Breaking Josephine

Forbidden Romance #1

by Brooke Stanton

Just before Josephine's eighteenth birthday, her brother kicks her out of their home and ships her off to Oklahoma to work for a widower and his two children. With no money and her parents gone, Josephine has no choice but to board the train to a strange new life.

When Jack Harrington put an ad in the paper for a young man to work his farm, the last person he expected to step off the train was Josephine Taylor — a spirited young woman from Manhattan. Jack believes Jo is behind the lies her brother told to get the job and tries to send her back to Manhattan. But always a survivor, Jo manipulates a deal to stay with Jack and his children for a month and prove her worth. Jack warns Jo he runs a strict home. If she disobeys he'll slap her backside as red as a rooster's waddle. Undeterred, Jo agrees to his terms.

Jack's son, six-year-old Tommy, immediately takes to Jo, desperate for a mother, but sixteen-year-old Ruby is apprehensive and territorial, which is exacerbated when her beau turns his eyes to Jo. Stubborn and willful, Jo tests Jack's limits. But soon the struggle between them turns passionate. Jo fights against her new and strange yearnings for Jack, but her willpower weakens with every battle they forge.

Does Jo have the courage to fight against the restraints of society and Jack's guarded heart and fall into the intoxicating embrace of her truest desires...

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Westerns, Historical, Western Romance, Novella, Historical Fiction

150 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2018

About the author

Brooke Stanton is an award-winning and #1 bestselling author of contemporary and historical romances. When she's not writing she loves reading, hiking, running, and taking pictures of her Russian Blue cat. Stalk her here for book news and other fun stuff:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jcjJtM
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3mYK0y2
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2EGoCfz
Bookbub:https://bit.ly/3i7KFcV

Reviews

[Melanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series . . .

Book 1 ==> 4 STARS!
Book 2 ==> 4 STARS!
Book 3 ==> 4 STARS!

These books are perfect as in-between reads. The writing is very engaging and the stories will tug at your heartstrings. They're not heavy historicals, but neither are they purely smut reads. Plus, they're not too long or too short. (We're talking Goldilocks, lol. 😉) It's a combination I found very enjoyable.

I'll definitely be reading the next books as they become available!

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and jo

I loved this book. I have read books from this author many times before. I forgot how good they were. The sex is hot and steamy and she doesn't skimp on explaining the hotness of the men. And yes the story was sweet. It took awhile for jack to let his guard down. Jo was a spit fire.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Breaking Josephine was not a good book. First it was to short, there was absolutely no development or connection between Jo and Jack. I did not enjoy the spankings they seemed unnecessary and honestly violating to Jo. Jack is basically cold and mean to Jo for the entire book and then boom they're in love and he is super sweet. Sorry but that didn't work for me because IMO that's not a romance. The preview to book 2 did catch my attention but unfortunately after reading reviews its the same set up with the romance coming basically at the end. Another issue I have which again is my personal opinion but 4.99 is way to high for these books for what you get.

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the h and her straightforward ways.
The H is mostly broody-quiet and absent.
“When I'm in love, I want to shout it from the rooftops. But Jack’s too scared to even whisper about it.”

I am not fan of DD/spanking but here it was kinda okay as it did not dominate the story and the h actually put her foot down.

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful cover. That’s what mainly caught my attention. Also it has one of my fave tropes which is a H who still carries a torch for his missing/dead precious partner. I like an angst read. This had the right set up but there just wasn’t any chemistry between the MC’s. There was also a huge age gap (which I usually like). She was only 2 years older than his daughter. Did we ever find out how old he was? There was not much redeeming about Jack. He was handsome. His complete lack of chivalry and sudden 180 made no sense. I see potential with this author though!

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot and steamy! Oh, the good ole days when men were hard working men and had a strong hand for spanking. The feisty Josephine needed a new home but didn't quite expect what was in store for her with the dominant cowboy and his youngsters. The widowed Jack needs help with his children but isn't looking for a new wife. And if he were the willful, young woman from back East would certainly not be his pick. But she'd better take heed to his instructions or he would take things into his own hands and set her straight. As Jo and Jack go head to head the steam rises and these two sizzle. A terrific western romance with a side of kink and wonderful characters. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.

[Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't find spanking in the heat of anger sexy. I don't think abuse is a very good foundation for a healthy relationship. At one point Jo tells Jack that he will never put his hands on her without her permission again. I was relieved. I thought that it was a turning point in the novel and Jack would learn that hitting women was wrong. Guess who was wrong. Yep, that would be me. I won't be continuing with this series.

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot sassy and spicy read. Loved the older man younger women set up.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within. The two main characters that the story follows are Josephine and Jack.

Josephine Taylor has left her home and traveled by train out west. Her brother has found her a job out west with a family that needs help on a farm. She is not able to stay with her brother anymore because he is getting married and they will not have the room for her. So, the only option is to find a job. The only job close by is to work in the factories, and she doesn't want that. But when she gets there, she meets the family father at the train station. He looks like he is surprised to see her. He was expecting an older boy to help instead of her. She finds a way to get him to want her help because it is the only way to stay.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and drama throughout. There were a few giggles within. This is the first story in this series. There may be a few trigger warnings within for some people.

I decided to try this story from my collection of stories that I had on my Kindle e reader. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josephine (Jo) is a really strong woman in many ways. The year is 1903, so times/roles have changed. Considering the day/age in which this is set, the reader needs to look at how she fits in that society. Josephine is "shipped" to Oklahoma by her brother who has lied to Jack (the farm owner) in order to get the job of helping on the farm; however, what Jack doesn't expect is a female to show up. When Jo steps up to the plate and talks Jack into letting her prove herself because (after all) she's already there, he gives her the chance but he is definitely not very nice to her. He is also rather sexist at times. Again, consider the setting/time.

Jack is a widow and he has children. One is a young boy and the other is a 16 year old girl, so one can imagine how it might go over with her when she meets Jo who is only 18. And, as most readers will quickly figure out, Jo and Jack become more than just "co-workers." Jo and Jack's romance is pretty darn hot, especially if you love yourself a hard-working, alpha type cowboy.

Short but I thought pretty darn good! Ride 'em cowboy!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo’s brother, George answered an ad from a farmer in Oklahoma who was looking for a boy to help work on the farm. George no longer had a use for Jo and so he falsely answered the ad and shipped her out. Jo was not what Jack was expecting but he agreed to let her stay for one month to prove her worth. Jack has two children and between the three of them they have worked the farm the best they could. Jo does finally prove her value but not before Jack wants to send her home. I like the way Jack fights his feelings for her but eventually they both admit to the love they feel for each other. In the end there is a HEA but not before George tries to get her to return so she can take care of his new baby and be a servant again, which I was glad to see that she refused. The story is well written and worth reading. I would highly recommend this as a great read. I gave it a 4.5.

[CB · Rating 2 out of 5]

REVIEW
Score: 2/5
POV: Single; 1st person
Heat Level: 3/5
Tropes: Age Gap; widowed Father (2 kids); Enemies to Lovers; Western Historical early 1900s;

Ugh, I hate when books covers and/or titles are totally not accurate to the book. This was not some hot and spicy book. Also the kids were a surprise and they were a huge part of the story. The summery didn’t allude to kids at all and I can’t stand that trope. This also just reconfirmed for me why I typically don’t love novella length books. You blink and they’re saying I love yous even though one of the MCs was just literally hating the other MC.
I may read more books by this author but not anytime soon.
2/5

[The Written · Rating 1 out of 5]

NO and HELL NO! He’s 35 she’s 18, enough said.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short. So very short for the story the author was trying to tell. I read a similar story to this one a few years ago and part of what made that book compelling was how the heroine gradually worked her way into the family she was working for's lives. We got to see her love for the children and eventual love of the hero grow over an extended period of time- not the month/month and a half we get in this book.

