Delicate Balance

The Blair Brothers #1

by Brooke St. James

I knew the Blair brothers. It was impossible to grow up in Astoria and not be familiar with them. There were four boys in the Blair family, and all of them had that certain something.They were smart, athletic, funny, and gorgeous. If I was forced to pick my favorite, it would have to be Henry. He was the wild one of the bunch—a rock star. Literally.He left Astoria years ago to chase and realize his dreams in Seattle. I still saw his younger brothers quite a bit, but it had been years since I'd seen Henry. That all changed one night when the Blair family came into the restaurant where I worked and sat at my table. Henry just so happened to be with them.I always imagined that he might be the man of my dreams, but after that night, I knew it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Christian Romance, Contemporary, Christian, Musicians

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Brooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.

To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...

Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/

Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames

To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com

Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames

Reviews

[Neka · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an innocent reading, like reading the diary of a twelve year old, which it's not a bad thing per se. The ridiculous lack of quality in the writing was, though.

"I hadn't sung Angel from Montgomery the first time we hung out, so this song was written after the most recent time we hung out."

"The sun had just set when we got there, but night officially fell around us as we stood on the beach. The wind and waves moved and shifted the whole time we were out there."

To me, repeating words like that is a clear sign of immature writing. I feel like synonyms exist for this very reason.

And it read like: "We went there, and we did this, and then we did that, and then we came back and did this other thing..." It was plain and dry and extremely boring. I don't understand how it got so many great reviews (enough to make me think it was a good idea to spend my time and money on it, which I regret, obviously.)

[Nico Nico Ni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. I could not stop smiling. I really loved it. Henry and Aiden made a great couple. Boy how I loved them together.

[Victoria Bylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and fun. Perfect reading for the return flight from California.

[Paula Bothwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate Balance (The Blair Brothers 1)--PG13
Violence: no
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: no sex, there is descriptive kissing

I've never even hear of such as man being so forthcoming with his feelings; Henry is an anomaly! But what a swoontastic one. Aiden is without guile and a lovely heroine. The "big misunderstanding" was a stretch, see above comments about how forthcoming our Hero is with is emotions. I'm going to try with this author again. I did read her Martin Family series a few years ago and really enjoyed them.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a fun little romance, I like that it involves music. Clean, mentions God and church and has a good story. I like this author's stories that keep going through a family.

[Vibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of a spinoff series to the Family Stone!

So in the 1st story of this new series, we get to meet Ethan's band leading friend, Henry Blair, and his family vicariously thru sweet, slightly naive Aiden.

Henry is drawn to & inspired by Aiden, but eventually finds himself exasperated by (not to give too much away) her willingness to put up with things from people that she shouldn't. Aiden doesn't understand & her insecurity leads her to believe she's being rejected.

I generally find miscommunication conflicts annoyingly contrived to draw out a plot, but the conflict and resolution play out naturally and believably here. Thankfully not annoying at all.

The Stone family isn't in the story except for a reference to Alec at one point and an indirect one to Ethan at another, but it has a similar vibe & felt to me almost like a sequel to book 5. Which may be wishful thinking on my part, but I definitely loved them both!

Clean romance level: passionate kissing

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate Balance: A Romance (2019) by Brooke St. James is the first book in her The Blair Brothers series. This book comes in eBook form, and is 190 pages in length. With a full-time job and a busy six-year old at home, this book took me less than 24 hours to devour! I purchased a copy of this novel from Amazon on April 3, 2019 to review. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Delicate Balance 4.5 STARS. This book is a Contemporary Clean Romance.

My plan last night was not to devour a novel in one sitting. But that is exactly what happened. Delicate Balance is ideal for when you want something super sweet, highly engaging, and fast-paced. It’s the perfect story to escape into, and I loved every page!

Aiden is my kind of heroine. She is quiet, demure, and a bit of an introvert. The idea of doing new things sounds exciting to her, but she isn’t going to really do those new things. Instead, she is going to be a productive human in her society, and then go home to her dog every night to binge-watch Netflix or read a good book. If you added a husband and child to the picture, this would literally be my life. What I enjoyed so much about Aiden’s journey in this novel is that she finds someone who gets her to come out of her shell. Aiden’s problem is that she doesn’t see herself the way others do. She’s a really amazing woman, but she just can see it until Henry enters the picture and blows her preconceived notions about herself out of the water. I very much enjoyed seeing Aiden come into her own vis a vis Henry’s support. Every woman needs a Henry in her life who is able to help her realize just how awesome she truly is.

