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Verdant String #1
Breakaway
Sofie lives in the shadow of Felicitos--the tethered way station built to funnel Garmen's mineral wealth up to the top of the atmosphere, where it's loaded onto space ships. Because Garmen is a breakaway planet, not part of the Verdant String Coalition, the companies that control it are free to run things as they see fit, and Sofie is part of the resistance that wants to end their rule.
Her main goal, though, is to get away from Garmen altogether, and leave the drudgery and violence behind her. That goal is complicated by her involvement with Leo Gaudier, a shadowy crime lord whose ability to cheat the companies that own Garmen is something she admires. And when she stumbles on a terrible new direction the companies are taking, a secret alliance that will endanger everyone she cares about, she sees her chances of escape slipping away.
Leo is all too aware he doesn't know enough about Sofie, something his own security detail is not slow to point out, but he can't keep away. When Sofie reveals her links to the resistance, and shows him those in control of Garmen have begun swimming in dangerous waters, he realizes his plan to overthrown them in a careful operation of a thousand cuts is no longer workable.
The time has come for a single, lethal strike--and that will not be without consequences . . .
Her main goal, though, is to get away from Garmen altogether, and leave the drudgery and violence behind her. That goal is complicated by her involvement with Leo Gaudier, a shadowy crime lord whose ability to cheat the companies that own Garmen is something she admires. And when she stumbles on a terrible new direction the companies are taking, a secret alliance that will endanger everyone she cares about, she sees her chances of escape slipping away.
Leo is all too aware he doesn't know enough about Sofie, something his own security detail is not slow to point out, but he can't keep away. When Sofie reveals her links to the resistance, and shows him those in control of Garmen have begun swimming in dangerous waters, he realizes his plan to overthrown them in a careful operation of a thousand cuts is no longer workable.
The time has come for a single, lethal strike--and that will not be without consequences . . .
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2018
628 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Diener
59 books1,921 followersMichelle Diener is a bestselling, award-winning author of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Having worked in publishing and IT, she's now very happy crafting new worlds and interesting characters.
Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.
Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
January 7, 2021
Note: This book is not the first in the series, even though it's technically #1. You need to start with the prequel novellas, Interference / Insurgency, since they take care of a lot of world-building. Plus they're really good for novellas.
I'm really enjoying this series so far. It's a combination of Sci Fi lite and Romance lite that works for me. I previously really liked Diener's Class 5 series, but wasn't too thrilled with Sky Raiders because it lacked the multi-cultural space opera intrigue and felt more dystopian to me (I only read the first one).
Now with the Verdant String, I feel like Diener has returned to form. It's been a while since I was tempted to binge read a series, but I seem to be doing so with this one!
I'm really enjoying this series so far. It's a combination of Sci Fi lite and Romance lite that works for me. I previously really liked Diener's Class 5 series, but wasn't too thrilled with Sky Raiders because it lacked the multi-cultural space opera intrigue and felt more dystopian to me (I only read the first one).
Now with the Verdant String, I feel like Diener has returned to form. It's been a while since I was tempted to binge read a series, but I seem to be doing so with this one!
August 8, 2022
This is first in a sci-fi romance but a lot of people say you should read the pre-novellas first. I disagree and think this is a perfectly fine starting point. I may have a section at the bottom that goes into the boring reasons why.
I read the pre-novellas three and a half years ago and then the mood left and I never picked this one up. That may be for the best, I dunno, but being in the mood this time, I very much enjoyed this story. I was actually expecting it to be a lot like the author's Class 5 series but was pleasantly surprised with the differences. Oh, the main characters are largely the same types but it turns out that the background and plot make a big difference to me and those are very different, here.
The main difference is that all the characters are human and share the same background. Which means that the main lead, Sofie, not only has all the gumption, but she is familiar with her milieu and knows how to express her power effectively. I loved this more than a little. And I loved even more how, when the hero is all "Imma leave so you don't get hurt because I'm a stupid man" she's all "well, let me know when you get over yourself".
So. Very. Attractive!
And Leo wasn't bad once he started learning to get over himself. He has his own power, too, and he has that protective thing I like in a guy. Once he channeled that instinct to better purpose, he was very sweet.
And the plot was interesting and engaging and the pace is spanking and I enjoyed myself immensely. This is a great example of the sci-fi romance as a genre and I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series. I'm happy to give it all five stars, though with the caveat that it is very much of its genre and that means both the romance and the the sci-fi are likely shallower than you'd expect if they weren't mixing tropes and expectations.
A note about the background: The pre-novellas led me to believe it was all going to be about the special blue-haired girls and them being targets of pity and jealousy and junk. I'm totally relieved that isn't the case. Those stories give you a bit of detail about the whole "Verdant String" as a concept, but I think that actually does the series a disservice. I prefer the vague picture of them in this story as the benevolent society that has structure and the rule of law. That up-close picture in those novellas showed warts that aren't really interesting to me. Also, being novellas, the romances didn't really work, either. Not that I can remember that very well, mind. I mean, it's been nearer four years than three and my memory is bad enough that I started writing reviews so I'd remember what I think of books I've read...
A note about Steamy: Diener definitely has a pattern with her steam—i.e. she doesn't really have much. She generally includes enough foreplay to tease into the sex bits, but then goes dark about it. I don't mind that because she does perfectly fine establishing their intimacy in all the important ways just fine. But if you have steam expectations, this one is in line with her others and what I call barely enough to trip the tag.
I read the pre-novellas three and a half years ago and then the mood left and I never picked this one up. That may be for the best, I dunno, but being in the mood this time, I very much enjoyed this story. I was actually expecting it to be a lot like the author's Class 5 series but was pleasantly surprised with the differences. Oh, the main characters are largely the same types but it turns out that the background and plot make a big difference to me and those are very different, here.
The main difference is that all the characters are human and share the same background. Which means that the main lead, Sofie, not only has all the gumption, but she is familiar with her milieu and knows how to express her power effectively. I loved this more than a little. And I loved even more how, when the hero is all "Imma leave so you don't get hurt because I'm a stupid man" she's all "well, let me know when you get over yourself".
So. Very. Attractive!
And Leo wasn't bad once he started learning to get over himself. He has his own power, too, and he has that protective thing I like in a guy. Once he channeled that instinct to better purpose, he was very sweet.
And the plot was interesting and engaging and the pace is spanking and I enjoyed myself immensely. This is a great example of the sci-fi romance as a genre and I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series. I'm happy to give it all five stars, though with the caveat that it is very much of its genre and that means both the romance and the the sci-fi are likely shallower than you'd expect if they weren't mixing tropes and expectations.