As for the steam factor...I get that part of what was supposed to make it both hot and forbidden was the major age difference between the H/h (hello! his daught is only like 3 years younger than our h) but the way he treated her after each encounter left a bad taste in my mouth. The h is clearly young and inexperienced and the H was a jerk to her each and every time after they did something remotely steamy. He was def old enough to know better and had no real excuse for his behavior--sorry but your wife tragically dying 6 years ago does not give you the right to be a jerk to the person (you hired) offering to help, perform various sexual acts with aforementioned person, then continue being a huge jerk to same aforementioned person. Rinse and repeat. No. Just...no.

[T. Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I've said it before, but I'm kind of a pushover for broody men in my fiction. Jack was exactly that. Maybe a little too high-handed at times, but I eventually forgave him. He fights his attraction to Josephine in respect for his deceased wife, as well as fear and guilt. Josephine tries hard to break through those erected walls by being what he needs for his family. Josephine is a worthy heroine and I enjoyed her tenacity alongside the respect and love she shows for Jack and his children. Overall, this was a quick moving, but well-developed romance that kept me turning pages and rooting for this couple.

[Camille · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure if it was a novella or not but it seemed awfully short. I can’t tell if or when any love developed between the main characters, it seemed more like lust. There wasn’t much of a plot either. There were a few things that started and could have developed the story but they just kind of died. It was a “meh” read

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't really understand why this is a "forbidden love". There is an age gap yes but that's not really that "forbidden ". Jo is interesting. Jack needed a POV. sex scene was rushed and uneventful. I will not be continuing with the series.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never could quite get into the characters. Sometimes it was boring, other times the story got ridiculous and far-fetched. There was too much wish-washy, ambivalence of the characters.

[E Oygard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute rubbish

Poor writing, no plot. It takes no writing talent to write about erotic fantasies. Who on earth publishes this drivel? Absolute rubbish.

[Shohinee Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on
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Love….

Can sometimes (more often than not) knock you over at the unlikeliest of places at the unlikeliest of times.

Say…you have been born and brought up in affluence in posh Manhattan.

Suddenly tragedy strikes and you lose your parents.

And say, your good for nothing brother then proceeds to drive the family business down into dumps.

He then tries to ‘dispose’ of his burden that is you (even though you are far more efficient than him but it is the year 1903, who cares if the woman is better than the man.)

You are sent off to a family at a farm in a far flung town of Oklahoma that no one has heard about.

Now say, on your arrival you find out that your lying, conniving brother had the family convinced that they were to expect a man who will work on the farm

And

BAM!

Just like that you have found ‘the One’.

That is how Josephine Taylor or Jo found the love of her life, Jack Harrington.

Though love didn’t exactly come BAM! into her life.

It seeped in slow and steady and engulfed her before she could realize.
sephine Taylor, an 18 year old woman who is strong, honest, graceful and tries to make the best of what she has.

Jack Harrington, about 35 years old, a widower and a father of two. Hard working, strict, silent, prefers to smile as little as possible and does not really understand the concept of politeness.

An unlikely pair. But as I said,

Love has a thing for all that is unlikely.

How would Jo’s innocent heart reach out to Jack’s hurt & hardened one?

You will have to read this first book of the Forbidden Romance series to find that out.

I completely adored Jo’s character (didn’t really care about her brother though, could you get that from the preceding lines??). She is immensely strong for someone her age.

Jo firmly believes that instead of crying on life’s unfairness you should get off your ass and do something about it. Now that is impressive.

When Jack realized he had been duped by Jo’s brother, he refused to let her board at his house but Jo did not give up. She did her best to convince Jack that she could do all that a man could, and better!

Even when she started falling for Jack, Jo was honest about her feelings – both emotionally and sexually.

It was a delight to read the “I want you but I don’t want you” relationship between Jack and Jo. Of course, it was a little difficult due to all that fogginess

You know…

The fogginess on my tab screen because of all that steam from Jo and Jack’s amorous interactions. You need to prepare yourself for those scenes before you read ‘Breaking Josephine’. Take it from me. Just look at the cover! Now do you believe me?!