What I really loved best about this story is how well St. James captures new love. The passion, the emotions, the inability to really say what you want or mean because you just don’t know each other’s cues yet. It was a fun trip down memory lane for me. I couldn’t help but think on the first few months of my relationship with my husband. That need to impress, but the fear of failure. Wanting so badly to be his one and only, but not wanting to be presumptuous. Looking back on it, new love is rough. I am so glad I am where I am with my husband today! I really feel St. James did a great job capturing the emotions of first love with Aiden and Henry. It really was so much fun to read their story and remember my own.

Delicate Balance is the first novel that I’ve enjoyed by Brooke St. James, but it most definitely will not be my last. This book is so much fun! The characters are well written, the plot is highly engaging, and I very much enjoyed my trip down memory lane. If you are in the mood for a super sweet romance then I highly recommend Delicate Balance.

[Vani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could give this novel a glowing review, especially since I received an ebook for free from the author herself. But it would be difficult to do so as it just did not click with me. The spiritual aspects of the novel (the main protagonist, Aiden, mentions her faith in God. Mentions of God are to the point, but not heavily laden, so for those whose beliefs waver on this topic wouldn't feel uncomfortable). I found the actual romance story to be shallow, or just not fleshed out enough. One particular passage about the meeting/date during a chaperoned homecoming dance was too long. I also found there was too much emphasis on the age differences among the characters, who was older and still unmarried, etc. (The main characters were all in their twenties, for background). I also found the situations in the story to be unrealistic; the characters, especially Aiden, behaved in ways and said things that no average person would say or do. Adien, I also found Aiden was clueless and naive. And, maybe just plain stupid. She was too trusting, in any case. Or maybe, she was lonely and insecure. The "hero," Henry Blair, I found was a stalker, possessive, and presumptuous. But then again, so was Aiden's neighbor/landlord, Nick. I was hoping there would be seem mystery/thriller aspect to the romance, and the heroine would be wise to the negative traits of the romantic interest, and she would wisely dump him, and end up alone but still happy, or with some one else more normal (and not a stalker). But alas, it was not. Or maybe these types of romance novels are not my cup of tea. Most other reviews stated the story was "sweet," and "warm and fuzzy." I could not say the same. Well, at least i managed to read a book for pleasure, after what seems like a century since I last read a book for pleasure.

[Mss Sunrise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the story of a girl who works as a waitress at a restaurant and a popular musician who is 2 years older than her. She went to school with him back in the day, and his family are quite famous people. She's always been attracted to him, but he knows nothing about her. Until she meets him again at his family gathering in her workplace. He asks her to order him whatever she thinks is good and their story starts from there.

.

Thoughts and feelings:

🍁I was struggling to find a physical read for a whole week. This month is pretty hectic for me, work-wise. The only way I could concentrate has been through listening to an audiobook. Hence, when I saw this audiobook on YouTube, published by the author, and it's only 5 hours, I gave up searching and gave it a shot. Honestly, it was quite good. It reads fast, and it requires ZERO attention. I listened to the whole thing in one setting. I don't think that I liked any character per se, but maybe the hero a little bit. I don't know what he saw in the heroine that made him sure that she's the ONEA, but I respect how he doesn't back off no matter what.

🍁I understand the heroine's hesitance about starting and developing something more with the hero. She doesn't have the best family and the best social situation. However, I was kinda feeling irritated by her reactions and actions at times. She's not really poor, nor is she in the worst domestic situation ever. She thinks that the hero's mom pities her and that whatever she's got with her child is delusional. Well. Guess what? Not every rich, well-known person is bad and arrogant?

🍁The writing style here is not the best thing I've read, but it did make me finish the book, so it's quite fine. I'm probably intrigued enough to pick up the other books in this series whenever I feel slumpish.