A note about the background: The pre-novellas led me to believe it was all going to be about the special blue-haired girls and them being targets of pity and jealousy and junk. I'm totally relieved that isn't the case. Those stories give you a bit of detail about the whole "Verdant String" as a concept, but I think that actually does the series a disservice. I prefer the vague picture of them in this story as the benevolent society that has structure and the rule of law. That up-close picture in those novellas showed warts that aren't really interesting to me. Also, being novellas, the romances didn't really work, either. Not that I can remember that very well, mind. I mean, it's been nearer four years than three and my memory is bad enough that I started writing reviews so I'd remember what I think of books I've read...
A note about Steamy: Diener definitely has a pattern with her steam—i.e. she doesn't really have much. She generally includes enough foreplay to tease into the sex bits, but then goes dark about it. I don't mind that because she does perfectly fine establishing their intimacy in all the important ways just fine. But if you have steam expectations, this one is in line with her others and what I call barely enough to trip the tag.
August 4, 2020
I liked it. What I liked more than the MCs is the background story about the Verdant String planets!
I like that every novel is almost a standalone, but they're all connected with that background!
I like that every novel is almost a standalone, but they're all connected with that background!
May 31, 2018
This is the first full length story set in the Verdant String universe. Essentially it’s a group of planets that have formed a coalition to benefit all their citizens and if you are interested in more background there are two prequels Interference and Insurgency which as I type are available as a wee box set. Now I’ve mentioned those who are part of the Verdant String but this story is about Garmen one of the two planets that have broken away to become independent . Life on this mining planet is rough, dangerous and totally lawless and yet the Corporations in charge rule with an iron fist. No outside communications, no education and do as you are told or die because there is no escape from Garmen ever !
This story revolves around Sofie, the daughter of the genius architect who created the high tech buildings that allow those known as the Cores to control everything. Sofie has had such a hard life and dreams of finally getting away from Garmen and somehow getting justice for those who suffer daily. She’s just getting to know Leo a somewhat shady businessman when he’s attacked by his own security proving that in this cutthroat world anyone can be bought. Sofie saves Leo but unfortunately it raises her profile and soon they seem to be relying on each other but Sofie has a secret and ironically it connects her to Leo in ways neither of them ever imagined !
Ok I will be brutal here and say I didn’t actually feel that drawn in initially but I persevered as I’ve previously enjoyed this authors Class 5 series and I’m so glad I did. You see about thirty percent in ( tiny spoiler ) Sofie gets abducted and then everything just kicks off. I loved how everything connected and as things began to escalate yet again it was the ever resourceful and courageous Sofie that led the way. Obviously there are other characters to round out the story and Leo as her love interest but for this reader it was Sofie who shone the brightest. If you have read the prequels then a certain character makes an appearance here but honestly if it wasn’t for brave, self sacrificing Sofie I don’t think even he would have made a difference. There is a tiny bit of world building away from the way station that dominates so many lives but oddly not enough to make it feel very alien. It does feel futuristic with technology but it did seem as if everything revolves around greed and power . Bottom line is as much as I enjoy a romance it was Sofie who kept me engrossed and I’m left waiting to see what the author dreams up next.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
This story revolves around Sofie, the daughter of the genius architect who created the high tech buildings that allow those known as the Cores to control everything. Sofie has had such a hard life and dreams of finally getting away from Garmen and somehow getting justice for those who suffer daily. She’s just getting to know Leo a somewhat shady businessman when he’s attacked by his own security proving that in this cutthroat world anyone can be bought. Sofie saves Leo but unfortunately it raises her profile and soon they seem to be relying on each other but Sofie has a secret and ironically it connects her to Leo in ways neither of them ever imagined !
Ok I will be brutal here and say I didn’t actually feel that drawn in initially but I persevered as I’ve previously enjoyed this authors Class 5 series and I’m so glad I did. You see about thirty percent in ( tiny spoiler ) Sofie gets abducted and then everything just kicks off. I loved how everything connected and as things began to escalate yet again it was the ever resourceful and courageous Sofie that led the way. Obviously there are other characters to round out the story and Leo as her love interest but for this reader it was Sofie who shone the brightest. If you have read the prequels then a certain character makes an appearance here but honestly if it wasn’t for brave, self sacrificing Sofie I don’t think even he would have made a difference. There is a tiny bit of world building away from the way station that dominates so many lives but oddly not enough to make it feel very alien. It does feel futuristic with technology but it did seem as if everything revolves around greed and power . Bottom line is as much as I enjoy a romance it was Sofie who kept me engrossed and I’m left waiting to see what the author dreams up next.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
June 4, 2018
Well this is the first novel in Michelle Diener's new SF/Drama/Thriller/Romance and I loved it. There are multiple characters and plots going on here but the fact is there is no "bad guy" as much is there is more of an evil conglomerate.
Sofie and Leo are both in the "don't trust anybody" camp so this is a bit of a problem for the romance but it is almost an insta-love but not quite, the reason for the quick jump into the romance is because there is a ton of drama, some mystery and people trying to kill one or both of them (kinda messes with a romance).
I loved it, was kinda hard to get pulled into this story until you get a few chapters into it and then things start picking up, some stuff is revealed that makes things a lot more interesting and just overall a great story. If you read the "Class Five" series this is on that level of entertainment.
I should mention one of best things about this story is that it does not really leave anything undone and can be read pretty much as a stand alone if desired, I think I can see where the next book might be going but at this point it would just be a guess since she does provide the reader with a good ending and no cliffhanger or teasers for the next book.
4 Stars and highly recommended.
Sofie and Leo are both in the "don't trust anybody" camp so this is a bit of a problem for the romance but it is almost an insta-love but not quite, the reason for the quick jump into the romance is because there is a ton of drama, some mystery and people trying to kill one or both of them (kinda messes with a romance).
I loved it, was kinda hard to get pulled into this story until you get a few chapters into it and then things start picking up, some stuff is revealed that makes things a lot more interesting and just overall a great story. If you read the "Class Five" series this is on that level of entertainment.
I should mention one of best things about this story is that it does not really leave anything undone and can be read pretty much as a stand alone if desired, I think I can see where the next book might be going but at this point it would just be a guess since she does provide the reader with a good ending and no cliffhanger or teasers for the next book.
4 Stars and highly recommended.
March 12, 2019
I love Ms. Diener’s science fiction romance.
Her story is not just about an Alien Male need woman from earth only, lol.
So, nope! This is not an erotica book! 😉
There always something interesting in it which really pulled me in, in this one that clever building.
Wow, it doesn’t matter his state of minds while build it, the architect was really a genius ❤️
Also, love these H/h and I’m going to continue to read this series ❤️.