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had to be the stupidest book I’ve read in a while. The premise is bonkers; her brother answers an ad from a farmer who wants to adopt a son to help at his farm and he sends his 18 year old sister telling the farmer he’s sending ‘Jo’.
This is termed a forbidden romance but I’m not sure how forbidden it is. Jo moves into the farmer’s house and no one in town says Boo about it. The townspeople actually keep encouraging him to pursue her and encouraging her to have patience with him. How is this forbidden?
Also I’m not sure what she actually is to him through most of the book. She’s not his wife and not really his servant and he doesn’t seem to pay her or even want her there. He’s extremely mean to her, spanking her frequently- bare assed as well - yet she isn’t his mistress or child or wife.
Was it common to spank your female servants in the late 1800s? I doubt it. The spanking served no real sexual purpose either so it’s not even a kink.
Then Jo starts becoming overcome with her sexual desire and frequently mauls her farmer boss/guardian/adoptive father and then finally throws him onto the barn floor and forces a blow job on him.
After this she leaves him and suddenly he’s chasing after her and in love and wants to marry her? Whiplash much?
What on earth is this book supposed to be about? Maybe this author was ill when she wrote this and these are her fevered imaginings. The title of this book should be ‘Jo Goes to a Farm for Some Reason’.
Yikes. Still need to figure out if I can remove an author from my kindle suggestions. Never. Again.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and titillating cowboy older man/younger woman story…loved it!
In 1903 Josephine or Jo is an 18yo orphan, having lost her parents and been literally pushed out of her NY home by her brother, George. Because he’s the son, their father’s lucrative law practice went to him and he squandered it. They have had to downsize but that’s not enough for George. He finds a “place” for Jo in Hillview, Oklahoma, but has he told her the whole truth?
In Hillview 35yo Jack Harrington needs a boy to help with the chores on his sprawling farm…he gets Jo or Josephine! Jack is a widower with two children of his own: 16yo Ruby and 6yo Tommy. What will happen when Jack realizes Jo Taylor is not the boy he had wanted, but in fact a living, breathing temptation?
This book was a freebie to sign up for Ms. Stanton’s newsletter, which I did. She requested and I volunteered to review this book and am glad I did. I love an older man/younger woman trope anyway, but this one was just what I wanted…sizzling!
On a side note, I can’t understand how so many readers didn’t see what they were going to review. I mean, “If she disobeys he’ll slap her backside as red as a rooster’s waddle. Undeterred, Jo agrees to his terms.” That sounds pretty much like where the book goes. So, what was their problem?

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Josephine (Forbidden Romance #1)
By Brooke Stanton
5 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog

I absolutely LOVED every minute of this book! I am a huge fan of historical western romances and this is probably amongst one of the best that I have ever read, I was hooked right from the very beginning. This is also the first book that I have read by this author and I was so engaged by her writing style. The writing style fitted perfect with the era in which she was writing about.
When I first read the blurb I will admit I kind of guessed what might happen but I still loved the ride that these characters took me on. It was full of angst, emotional moments, laugh out loud moment and scorching hot moments. Jo and Jack’s relationship progression was just perfect, the author didn’t rush it and it was so believable. I felt like I was watching their story at times.
A fantastic read that I would highly recommend! I can’t wait to read more by this author again in the future.

[Mary Mutisya-Astin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Jo and Jack!
Jo has ended up in a new town under the orders of her older brother. She didn’t want to leave New York but she has no other family left and had no choice at the age of 18. She has been told she will work for Me Harrington, who has two children and she is excited at the prospect. That is until Mr Harrington shows up claiming that Jo was meant to be a boy there to work for him as a farm hand, not a girl with whom he has no business hiring. Jo realises she comes up with a plan to get into his home until she can find a way back to New York and try to save face. Only once she gets there she realises that his home needs a females touch and she is more than capable of helping him around the farm but what happens when she starts to think of him as man and not just her ornery boss?
Loved this story. In true forbidden, older/younger historical romance style this is a great start to a new series which I can tell will only get better. Cannot wait for book two.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good historical, western romance that is HOT! 💞💓🔥🔥💞

