddenly rushes off. Of course, Ben follows her cuz she did give out her Name and he was determined to get it but again...gives him the cold shoulder & walks away. Then he decides to brush it away and find his little brother Drew before his speech for the charity event. While looking for him, his sister in law Hannah flags him down and introduces him to her group of friends then Lo & Bold...then Golden Goddess happens to one of them named Jillian. Jillian Baldwin is your typical successful business woman with her amazing Spa called Serenity and has her heart broken one to many times from Tall, Dark & Handsome! She really smitten by Benjamin but refuses to let her guard down yet again. But she drawn to him like a Moth To A Flame and she is ready to Run for the Hills! The Sapphire Brother's run an empire of Resorts and trying to work a deal with Jill to have her spas incorporate with the hotels to expand businesses. But for Jill, making business with pleasure can get a bit messy. As the brother's decide to experience a Spa Day at Serenity, thanks to Hannah..."Operation Get Jill" plan is in the works! As Jill has to stand in as one the masseuses, she got like to massage Benjamin by accident then she hears their conversation about her and decides right then & there she will go out with him. Benjamin & Jill Storytelling will MELT YOUR HEART STRINGS and Your Panties!! Then you wanna throw your Tablet across the room and Yell at the characters themselves plus Cry your Eyes Out!! I Really LOVE this Book & it's a Must READ!! Michelle Windsor and Haylee Thorne did an Outstanding balance to Breaking Benjamin and the Ending with have you in Tears!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Benjamin Sapphire is tall, dark, handsome, and very rich. He’s ex-military who lost more than friends while in combat; he lost a part of himself, literally.
Jill Baldwin is not just beautiful, blonde, and brilliant; she’s a ball buster. She knows who she is and what she wants, and won’t settle for anything less. She’s worked her ass off to open one of the hottest spa’s in the city and is enjoying the spoils of her success. Her amazing Spa called Serenity and has her heart broken one to many times
Benjamin Sapphire is not quite whole anymore, losing a limb does certain things to a man. At a bar one night, he see's a Golden Goddess in his view and feels like he should rescue her from unwanted pickup line at the bar. After rescuing her from some unwanted attention, Ben orders their drinks for them and introduces himself until she gives a "thank you" then suddenly rushes off. Ben follows her and he was determined to get her name, but, again gives him the cold shoulder & walks away. While looking for his brother Drew, his sister-in-law Hannah flags him down and introduces him to her group of friends including then Golden Goddess, Jillian.
The Sapphire Brother's run an empire of Resorts and trying to work a deal with Jill to have her spas incorporate with the hotels to expand businesses. But for Jill, making business with pleasure can get a bit messy. As the brother's decide to experience a Spa Day at Serenity, thanks to Hannah..."Operation Get Jill" plan is in the works!
Our couple, Jill and Ben, are both dealing with their own inner struggles: Ben was injured in the service and lost several close comrades and Jill has been hurt in the past and has major trust issues when it comes to men. However, when these two meet, their is an instant spark. A spark Ben wants to explore and one Jill wants to run from as fast as she can.
I adored this story and the characters within. The supporting characters, especially Jill's friends were a joy to read and I loved how they stuck by her and always had her back, even if they thought she was wrong. Ben, well he has is younger brother and his wife and their two kids in his corner. His sister-in-law loves him dearly and does everything she can to help him.
The story is very well written, describing the events that make this couple broken in each of their own way, yet it does so with a warmth and gentleness that it doesn't bleed your heart, it just takes your breath away a bit. Especially Ben's story. So heartbreaking and so....well right for the time of year that I am reading it. It contains a beautiful tribute to the men he served with and lost, and to those recovering. Even in fiction, this is a beautiful tribute that I am sure is really out there somewhere in this world.
This is Ben and Jill's story that shows through with a brilliant light that captured your attention and pulled you through. Two broken people who find each other, fall for one another and then one lets fear push her away from what her heart wants. His heart is black and his pain is from his service and his loss during his service to his country. Can they heal each other and find true happiness that they each deserve? You will have to read this book to find out.
An excellent read and one that I am certain that everyone will fall in love with. I highly recommend this book!
LOVED this storyline. The author has given us characters we can relate to and can’t help but want a HEA for. The book is very well written to the point you can actually feel the emotions of the characters (the happy, sad, pain and joy). The story in itself will ignite your own emotions as well as the couple takes you on one heck of a whirling romantic ride.
Our couple, Jill and Ben, are both dealing with their own inner struggles: Ben was injured in the service and lost several close comrades and Jill has been hurt in the past and has major trust issues when it comes to men. However, when these two meet, their is an instant spark. A spark Ben wants to explore and one Jill wants to run from as fast as she can. But trust me when I say the chase is on.