Why is not 5 stars?
Didn’t like the abrupt ending much.
The story of this world will continue though, only with different H/h.
Her story is not just about an Alien Male need woman from earth only, lol.
So, nope! This is not an erotica book! 😉
There always something interesting in it which really pulled me in, in this one that clever building.
Wow, it doesn’t matter his state of minds while build it, the architect was really a genius ❤️
Also, love these H/h and I’m going to continue to read this series ❤️.
Why is not 5 stars?
Didn’t like the abrupt ending much.
The story of this world will continue though, only with different H/h.
July 28, 2025
Review from 4/13/23:
Terrific SF romance
This story is a perfect combination of romance and action adventure. Sofie and Leo are well matched. They are both dynamic, honorable, highly sympathetic protagonists. The world building in this story is fascinating, and the action is enthralling and well motivated. This novel is a terrific lead-in to what promises to be a wonderful series. I have purchased every book in this series, and I am happily looking forward to reading them all. I plan to read them in order.
Reread 7/28/25: I enjoyed this book just as much the second time. It's a real keeper.
Terrific SF romance
This story is a perfect combination of romance and action adventure. Sofie and Leo are well matched. They are both dynamic, honorable, highly sympathetic protagonists. The world building in this story is fascinating, and the action is enthralling and well motivated. This novel is a terrific lead-in to what promises to be a wonderful series. I have purchased every book in this series, and I am happily looking forward to reading them all. I plan to read them in order.
Reread 7/28/25: I enjoyed this book just as much the second time. It's a real keeper.
April 16, 2022
Maybe this isn't truly a 5 star read, but I just enjoyed the heck out of it and devoured it over a weekend.
This story picks up after the two short stories Interference / Insurgency that you don't have to read first, but they will add a lot to your reading enjoyment if you do.
Sophie is a special snowflake who kicks serious ass, when she's not jumping from one moving hover vehicle to another.
She grew up on Garmen, one of the Breakaway planets in the Verdant String, where greed and mobsters rule. The story opens with her on a date with one of the mobsters, but he's a small time mobster. There's no love lost between Leo and the 'Cores' who are the planet ruling mobsters.
Before you know it, she's kicking Mobster butt and saving Leo's life and I was HOOKED!
Leo's character was a little unbelievable. He's supposed to be a kinda Robin Hood criminal, but he doesn't come across as hardened enough. I loved how smitten he was with Sophie, right from the first! But Leo's back story was pretty interesting.
I loved the detailed world building, and the science in the fiction.
Sophie is recovering from grief over her sister who was killed a few years earlier and has had her head in the sand as she dealt with her loss. Now that she starts to take stock of what's going on, events spiral out of control and there are many hands stirring the pot of intrigue.
The ending was a little to quick and kinda deus ex machina, but I still loved it!
safety is good
This story picks up after the two short stories Interference / Insurgency that you don't have to read first, but they will add a lot to your reading enjoyment if you do.
Sophie is a special snowflake who kicks serious ass, when she's not jumping from one moving hover vehicle to another.
She grew up on Garmen, one of the Breakaway planets in the Verdant String, where greed and mobsters rule. The story opens with her on a date with one of the mobsters, but he's a small time mobster. There's no love lost between Leo and the 'Cores' who are the planet ruling mobsters.
Before you know it, she's kicking Mobster butt and saving Leo's life and I was HOOKED!
Leo's character was a little unbelievable. He's supposed to be a kinda Robin Hood criminal, but he doesn't come across as hardened enough. I loved how smitten he was with Sophie, right from the first! But Leo's back story was pretty interesting.
I loved the detailed world building, and the science in the fiction.
Sophie is recovering from grief over her sister who was killed a few years earlier and has had her head in the sand as she dealt with her loss. Now that she starts to take stock of what's going on, events spiral out of control and there are many hands stirring the pot of intrigue.
The ending was a little to quick and kinda deus ex machina, but I still loved it!
safety is good
July 18, 2018
Let me clarify a few points first:
-I believe that you won't get much of the story if you don't read the prequel first. Yes everything is hinted here, but the real problem is that what thin world building this series has is better explained in book one.
-It is a very, very, very short novel.
- This book isn't exactly sci fi nor romance. It lacks too much to be either: as I said the plot is very thin and so is world building. But even as romance I struggled a lot. Where exactly is the love? Everything happens in a week or so. They have barely met (3 dates before the beginning) and in a few day they topple their own lifes and rules (and a ruling Corps). And you really don't see the reasons why.
And here comes my nits.
-They both betray lifetime commitments for a person they have just met and for no reason, except author. She blabbers her secrets without knowing if he is trustworthy. Same for him.
- Really flat characters.
-The heroine is wonder woman, literally:
--She knows how to fight, she's a daredevil able to jumps between moving vehicles (a la Mission Impossibile) along vertical lines moreover (think elevator). And it's never explained why or how she learned such skills
--She saves the world from self destroying. Twice. She saves him from an assassin. Thrice. Same as above...
--She's better at being a spy than a CIA operative in a 1950 propaganda movie :)
--She's made of teflon: nothing scratches, nothing stucks to it, whatever it is done to her she's able to avoid it, if dangerous, laugh about it/ forgives it if it's a betrayal or the like. Sunny dispositions are nice. Pollyannish not so much..
So this book was a major disappointment for me. . But as I usually like this author I think my being letdown is due to the theme of the book that I can't believe should be treated this lightly (revolution against forms of slavery, global companies greed, the dissolution of society..). A useless background..
If you touch some darkness you can't make it light...
But you you should try one of her books, they are 'light' but not fluffy (and usually better than this).
-I believe that you won't get much of the story if you don't read the prequel first. Yes everything is hinted here, but the real problem is that what thin world building this series has is better explained in book one.
-It is a very, very, very short novel.
- This book isn't exactly sci fi nor romance. It lacks too much to be either: as I said the plot is very thin and so is world building. But even as romance I struggled a lot. Where exactly is the love? Everything happens in a week or so. They have barely met (3 dates before the beginning) and in a few day they topple their own lifes and rules (and a ruling Corps). And you really don't see the reasons why.
And here comes my nits.
-They both betray lifetime commitments for a person they have just met and for no reason, except author. She blabbers her secrets without knowing if he is trustworthy. Same for him.
- Really flat characters.
-The heroine is wonder woman, literally:
--She knows how to fight, she's a daredevil able to jumps between moving vehicles (a la Mission Impossibile) along vertical lines moreover (think elevator). And it's never explained why or how she learned such skills
--She saves the world from self destroying. Twice. She saves him from an assassin. Thrice. Same as above...