[Marzee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of potential, but it falls short

I really wanted to like this book. It was just okay. It’s been awhile since I’ve read this author, and now I remember why I didn’t move forward with more of her work. I appreciate that she’s writing clean romance. We need more of that. I also like that she weaves God in as well as she does. It’s not exactly natural to the flow of the book… but she does it better than others I’ve read. I also appreciate that her characters are real. My disappointment comes that she doesn’t push enough with conflict and character development. In this book there was a potential danger to the main female lead, but it never grew into anything. There was opportunity for conflict with the male lead, but again… it was never explored. There’s very little growth in these books. There’s nothing for you to hang onto. The author also sometimes tells you what’s happening instead of showing you. The book is full of great potential, but it never quite takes you to a place where you’re truly invested in the characters or their story. I found this true with her other novel as well. There’s no grip to it. There’s nothing that really stirs your heart. The female lead’s conflict of feeling she’s not good enough, isn’t developed enough to feed that either. Nor does she come to a place where she learns why her misgivings are misplaced. There are so many missed opportunities here to turn a mediocre book into something greater. It’s just…. A nice story that you’ll likely forget in less time than it took to read the book.

If you want a great clean contemporary Christian romance, try Becky Wade.

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, SUPER fast read. I wanted more, not that I loved it so much I didnt want it to stop! (Which what I usually mean when I review books) but this didnt feel fully developed. The author mentions a few times that they've had these moments together but they never exchanged phone numbers. Then casually half way through, mentions it in passing. Since she made a point to mention it before, I would expect to see the scene where it happens.

It mentions music obviously because Henry is a musician but St. James quotes music lyrics and I wonder if she got permission to use it in this ebook, otherwise its against copyright laws.

Its dual POV but mainly Aiden's side. I wish there were more from Henry's. We never really know why he hung out that first time anyways. It has a HEA but I dont feel satisfied because I dont feel like the main characters were there, ready to make that step. The "climax" reason to keep them apart is pretty silly, but is like big for Aiden and then it isnt even brought up what happened later. A few minor proofreader errors.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I read Christian fiction from time to time, but there was nothing in the blurb that indicated this was a Christian romance. In fact, there’s no mention of faith until the 37% mark when the heroine suddenly starts talking about her relationship with God. I don’t like religion being thrown at me when I’m not expecting it, but since the tone of the book wasn’t overly preachy, I kept reading.

This is a story about two young adults. I don’t know their precise ages, but it felt like they were in their mid-twenties. Their interactions were mostly sweet, and I did enjoy reading their story despite the unnecessary drama over her landlord. In the end, Nick wreaked zero havoc in the plot. All that speculation and then nothing!

For someone who professed to have such strong faith, Aiden sure didn’t lean on the everlasting arms when things got tough. I expected her faith to really shine when she and Aiden parted after the homecoming dance. And that panic attack she had after hanging out his family? Girl, please.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is hard to rate. This is my first read by Brooke St. James. And it won't be the last!
It was sweet, passionate, cute, and so much fun!
I always dreamed of marrying a musician. And Henry fits that bill! From the scruffy look to the ponytail, to the tall, lean build, and dark eyes and hair. Wow! The total package. Be still my beating heart!
Aiden is a waitress and preschool teacher who's kinda stuck in Astoria. While she wants to grab life by the horns, she's so set in her routine that she just kinda exists but doesn't really live. Until she is reunited with Henry.
They went to school together. But now Henry is a successful rock-star. And he's drawn to Aiden.
There were some overcoming identity issues and worthiness. Both had some growing to do. And it was fun to watch these two together!

[Krys]

Can’t do it. Was listening to the audiobook and the dialogue is so stilted and awkward I can’t take it. There’s nothing alluring about the male MC either. I can take a boring fem MC, but the male MC is the one that carries romance books for me and he’s so… meh. I think he’s supposed to come off charming but it’s not clicking for me.

There’s also a lot of detail about stuff that doesn’t seem to really be related to the story itself, like all that server talk in the beginning about who would take the table that kicks off the plot. I could understand if they were rowdy customers or something, but it turned out to be a pretty uneventful dinner. Why do we care about some other server needing to get home early? Who even was that chick? There just isn’t enough vibrancy in the characters to catch my interest and pull me through the very slow, Grapes of Wrath-esque storytelling.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew the Blair brothers. It was impossible to grow up in Astoria and not be familiar with them.

There were four boys in the Blair family, and all of them had that certain something. They were smart, athletic, funny, and gorgeous. If I was forced to pick my favorite, it would have to be Henry. He was the wild one of the bunch—a rock star. Literally. He left Astoria years ago to chase and realize his dreams in Seattle. I still saw his younger brothers quite a bit, but it had been years since I'd seen Henry.