Jo has lost everything because of her selfish older brother and know, he's sent her on a train from Manhatten to rural Oklahoma to work for a widower caring for his children and home. Or so she thinks... Jack, on the other hand, has been lead to believe that he will be taking over guardianship of a young man, who is supposed to help on his ranch. She is desperate enough to volunteer to stay and help him but he's a bitter man who has let his grief turn him hard and forbidding. The struggle to adapt, on both sides, has them torn apart without realizing how much the other is feeling.💔😢

This is a wonderfully developed and written love story with tons of angst, heat, and love. I was giggling at times and crying at other times but by the end, I was smiling and sighing. 💕💗💕

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill Anna Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Breaking Josephine” by Brooke Stanton is a tale of a determined woman, Josephine Taylor ... from Manhattan who after her beloved father dies..is kicked out of her home by her older brother and packed off to work for a farmer in Oklahoma ....unfortunately the farmer, Jack Harrington a widower with 2 children ...Tommy.. age 6...and Ruby... aged 16 ...thought his advertisement would be answered by a male capable of assisting him with his farm chores ... not a willful stubborn female. His children after their initial surprise took warmly to Josephine ...although Ruby was more hesitant and a mite jealous when her beau spied Josephine. But in addition to charming his children...Josephine eventually charmed Jack...although that came at the cost of several “ disciplinary measures” meted out at Jack’s hand. All in all ...it was a marvelous Western love story....with a HEA....MUCH enjoyed and Highly Recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the past five years Jo has been nothing more than a servant to her brother after the death of their father. Her brother ran their father's business into the ground and squandered most of the money. On her eighteenth birthday he sent her on her way to a family in need of help on the ranch. He disguised Jo as being a man knowing it would be too late once she get there for the man to say anything. James was livid when he found out Jo was in fact a Josephine. Not wanting to be outdone she got him to give her a chance to earn her worth. James has a fiery woman on his hand and all that passion will have to be bestowed on somewhere. Will it be on him and his family or will he send her packing back to her unethical brother?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rune Divina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this copy in exchange of an honest review and all I can say is it was an okay read for me. The narration was light and easily understood. The plotting was simple. It was a rather simple story of a girl, whose life was turned upside down, and chance brought her to a new family and a new man. It was.. predictable, frankly speaking. And the characters were common; pretty blonde girl and the most sought-out bachelor in the town. 

However, it was rather juicy. So if you like romance, light read, and maybe a little bit "juicy" read I think you would like this quick read. Oh, I read these two books super fast. 

Although I kind of fail to see what is the "forbidden romance" here...

My rating is 3 stars.

[Jeanie Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo

After the death of her mother and father only months apart, Josephine has been left to care for the house, while watching her brother turn their father's thriving Law firm from prosperous to near penniless. When brother dear tells her he's found her a position caring for a soldier's children in green glorious Oklahoma, he's already purchased her ticket. Arriving in Oklahoma she quickly learns that her brother has misled the farmer into believing Jo to be a boy. Jo will do everything she can to convince the farmer she can work as hard as any man and that she's a quick learner.
Only time will tell whether Jo will find herself on a return train to NYC! Good book with strong characters and an interesting plot.

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josephine's story
This is a lovely opening story in the Forbidden Romance series and in it Jo is sent off by her brother to a job on a farm which he got for her under the false pretense that Jo was a boy.
And the story takes off from there with her employer finding it very difficult to believe the truth in her own story and he tends to have a very short temper where she is concerned.
However there is a mutual attraction that soon heats up the pages with passion and thank goodness there is a good outcome.
I loved Jo's interplay with the other characters in this story and her strength and belief in herself giving us an entertaining story.
I read a complimentary copy of the ebook and my voluntary review above is given freely and is unbiased.