--She's better at being a spy than a CIA operative in a 1950 propaganda movie :)
--She's made of teflon: nothing scratches, nothing stucks to it, whatever it is done to her she's able to avoid it, if dangerous, laugh about it/ forgives it if it's a betrayal or the like. Sunny dispositions are nice. Pollyannish not so much..
So this book was a major disappointment for me. . But as I usually like this author I think my being letdown is due to the theme of the book that I can't believe should be treated this lightly (revolution against forms of slavery, global companies greed, the dissolution of society..). A useless background..
If you touch some darkness you can't make it light...
But you you should try one of her books, they are 'light' but not fluffy (and usually better than this).
October 3, 2023
I enjoy this author, but she tends to repeat a couple themes that keep her good books from being great books.
We've got a super awesome FMC who has seen some shit but is still basically sunshine.
A MMC who leads a team of people who are skeptical of the FMC, and kind of shitty to her. Like, in this book I was ready to punch Finkle in the fucking throat.
And the awesome FMC bends over backwards to help everyone, including people who don't deserve it. Just one time, I'd like to see the FMC in these books tell people to fuck off. In this book, it was most egregious (imo) at the mines. So here's the info: her father, genius engineer and designer, created a hack for the weigh station to under-report the weight by 20%, so the shitty overlords would take a smaller amount as the tax/royalty/bullshit buyout. And then he and the miners split the profit on that 20% ... 50/50. When he died (evil overlords murdered him), his two daughters were left destitute. The miners continued to profit from his hack, but kept it all to divvy among themselves, while Sofie and her sister Rach starved. A couple visited her in that first year after Dad died, and gave the girls a few credits, which Sofie says they never understood. Guilt money, she understands now that she got the info on this weigh station (she was a kid - barely turned 18 when he died - so dad hadn't looped her in). Well, in this book, Dad's hack failed - well, not failed exactly, it seems he had it set to expire on a timer - and they want her to help figure out how to reset it.
Why doesn't she tell them to eat shit and die?
It is hard, really hard, to respect a fucking doormat. The only thing she owes those miners is her contempt. I give the MMC a pass here - he picked up on Dad's end of things, providing the transportation for a cut - but he didn't know the guy had unsupported daughters, or that his family had no access to his fortune. And he was young too, trying to keep himself from starving after his mom died, stepping into huge shoes and trying to figure it out. He didn't know, and didn't go looking, and I can understand that. But those miners who tried to assuage their conscience by tossing the girls a few credits... fuck them. I'd tell them I will try to help when you pay me for my father's cut of the last 8 years. No? Then good luck not getting murdered when the Core investigates the weird reports and finds out you've been stealing from them for nearly a decade, fuckers.
I liked the book, but the martyr doormat thing is fucking exhausting. It will keep this author off my favorites list, for sure.
We've got a super awesome FMC who has seen some shit but is still basically sunshine.
A MMC who leads a team of people who are skeptical of the FMC, and kind of shitty to her. Like, in this book I was ready to punch Finkle in the fucking throat.
And the awesome FMC bends over backwards to help everyone, including people who don't deserve it. Just one time, I'd like to see the FMC in these books tell people to fuck off. In this book, it was most egregious (imo) at the mines. So here's the info: her father, genius engineer and designer, created a hack for the weigh station to under-report the weight by 20%, so the shitty overlords would take a smaller amount as the tax/royalty/bullshit buyout. And then he and the miners split the profit on that 20% ... 50/50. When he died (evil overlords murdered him), his two daughters were left destitute. The miners continued to profit from his hack, but kept it all to divvy among themselves, while Sofie and her sister Rach starved. A couple visited her in that first year after Dad died, and gave the girls a few credits, which Sofie says they never understood. Guilt money, she understands now that she got the info on this weigh station (she was a kid - barely turned 18 when he died - so dad hadn't looped her in). Well, in this book, Dad's hack failed - well, not failed exactly, it seems he had it set to expire on a timer - and they want her to help figure out how to reset it.
Why doesn't she tell them to eat shit and die?
It is hard, really hard, to respect a fucking doormat. The only thing she owes those miners is her contempt. I give the MMC a pass here - he picked up on Dad's end of things, providing the transportation for a cut - but he didn't know the guy had unsupported daughters, or that his family had no access to his fortune. And he was young too, trying to keep himself from starving after his mom died, stepping into huge shoes and trying to figure it out. He didn't know, and didn't go looking, and I can understand that. But those miners who tried to assuage their conscience by tossing the girls a few credits... fuck them. I'd tell them I will try to help when you pay me for my father's cut of the last 8 years. No? Then good luck not getting murdered when the Core investigates the weird reports and finds out you've been stealing from them for nearly a decade, fuckers.
I liked the book, but the martyr doormat thing is fucking exhausting. It will keep this author off my favorites list, for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2019
Fun, fast-paced and exciting science fiction adventure with a strong romantic thread. (I'd call it romantic science fiction rather than all-out science fiction romance - the couple is already on their third date in the opening, and there's no doubt from the beginning that they're in love and will continue to be so.)
The hero is a Robin Hood-style criminal mastermind working for all the right reasons within a corrupt and oppressive space station run by a truly evil set of companies that have turned immigrants (and their children) into indentured servants, unable to leave. Leo is using his criminal organization to do all the right things for the most vulnerable people there, and he's the sweetest, nicest and most moral crime-lord you can imagine...which might stretch plausibility a bit but certainly makes him a way more sympathetic hero to follow. The heroine, though, Sofie, is just 100% undiluted AWESOME - think Scarlet Widow, working for the resistance. She's the one who saves him (and everyone else), over and over again, with truly fantastic moves - and he looooves that she can do it, which is really fun to watch.
All the real focus in this book is on the breathless action/adventure, which means that there's not a lot of emotional intensity because there's just not a lot of time for it - but I really enjoyed Sofie and Leo's relationship (especially once all of the secrets between them are out, which happens fairly quickly), and I'd basically read about Sofie doing ANYTHING. I'll definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
The hero is a Robin Hood-style criminal mastermind working for all the right reasons within a corrupt and oppressive space station run by a truly evil set of companies that have turned immigrants (and their children) into indentured servants, unable to leave. Leo is using his criminal organization to do all the right things for the most vulnerable people there, and he's the sweetest, nicest and most moral crime-lord you can imagine...which might stretch plausibility a bit but certainly makes him a way more sympathetic hero to follow. The heroine, though, Sofie, is just 100% undiluted AWESOME - think Scarlet Widow, working for the resistance. She's the one who saves him (and everyone else), over and over again, with truly fantastic moves - and he looooves that she can do it, which is really fun to watch.