The storyline will break your heart at times and have it soaring for the clouds at other times. I can’t recommend Breaking Benjamin enough. It’s tender, heartwarming, heartbreaking and fun all rolled up into one amazing story. And while I don’t do spoilers, I would be remiss if I didn’t say KUDO’s to the authors for a phenomenal tribute to our soldiers. To those who have come home wounded, emotional scarred as well as those who were lost on the field. It’s truly an amazing backstory that I won’t soon forget. 2 Thumbs up for an excellent read, one I once again recommend you grab up asap, you won’t be sorry you did.
Where do I go from here? Breaking Benjamin is a story of two broken people who together make a whole. Benjamin is a very successful business man with his brother owning a hotel chain. Jillian is a successful business woman in her own right. She owns a spa that not only has the normal things but also a line of skin care products. Seems like they would make perfect business sense. Ben is enthralled by a vision in gold. He rescues her from some unwanted attention but with a quick and sassy thank you, she disappears in the crowd. It's luck for him that they share some mutual friends. It's her sass that makes Ben stand up and take notice. Since recovering from his life changing time in the service, no woman has captured his attention. Jill has done the impossible. Ben chases her like he needs her for his next breath. Jill has been devistaed by love before. That's why she is afraid to give Ben the time of day. Her heart can't take another break. But she fears it might be too late. Ben showers her with things she thought no one was paying attention to. He woos her and she has no choice but to let him. I loved these characters. Their feelings are laid open by the telling from both points of view. You are privaliged to hear what they feel. Their inner thoughts slayed me with the turmoil running around in both their minds.
Where do I start hmm.. maybe with the delicious cover!!! I knew it would be a book to be devoured when I saw it! and I wasn't wrong.
Whilst I have read Michelle Windsor before and she broke my poor heart with "love notes" her last book I've not Haylee Thorne so this was a fantastic introduction to her style of writing.
This book for me was quite a quick read, I couldn't put it down and time just vanished as Ben wrapped his manly arms around me and enticed me into his world of dark and light, of loss and love.
Jill on the other hand is all about her business having burnt her fingers previously with men and sworn never to fall for rich, dark and handsome men.
What comes next is a story of the past haunting the promise of a fantastic future of heads ruling where hearts should and oh my what a rollercoaster ride it is!
Love, pain, hurt, and passion these are the best words to describe this book without saying too much.
Michelle and Haylee to me are a winning team and I can't wait to see if they come up with anything else.
When two wonderful authors come together and join their book worlds, what you get is Breaking Benjamin. This book is a complete standalone but we get the fortune of seeing past characters from Haylee Thorne and Michelle Windsor. I loved how seamlessly they were able pull their worlds together. Benjamin and Jill are two characters that have chemistry but don't think they are the best for the other. The emotions that both authors pull from the reader will make you laugh and then cry and then yell and then bring it all back together again. I loved this story and seeing old friends throughout the story. And now I can't wait for their next collaboration.
Oh Benjamin Sapphire you give me all the tingles! You are wonderful! You are a man that I wish was mine! I mean I guess I’ll have to share you since I wasn’t the one in the book with you. But I will say you met your match with Jill. She’s smart witty and vulnerable. However when you two are together your bring out the heat in each other. Your businesses both successful and you’re both characters that we all wish we had relationships like. #relationshipgoals
Love that Drew and Hannah were back. I mean how could they not be?!?!
Enjoyed this book! I would love to get more of these two!!!
Benjamin is a amazing man he thinks he’s broken but in my eyes he’s a hero and amazing man . I love Ben’s personality. Jill is a tough woman and knows what she wants and won’t crumble. When Ben and Jill meet chemistry is a push and pull but will Jill give in or walk away? Beautiful story love all the secondary characters! .. 4/5 stars
Amazing book! I love connecton, chemistry and character developement. And it is plenty of those in this book. The lightening of Benjamin is stunning - the change from the sad dark frustrated man we got to know in The winning bid and Final bid to attentive romantic lover is melting my heart. ;) And of course Stuart Reardon on the cover doesn't hurt a bit. :D
Omg! When two of the greatest authors come together and create a book and not only is this book steamy and hot it had my emotions big time! Ben & Jill had some great chemistry and they cracked me up with Ben being jealous! You just need to read this!
I love love love Michelle’s books and she gone and teamed up with the amazing Haylee Thorne and created this amazing story about the lovely Jill and Ben.