That all changed one night when the Blair family came into the restaurant where I worked and sat at my table. Henry just so happened to be with them. I always imagined that he might be the man of my dreams, but after that night, I knew it

[Eleanor H]

Perfect Title

I liked the storyline. It caught my interest quickly and flowed at a nice pace. I love the portrayal of a hero pursuing a heroine. Brooke ably described how we are all human and should be cherished, regardless of our social status. I enjoy books with close family relationships like this too. I also liked the fact that she didn't hide the physical desire couples feel but reminded readers that waiting is good and can be done! I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and its the first one of this author that I have read. Plan to read the rest of the Blair Brothers set. Aiden has a busy life teaching, working at the restaurant, and taking care of her dog. That all changed when she got assigned to wait on the Bliar family. Henry Blair was her dream guy and when he said he would be waiting for her after work, she thought it was a way to get away from his family. It wasn't and what followed is an emotional ride for both Aiden and Henry

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Nice story, great characters. Story a little simple and a little short for my taste, but enjoyable. It is refreshing to read romance where both people of the couple are really kind good people. No sex in this story. Purity before marriage. And I like how they go to church together, say grace before dinner and talk of and to God. The wariness and attraction between these two is palpable. The heroine does not feel "good enough" for Henry....but he was accepting and sure of her. I enjoyed the book and looking forward to the next book.

[Destiny Ciera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

Another sweet one by st. James. The characters were sweet and the story was sweet. The ending was a bit sudden and I felt like she could have really done a better job at that but the epilogue was cute. I was just surprised when I turned the page of the last chapter and realized that was it. It was very abrupt. But I recommend any of St. James's books, this one is no exception.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living a Delicate Balance

I sincerely enjoyed reading this novel. I read it in one sitting as I wanted to see how it would end. The plot was plausible, especially seeing how Aiden was living a delicate balance between her home and her mother's and grandparents' home. It was an entertaining book with a heaping dose of Christian values. It would appeal to any reader who loathes graphic sexual specifics. I am looking forward to reading about the rest of the Blair brothers!

[Terressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope the read of the series is as good as this one. The audio version was well narrated.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Aiden is waiting tables at a nice restaurant in Astoria when she has to wait on a table with the Blair family. Henry who is a famous singer, stays afterward and asks her to go on a walk. They had known each other in school, but now both have growing feelings for each other, but he lives in Seattle, but he manages to find time to come see her. A heartwarming story about love and acceptance. A great read.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have warned of the bible thumping...

The improbable attraction between a famous musician and a childishly awkward girl from his home town was hard to believe, but the bizarre interjections of heavy-handed religiosity was off-putting. The two did not mesh and it irritated me to be blindsided with the god stuff out of the blue.

If you're going to prosthelytize, flag it as a religious book so people can choose to avoid the BS.

[Debi Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of Brooke St. James.

I've ready about half of St.James' romance novels and this is one of my favorites. The main characters are quirky, complex and often surprise me. Their story is sweet, authentic and grounded, a little spicy without being cliche and I couldn't put it down. A must read for all St. James readers.

[Fi Brit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian focus

I liked Auden and Henry but their story was utterly bland. Nothing happened. The only drama to the whole story was when Aidan had a mini reverse discrimination meltdown. It felt very contrived as it didn’t fit Aiden’s established personality.
The dialogue wasn’t great either. It felt forced and didn’t flow naturally.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aiden and Henry have know each other since high school but one night they really click. They had an instant connection that was believable. Loved their banter and how they seemed to be able to read each other. The angst made me sad but they worked through it and of course got their hea. The ending was really funny.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicate Balance

They grew up in the same town. She knew his mother from school. He was a couple of years older. And has gone on to greater things. As an up and coming band member with a record contract in hand. He returned home and one night sees her. Things fall into place for them. This is a sweet story with out a lot of angst.

[marlo ford whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Clean but sexy read!

This was a good book! For us Christian that don't want the bedroom scenes and have to repent later for reading them but still a little edgy but not smutt. Aiden was a Christian girl and Henry was a rock star from a
family learning about a relationship with God. But the brother was edgy. Very good read! What I have been looking for.

[Sharyl Haderlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors

Brooke St. James is one of my favorite authors. I've tried to read all her books. I like her clean romance stories with likable realistic characters and interesting plot. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series!!!!

Great author of romance! I love the new series already! The writing is amazing and personable. Inspirational! Great read that I finished in one sitting! Can't wait for the next book! Thanks so much for sharing your gift with us!