All the real focus in this book is on the breathless action/adventure, which means that there's not a lot of emotional intensity because there's just not a lot of time for it - but I really enjoyed Sofie and Leo's relationship (especially once all of the secrets between them are out, which happens fairly quickly), and I'd basically read about Sofie doing ANYTHING. I'll definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
December 9, 2025
Plot- fantastic, fast paced plot. The author creatively interwove lots of elements from the two prequel novellas, Interference and Insurgency. Kept my interest the entire time. I love the sci-fi setting! Well done!
Romance- They are together at the beginning and quickly become committed, but the chemistry still manages to be pretty darn good. Great communication. Their romance makes the plot even more engaging.
Writing- great writing, characterization, pacing and world building.
Characters- multiple POV. I liked how all the characters were developed. The FMC and MMC were great! There were a bunch of fantastic side characters that were all likable and trust worthy.
Cliffhanger - no. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content-
Language- some swearing
Spice- a couple fade to black scenes, only one of them had very brief explicit content before pulling the curtain.
Format- KU
How I rated this series-
(Each book is a standalone, although they do sometimes build on each other in the grander space opera storyline.)
#0.5 Interference/Insurgency - 5 stars
#1 Breakaway- 5 stars
#2 Breakeven - 5 stars
#3 Trailblazer - 5 stars
#4 High Flyer - 4 stars
#5 Wave Rider - 3.5 stars
#6 Peace Maker - 4 stars
#7 Enthraller - haven’t read yet
Romance- They are together at the beginning and quickly become committed, but the chemistry still manages to be pretty darn good. Great communication. Their romance makes the plot even more engaging.
Writing- great writing, characterization, pacing and world building.
Characters- multiple POV. I liked how all the characters were developed. The FMC and MMC were great! There were a bunch of fantastic side characters that were all likable and trust worthy.
Cliffhanger - no. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content-
Language- some swearing
Spice- a couple fade to black scenes, only one of them had very brief explicit content before pulling the curtain.
Format- KU
How I rated this series-
(Each book is a standalone, although they do sometimes build on each other in the grander space opera storyline.)
#0.5 Interference/Insurgency - 5 stars
#1 Breakaway- 5 stars
#2 Breakeven - 5 stars
#3 Trailblazer - 5 stars
#4 High Flyer - 4 stars
#5 Wave Rider - 3.5 stars
#6 Peace Maker - 4 stars
#7 Enthraller - haven’t read yet
August 24, 2022
Breakaway has all the elements I love in a Diener book: strong female lead, perfectly paced slow-burn romance, and exciting action that unravels a clever mystery. And of course, Diener’s trademark story thread is in full force; where the heroine and hero are always stronger working together. I mean, get this, each time Sofie saves Leo’s life (it’s several) he just lovers her more for it. THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is Swoony right there.
September 7, 2019
Wow. That was a tough read.
If you're looking for something easy and addicting to read, this is not it.
The heroine does everything for those around her, but no one ever does anything for her. Which is great in a way, she doesn't need anyone to help her, she's smart and independent, but I just felt like she was carrying the team the whole time. The hero just cares about keeping her safe, ALL THE TIME. Even when she's saved him no less than 3 times.
I felt very little emotions reading this. We're supposed to think about the kids that aren't receiving education, aren't getting basic necessities, etc. but we never really get to see any of this. It just offhand comments about how the gen pop is getting the short end in this whole civilization.
The romance was weak in this one. I didn't mind the fade to black sex scenes, but in thinking we missed a lot of the relationship development because of it. All I saw was the Hero breaking things off with the h for her own safety, them being reunited because of a third assassination attempt, they go on a few espionage dates, and then they're suddenly in love and together forever. It didn't make sense to my romantic heart.
I also thought he kept her around because she had access to all the secret tunnels. I mean, of course he has to keep her around now that he knows that! The writing even hints at that being the case. He wants to be with her because he loves her and can't stay away, not because she's the physical key to everything he's been trying to achieve his entire life. Yeah, right.
This book was so confusing. All the politics, war threats, different groups and worlds and organizations? They lost me. I didn't even try to understand it towards the end. I just needed to see the basics of how everything was going to be resolved.
To top it all off, no epilogue. The series continues, but will we find out if they built a new life on the same planet? Had kids? Rebuilt the city? Probably not.
If you're looking for something easy and addicting to read, this is not it.
The heroine does everything for those around her, but no one ever does anything for her. Which is great in a way, she doesn't need anyone to help her, she's smart and independent, but I just felt like she was carrying the team the whole time. The hero just cares about keeping her safe, ALL THE TIME. Even when she's saved him no less than 3 times.
I felt very little emotions reading this. We're supposed to think about the kids that aren't receiving education, aren't getting basic necessities, etc. but we never really get to see any of this. It just offhand comments about how the gen pop is getting the short end in this whole civilization.
The romance was weak in this one. I didn't mind the fade to black sex scenes, but in thinking we missed a lot of the relationship development because of it. All I saw was the Hero breaking things off with the h for her own safety, them being reunited because of a third assassination attempt, they go on a few espionage dates, and then they're suddenly in love and together forever. It didn't make sense to my romantic heart.
I also thought he kept her around because she had access to all the secret tunnels. I mean, of course he has to keep her around now that he knows that! The writing even hints at that being the case. He wants to be with her because he loves her and can't stay away, not because she's the physical key to everything he's been trying to achieve his entire life. Yeah, right.
This book was so confusing. All the politics, war threats, different groups and worlds and organizations? They lost me. I didn't even try to understand it towards the end. I just needed to see the basics of how everything was going to be resolved.
To top it all off, no epilogue. The series continues, but will we find out if they built a new life on the same planet? Had kids? Rebuilt the city? Probably not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2020
This was the first book in the series, yet I felt at a distinct disadvantage as I began this tale, having not read any prequels set in this world. The world building was overly complicated, repetitive and just too often failed to make sense. I couldn't seem to get a picture in my head of which group was which, what their agenda was, nor how the planet was set up.
Worse, the romance seemed to have started off page. As Sofie and Leo are on their third date when we join them. I'm sorry, but that's just lazy story-telling on behalf of the author.
My next problem with the book was the syntax. Short, sharp, often technical. Some of these sentences just didn't make sense. And the occasional editing, grammatical error didn't do this any favours.