I read within 3 hours I was so consumed with their love story!
I flove Michelle’s books! She teamed up with the amazing Haylee Thorne and created an amazing story about the lovely Jill and Ben. I couldn’t put it down! Wonderful read!
The book is AMAZING from the beginning. I absolutely love Benjamin Sapphire. He's everyone's dream man. Jill Baldwin has met her match but feels she doesn't deserve him. Benjamin does everything to prove her wrong. This is a MUST read.
Heartwarming & Humorous with an Element of Realism
What a wonderful story! The insta-attraction that ignites between Jillian and Benjamin sets the stage for a fast paced love story that ended before I was ready! Their blazing chemistry had me smiling and their humorous banter had me laughing out loud! There was no pretense, no posturing between Jill and Ben - just two people with a history of heartache searching for something more and ultimately willing to take a risk to find the love of a lifetime. As with any new relationship, the couple had to overcome obstacles to get their happily-ever-after; in this case, self-imposed doubts and insecurities.
This love story had all the elements I enjoy: loving family, a committed core group of friends, a strong, gentlemanly military hero, a sassy yet classy female and an inherent level of realism that kept me turning the pages because I had to know what would happen next. If I had to point to my favorite element of Breaking Benjamin, I would say that I absolutely loved the seamless transitions between Jill and Ben's points of view; the authors did a fantastic job!
If you are looking for a book that is truly "a feel good read", you will not be disappointed.
I loved this book. The story of Benjamin and Jillian is a cute love story that touched my heart. This book has a great story line, hot sex and an alpha male, what more could we want. I highly recommend this book to everyone, I know you will love it just like I did.
I haven't read the books that featured the two main characters at first and I really regret it! I am going to do so after this one because the characters really captured me and I need to see where they are coming from. Also in the book, there are other couples from the books that I want more information about!
So about this book. The book is not the typical romance type. I haven't read another book where the main male character has a disability; it was a pleasant change. The fact that Benjamin lost part of his leg, when he was at the military, made him more emotionally vulnerable. He's broken in a way that affects his relationships with other people.
In the other hand, Jill, is broken in her own way. She's been hurt from men repeatedly, especially from men like Benjamin, Tall Dark and Handsome, as she put it. That is the reason she's closed off at first and wants to keep their relationship strictly professional.
But come on when does the strictly professional rule really works?!!? Let me tell you; Never! Benjamin is determined to make her his and he want stop until she succumbs. His actually really sweet towards her and considers her demands about the acceptable first date. The scene where he fills the spa floor with white lilies really made me swoon!!
As I said before, Benjamin is emotionally vulnerable, and when he misunderstand something that Jill said, he's really hurt and flees town to stay at his brother's beach house. Him thinking that Jill doesn't want him because his damaged goods really broke my heart. I was so happy that she chased after him to set the record straight. In this point in the book there's something that Jill said to him that really spoke to my soul:
"We' re all broken, Ben. All of us, in some way. Won't you ever try and give us a chance?"
This book ride was really emotional for me. It make me relate with the characters in some way or another, feel their pain and love for each other. The authors did an excellent job bringing these two worlds together. Benjamin and Jill really deserves to be happy and I'm glad that they found each other. I hope that in the future we will get more mutual books from the authors!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The 4 stars I am giving this book are for all the things I like about it. It’s a good story and the hero, Benjamin is wonderful even if he is a little broken. I feel like we really get insight into his character and get to know him and what makes him the way he is. I love how he turned his anger at losing part of his leg to an IED and losing his team into an opportunity to build a gym for other vets to go and have more privacy and not have to worry about people reacting to their prosthetics. He also runs a charity for Vets. That’s pretty selfless, not broken if you ask me. I did not care for Jill as much however and just couldn’t connect with her. I didn’t hate her I just had some issues with her. She works hard, has her own business and is sassy, but I feel like the way she handles herself a couple of times with Ben is not warranted and it just bothered me. I know it’s because of her past experiences with men but he did not do anything except be a sweet and sexy man who was good to her and who wants her. She needed to see that more clearly and listen to her friends. I loved Operation Get Jill and how that all plays out at Jill’s spa Serenity. I loved how Ben was so sweet to her when he takes her on a date on the yacht. I loved their passion and hot sexy scenes. I also love what he orchestrates on NY Eve for her. That made me smile and was very cool. There are some things about the flow of the story I did not care for but all in all it’s a good one, with of course an HEA.
These authors coming together to give us a truly real feel story of two people who feel they are too broken to love yet each piece fits with the other and they are so perfect for each other.