And then we have the characters - Sofie did not need Leo for one damn thing. Not a single thing (well, other than sex) She was a total ninja, saving his life as least 4 times, often at great risk to her own - through instinct, knowledge and luck she does so time and time again rather seamlessly. She knows all the secrets of the station, can go anywhere. Leo, kind of stands around and does... not much of anything but get in Sofie's way, causing her more difficulties, and hurting her feelings because he often tries to sideline her to keep her safe - seriously? Doofus, she's saved your life like one hundred times get out of her god damn way.
I kept questioning how Leo had risen so high in society and was so-called undermining the Cores??? Because he knows little, does less, and is willing to give everything up in a heartbeat for some woman he's been on 3 dates with. The man just wasn't very bright.
Not for me.
Worse, the romance seemed to have started off page. As Sofie and Leo are on their third date when we join them. I'm sorry, but that's just lazy story-telling on behalf of the author.
My next problem with the book was the syntax. Short, sharp, often technical. Some of these sentences just didn't make sense. And the occasional editing, grammatical error didn't do this any favours.
And then we have the characters - Sofie did not need Leo for one damn thing. Not a single thing (well, other than sex) She was a total ninja, saving his life as least 4 times, often at great risk to her own - through instinct, knowledge and luck she does so time and time again rather seamlessly. She knows all the secrets of the station, can go anywhere. Leo, kind of stands around and does... not much of anything but get in Sofie's way, causing her more difficulties, and hurting her feelings because he often tries to sideline her to keep her safe - seriously? Doofus, she's saved your life like one hundred times get out of her god damn way.
I kept questioning how Leo had risen so high in society and was so-called undermining the Cores??? Because he knows little, does less, and is willing to give everything up in a heartbeat for some woman he's been on 3 dates with. The man just wasn't very bright.
Not for me.
February 13, 2021
2.5 stars.
The world building was ok, but I'm getting the sense that I missed a lot of it by not reading the prequel novellas. As it was I didn't find this very engaging. Maybe this story was just not for me. Neither MC was all that compelling, and their individual backstories were missing something. If both of their stories were a little more fleshed out, I think the whole book would've been a lot more engaging.
I liked that there wasn't any OP drama and that the h wasn't some sad and pining miss, waiting for the H to notice her. Her character definitely made this story. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be reading the rest of this series. It just wasn't engaging enough.
The world building was ok, but I'm getting the sense that I missed a lot of it by not reading the prequel novellas. As it was I didn't find this very engaging. Maybe this story was just not for me. Neither MC was all that compelling, and their individual backstories were missing something. If both of their stories were a little more fleshed out, I think the whole book would've been a lot more engaging.
I liked that there wasn't any OP drama and that the h wasn't some sad and pining miss, waiting for the H to notice her. Her character definitely made this story. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be reading the rest of this series. It just wasn't engaging enough.
December 19, 2022
Great sci-fi romance! I’m not sure if the prequel novellas (which I did not read) already covered the foundation for Sofie and Leo’s relationship, but this first full length book in the series drops us into that relationship mid-stream. That left me feeling behind the eight-ball throughout. If not for that, this could have been an easy five star read!
July 20, 2023
Interesting story but I felt like I was playing catch up!
2023 reread! I upped my rating because I really enjoyed it this time! I hadn't read the prequel before reading this the first time! Now, it all meshes together!
2023 reread! I upped my rating because I really enjoyed it this time! I hadn't read the prequel before reading this the first time! Now, it all meshes together!
December 2, 2023
Decent.
FL/ Sofie:- a Core worker, who was also a part of the Resistance to overthrow the Core that has made Garmen a living hell. But it has been a year since she left the Resistance behind after the death of her sister. Circumstances, mainly surrounding Leo, however, thurst her right back into the world.
ML/ Leo:- an Independent wealthy businessman and crime lord, who takes every opportunity to hurt the Core. His goal is to destroy and rebuild Garmen as a better place with equality and justice.
Review:-
Garmen is one of the Breakaway planets, which Verdant String also refer to as greed planets. There is no law here except that of the Core which only assists them to make profit and more profit. One with money has some semblance of security, however. Others live in a world full of crime and death.
Sofie and Leo both met each other in a bar, and have been since then on two dates. It's the third date which proves to be deadly as assassin once again come after Leo in an act of betrayal. Sofie, though, saves his life.
This is one of those books that has more potential than it executed. There were pockets of paragraph or sub-plot connectors missing which would have made the ride hell lot of a more exciting and smoother.
The romance is nothing to write home about. No heat. It's just there. I wouldn’t call the moments between Leo and Sofie, a turn off; but they aren't exactly natural. They fell too eagerly for people who don't trust easily.
The thrill and the structure of Garmen is what does it and brings this book to a solid 3 stars. The plot has its moments of inspiration and that's what I kept looking forward to.
P.s. it's a start to a series, where hopefully ahead are books that eat up my hours with my full willingness.
FL/ Sofie:- a Core worker, who was also a part of the Resistance to overthrow the Core that has made Garmen a living hell. But it has been a year since she left the Resistance behind after the death of her sister. Circumstances, mainly surrounding Leo, however, thurst her right back into the world.
ML/ Leo:- an Independent wealthy businessman and crime lord, who takes every opportunity to hurt the Core. His goal is to destroy and rebuild Garmen as a better place with equality and justice.
Review:-
Garmen is one of the Breakaway planets, which Verdant String also refer to as greed planets. There is no law here except that of the Core which only assists them to make profit and more profit. One with money has some semblance of security, however. Others live in a world full of crime and death.
Sofie and Leo both met each other in a bar, and have been since then on two dates. It's the third date which proves to be deadly as assassin once again come after Leo in an act of betrayal. Sofie, though, saves his life.
This is one of those books that has more potential than it executed. There were pockets of paragraph or sub-plot connectors missing which would have made the ride hell lot of a more exciting and smoother.
The romance is nothing to write home about. No heat. It's just there. I wouldn’t call the moments between Leo and Sofie, a turn off; but they aren't exactly natural. They fell too eagerly for people who don't trust easily.
The thrill and the structure of Garmen is what does it and brings this book to a solid 3 stars. The plot has its moments of inspiration and that's what I kept looking forward to.
P.s. it's a start to a series, where hopefully ahead are books that eat up my hours with my full willingness.
August 3, 2024
Romance:
June 12, 2018
Action packed sci fi romance
This was a roller coaster plot filled with intrigue, resistance, and a side of romance. I loved the secret passages and short cuts!
I will get the next book that comes out!
This was a roller coaster plot filled with intrigue, resistance, and a side of romance. I loved the secret passages and short cuts!
I will get the next book that comes out!
October 16, 2018
4.5/5
A solid four star series for me, guys! Dynamic, tightly written and easy to read in one go. I sure hope that they will somehow tie to Class 5 series in the end, which were immensely entertaining on their own.
BREAKAWAY is a story of Sophie and Leo fighting evil corporations (Cores) running havoc on Garmen, a breakaway planet Cores pretty much own. Leo plays a self-made successful businessman, who in reality works to undermine Cores power and profits. Sophie is a proper action heroine and can be insanely brave and reckless which doesn't fit her sleek and stylish image of beautiful blonde working for higher ups of Garmen. In reality she is a Resistance agent who is binding her time to collect enough information to bring the Cores down.
These two are forced to work together when Sophie spectacularly thwarts an assassination attempt on Leo during their date together, and her cover is blown. After that the whole book is a wild ride, funny, sexy, with lovely chemistry between the main characters and Sophie's sparkling wit and incredible resourcefulness in between. To be honest, that gal rules and I absolutely loved her as a main heroine. She was level-headed and not prone to drama, which I really appreciate in Michelle Diener's heroines.
The ending was explosive, which made me look forward to the next book in series.
* * *
Отличная на четверку серия, дамы и господа. Динамичная, напичканная экшном и читается очень быстро. Я надеюсь, что Мишель Дьенэ все-таки привяжет ее к любимой мной серии Класс 5.
BREAKAWAY - история Софи и Лео, борющимся с злодейскими корпорациями (Корс) их отколовшейся от Федерации планеты, которой Корс фактически владеют и делают что хотят с ее жителями. Лео играет удачного независимого бизнесмена, который в реальности саботирует Корс и заставляет их терпеть финансовые неудачи. Софи - настоящий огонь и большая сорвиголова, что по ее виду элегантной изящной блондинки, работающей на боссов Корс совсем не скажешь. В реальности она - агент Сопротивления, которая постепенно собирает компромат на Корс, чтобы отослать его Федерации.
Её фасад рушится, когда она спасает Лео от наемного убийцы во время их свидания и после этого им приходится работать вместе. Готовьтесь к дикой скачке сюжета, хорошей романтической линии и юмору между главными героями. Софи в этой книге так и сверкает своим блестящим умом и смекалкой, и она жутко мне понравилась!
Концовка здесь довольно взрывная, и я с нетерпением жду продолжения.
A solid four star series for me, guys! Dynamic, tightly written and easy to read in one go. I sure hope that they will somehow tie to Class 5 series in the end, which were immensely entertaining on their own.
BREAKAWAY is a story of Sophie and Leo fighting evil corporations (Cores) running havoc on Garmen, a breakaway planet Cores pretty much own. Leo plays a self-made successful businessman, who in reality works to undermine Cores power and profits. Sophie is a proper action heroine and can be insanely brave and reckless which doesn't fit her sleek and stylish image of beautiful blonde working for higher ups of Garmen. In reality she is a Resistance agent who is binding her time to collect enough information to bring the Cores down.
These two are forced to work together when Sophie spectacularly thwarts an assassination attempt on Leo during their date together, and her cover is blown. After that the whole book is a wild ride, funny, sexy, with lovely chemistry between the main characters and Sophie's sparkling wit and incredible resourcefulness in between. To be honest, that gal rules and I absolutely loved her as a main heroine. She was level-headed and not prone to drama, which I really appreciate in Michelle Diener's heroines.
The ending was explosive, which made me look forward to the next book in series.
* * *
Отличная на четверку серия, дамы и господа. Динамичная, напичканная экшном и читается очень быстро. Я надеюсь, что Мишель Дьенэ все-таки привяжет ее к любимой мной серии Класс 5.
BREAKAWAY - история Софи и Лео, борющимся с злодейскими корпорациями (Корс) их отколовшейся от Федерации планеты, которой Корс фактически владеют и делают что хотят с ее жителями. Лео играет удачного независимого бизнесмена, который в реальности саботирует Корс и заставляет их терпеть финансовые неудачи. Софи - настоящий огонь и большая сорвиголова, что по ее виду элегантной изящной блондинки, работающей на боссов Корс совсем не скажешь. В реальности она - агент Сопротивления, которая постепенно собирает компромат на Корс, чтобы отослать его Федерации.
Её фасад рушится, когда она спасает Лео от наемного убийцы во время их свидания и после этого им приходится работать вместе. Готовьтесь к дикой скачке сюжета, хорошей романтической линии и юмору между главными героями. Софи в этой книге так и сверкает своим блестящим умом и смекалкой, и она жутко мне понравилась!
Концовка здесь довольно взрывная, и я с нетерпением жду продолжения.
September 16, 2022
***3.5***
Really, really hard toss-up between 3 and 4 stars. I really did enjoy it. I think maybe I just didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have liked. I'm all about some character-driven plots. But what we do know of the characters I really like. Our lead Leo is not an asshole. He does get a little protective, but to me, it's never over the top and he's always quick to apologize if he thinks he crosses a line. And Sofie is definitely not someone who needs saving all of the time. She is smart and quick. She knows what she wants and what she deserves. The politics of the planet and planet system, not to mention the infrastructure of the planet itself, is a little hard to grasp at first (this may be because I did NOT read the prequels) but by the end, I think I had the gist of it. There's a little bit of romance, a little bit of sci-fi action, a little bit of subterfuge, a little bit of underworld crime boss stuff, and a little bit of mystery and puzzle solving. Just a little bit of almost everything in a fairly quick read. I'm definitely picking up the next one.
Really, really hard toss-up between 3 and 4 stars. I really did enjoy it. I think maybe I just didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have liked. I'm all about some character-driven plots. But what we do know of the characters I really like. Our lead Leo is not an asshole. He does get a little protective, but to me, it's never over the top and he's always quick to apologize if he thinks he crosses a line. And Sofie is definitely not someone who needs saving all of the time. She is smart and quick. She knows what she wants and what she deserves. The politics of the planet and planet system, not to mention the infrastructure of the planet itself, is a little hard to grasp at first (this may be because I did NOT read the prequels) but by the end, I think I had the gist of it. There's a little bit of romance, a little bit of sci-fi action, a little bit of subterfuge, a little bit of underworld crime boss stuff, and a little bit of mystery and puzzle solving. Just a little bit of almost everything in a fairly quick read. I'm definitely picking up the next one.
February 4, 2024
3.5 stars
Update Jan 2024: I'm upping the rating of this novella one full star. I hold on to my opinion from 2021 - it is nothing special - but I keep re-reading it. And I keep enjoying it. So up it goes.
2.5 stars
An average sci-fi romance. A bit of a love story, a bit of a space opera, but nothing much to write about. I like the prequel novellas, Interference / Insurgency, better.