Benjamin was in the army and lost friends and a piece of himself. Feels that is heart is black. Jill has so much doubt about how amazing she is with her friend's in her corner, she comes to see that she has to learn to trust and take her heart out of its protective lock box.
The secondary characters hold such an importance to the story. They all make you feel welcome into their lives and the power of friendship gives them that push that they were both afraid to take on their own.
These two are the most beautiful broken people you'll have the pleasure to read about. Not to give anything away but they have got THE. MOST. ORIGINAL. AND. THOUGHT. OUT. PROPOSAL. EVER. I was teary eyed.
The proposal alone is worth reading this book but as soon as you open it, you'll be pulled in and fall in love these characters even though at times you want to put them in the corner and yell at them to see what each has to offer because believe me they are not broken, they are beautiful.
The writing duo did more than a fantastic job. They managed to bring the book world to life and breath fresh air of acceptance, self-worth, trust, survival, friendships, family and unbroken love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Meet Ben: He's tall, dark, handsome, and broken (but a big softy inside)! ;) Meet Jill : She's feisty, strong, successful, beautiful and broken. Two broken souls making each other whole. I fell in love with this story since their first encounter. The Heroine didn't immediately fall under Ben's charm which only made Ben's chase pretty entertaining (and let me tell you, she made him work for it).
“You aren’t going to tell me your name?” Jesus, I sound like a desperate idiot who’s never seen a beautiful woman before.
Everything seemed to be going well until a misunderstanding messes everything up. But that's all I'm going to say.
This book had all the elements that I'm always looking for: Steamy scenes Great steamy scenes *fans myself* Romance Ben could be really romantic and caring. Jill was also pretty romantic with the gift she gave Ben. Some humor There were certain scenes that had me laughing. Good friends that are there for each other. I really loved the other characters and how they helped Ben with his "Operation Get Jill" plan. (I need to find their books--pronto!)
I will be definitely reading more books from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jill guards her heart above all else. She has tried to be open to love in the past only to get her heart smashed into a million pieces. The thought of trusting someone with her heart is just beyond her ability to believe as a possibility. Benjamin lost part of his leg in combat and at the same time lost his best friend. He has become bitter and cold hearted believing that he is a broken man that is not lovable because he is not complete. Ben meets Jill at a party and something sparks in his heart. Jill runs as far and fast as possible but Ben pursues her because there is something about her that calls to him. The up and down journey to their HEA is fraught with many emotions, self reflection and healing as they each find what they need to become whole in each other.
This was a very emotional read for me. I was touched and moved by the steps Ben had taken in his life to not only try to find himself but what he had done for other veterans that needed someone to care. Both of them had great people supporting them around and they really filled in the edges of the story.
This one is worth your time and your one click.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I’ve read from either author. It certainly didn’t disappoint. I do feel the need to read the books that these characters came from though, as I feel I am missing just a bit of back story. Bonus is that I get to know all the other characters better, because the story of Drew and Hannah sounds crazy good ! As far as Ben and Jill go, she frustrated me just a bit but I loved Ben’s determination to win her over. Ben has overcome a lot in his life since his time in the military and his confidence is a wonderful thing to witness, esp the hand he's been dealt. Having a brother who served in the Marines and he himself was driving a tank as he ran over an IED, I realize how lucky he was to have come out unscathed. So hearing Ben talk about his incident really hit close to home and brought out all the feels. Ups and downs, happy and sad, funny and frustrating, sexy and silly, this book has it all. And a NYE you’ll never forget ! 🇺🇸
I loved Breaking Benjamin. It was a heartwarming read that had me reaching for my tissue box a couple of times. The characters are very lovable, especially Benjamin.
Benjamin is a beautiful man with a heart of gold. He would tell people differently but it’s true. After some terribly tragic events happen Benjamin returns home from the military believing he’s broken and unworthy of love. That is until Jill entered his life. She’s a ray of light, a shining beacon in his sea of darkness that has him daring to hope for someone to love him, broken pieces and all.
“I’ll take your heart and I’ll keep it safe, because I love you, too. More than I ever thought possible.”
Benjamin and Jill’s story is one I recommend reading.
Breaking Benjamin is co-written by Michelle Windsor and Haylee Thorne. With co-written books sometimes it's easy to tell who wrote what but with this story it all flows as if the same writer wrote it. Nice Job!!!
All of the characters were well written and developed. I wanted to tell the m to smarten up a few times and I loved the female friendships in this story. For the most part, the friendships were all about building each other up, not tearing them down.
There are many secondary characters in the story that feel complete. I'm going to search through the author's back lists to see if they have been previously written about because they intrigued me also.