Update Jan 2024: I'm upping the rating of this novella one full star. I hold on to my opinion from 2021 - it is nothing special - but I keep re-reading it. And I keep enjoying it. So up it goes.
2.5 stars
An average sci-fi romance. A bit of a love story, a bit of a space opera, but nothing much to write about. I like the prequel novellas, Interference / Insurgency, better.
June 27, 2018
I've said it before and it still holds true, Michelle Diener and I seem to share a comparable sense of proportion when it comes to wrapping a romance in a really good story that's NOT about the relationship. I also find that, in general, I find her heroes and heroines very likeable. She puts them through their paces, though.
I'm looking forward to the next.
I'm looking forward to the next.
February 7, 2024
Another space opera, good story, but I will have to reread it a couple of times to love it.
May 26, 2018
In this first full length story in the Verdant String series, the focus is on a breakaway planet, one that is not part of the Verdant String Coalition. On Garmen, the citizens are at the mercy of the companies that are in control and the focus is on making as much money for the companies as possible. Sofie Erdo is hoping to leave Garmen until she becomes involved with Leo Gaudier. and saves his life more than once. She was a part of the resistance fighting against the corporations and still has ties to them and Leo has quietly been doing what he can to undermine the corporations as well. As things escalate, they will have to work together to prevent a catastrophe, and since Sofie is the daughter of the man who designed the way station that is the key to the corporation’s operations, she has an advantage no one else has. I’m really enjoying this world of the Verdant String and liked the smart and resourceful Sofie. I always love it when a strong female character saves the male love interest, and she does it not once, but several times. All he wants to do is protect her, but she proves she’s more than capable of taking care of herself - and him. I’m looking forward to reading more stories set in this world and meeting more strong female characters are like Sofie.
June 4, 2018
Breakaway is the first full novel in the Verdant String series. But I would highly recommend readers to read Interference/Insurgency. These are two novellas that are really great introductions to the Verdant String world and I loved both of those stories as well.
The story introduced us to the first main character, Sofie Erdo. She lives on Garmen, which is a breakaway planet and not part of the Verdant String Coalition (or VSC), meaning that companies owned by sketchy people basically control all of Garmen so the people living there don't have the best existence to say the least. And although Sofie is part of the resistance fighting it all, she just wants to leave Garmen as soon as she can. Enter Leo Gaudier, the second main character, a crime lord working in the shadows who, just like the resistance, wants to overthrow those in control of Garmen. Oh and he's the guy Sofie recently started dating...
Let's just say right away that Sofie was a badass. She saved Leo's life several times and isn't that just a nice change of pace compared to how it's usually the hero doing the saving. Don't get me wrong, I did love Leo, he was a really great character to read about but Sofie was one heroine I could definitely get behind.
The world building was amazing as well. It's a pretty complex world that the author created but oh that's just how I like it. And I gotta say, the author has written many books in different genres but her scifi worlds are some of my all time favorites.
Overall Breakaway was an amazing book that I couldn't put down. Well-written, excellent world building and Michelle Diener does romance like no other. There's no unneccesary drama, the heroine is not a helpless damsel in distress and the hero isn't overly protective. I loved it!
The story introduced us to the first main character, Sofie Erdo. She lives on Garmen, which is a breakaway planet and not part of the Verdant String Coalition (or VSC), meaning that companies owned by sketchy people basically control all of Garmen so the people living there don't have the best existence to say the least. And although Sofie is part of the resistance fighting it all, she just wants to leave Garmen as soon as she can. Enter Leo Gaudier, the second main character, a crime lord working in the shadows who, just like the resistance, wants to overthrow those in control of Garmen. Oh and he's the guy Sofie recently started dating...
Let's just say right away that Sofie was a badass. She saved Leo's life several times and isn't that just a nice change of pace compared to how it's usually the hero doing the saving. Don't get me wrong, I did love Leo, he was a really great character to read about but Sofie was one heroine I could definitely get behind.
The world building was amazing as well. It's a pretty complex world that the author created but oh that's just how I like it. And I gotta say, the author has written many books in different genres but her scifi worlds are some of my all time favorites.
Overall Breakaway was an amazing book that I couldn't put down. Well-written, excellent world building and Michelle Diener does romance like no other. There's no unneccesary drama, the heroine is not a helpless damsel in distress and the hero isn't overly protective. I loved it!
June 10, 2018
Sofie Erdo has spent her whole life living and working in grim circumstances despite the fact that her father was the architect of Felicitos, a tethered way station for mineral riches from the planet Garmen. They are not a part of the confederation of planets known as the Verdant String Coalition so workers’ rights and a heathy lifestyle exists only for the very wealthy business owners known as the Core. Sofie has been working for the Resistance movement that operates in the shadows of their dangerous world trying to make it a better place for those trapped in a web of poverty, ill health, and little to no education. She began dating Leo Gaudier, ostensibly a crime lord, who makes his living cheating back the cheaters. Leo has several cards up his sleeve for his own plan to wrest the way station away from the greedy overlords who care nothing for the peoples’ struggles or hard life.
As Sofie and Leo begin working together, he realizes that she not only has captured his heart, but she may hold the key to all of their survival. Sofie has access to the station in a way that no one else now living does. She continually surprises Leo with her strength, capabilities, and courage while he tries to protect her finding Sofie does not plan on only standing and waiting in the background. The company owners are making more illicit alliances that threaten to bring down their whole world so time is running short for Sofie and Leo to act before it is too late.
This novel is the first in the Verdant String series; however, there are two prequel related novellas called INTERFENCE and INSURGENCY. Ms. Diener'S Sci Fi romance stories are always great fun and entertaining. She has smart, resilient heroines and compassionate tough heroes in fascinating far away beyond the stars settings. I look forward to the next in this series.
As Sofie and Leo begin working together, he realizes that she not only has captured his heart, but she may hold the key to all of their survival. Sofie has access to the station in a way that no one else now living does. She continually surprises Leo with her strength, capabilities, and courage while he tries to protect her finding Sofie does not plan on only standing and waiting in the background. The company owners are making more illicit alliances that threaten to bring down their whole world so time is running short for Sofie and Leo to act before it is too late.
This novel is the first in the Verdant String series; however, there are two prequel related novellas called INTERFENCE and INSURGENCY. Ms. Diener'S Sci Fi romance stories are always great fun and entertaining. She has smart, resilient heroines and compassionate tough heroes in fascinating far away beyond the stars settings. I look forward to the next in this series.
July 25, 2020
Wow so much was happening and I was a bit lost at first but then the world unfolded and the story kept me enthralled. Totally unpredictable (just the way I like it!). Two people who should not trust each other followed their instincts, worked together and changed a world! Is and wait to read more!
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