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They’ve escaped to the outside world—but can they really be free?

David and Isaac have found happiness in each other’s arms. In faraway San Francisco, Isaac’s brother Aaron helps them explore confusing “English” life and move beyond the looming shadow of their Amish roots. For the first time, David and Isaac can be openly gay, yet they struggle to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. At least they don’t have to hide their relationship, which should make everything easier. Right?

But while Isaac thrives at school and makes new friends, David wrestles to come to terms with the reality of the outside world. Haunted by guilt at leaving his mother and sisters behind in Zebulon, he’s overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city as he works to get his carpentry business off the ground.

While David and Isaac finally sleep side by side each night, fear and insecurity could drive them miles apart.

This is the second chapter in a trilogy of forbidden Amish love. This book features explicit sex and is not an inspirational/Christian novel.

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 28, 2015

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1015 people want to read

About the author

Keira Andrews

65 books3,050 followers
Keira aims for the perfect mix of character, plot, and heat in her M/M romances. She writes everything from swashbuckling pirates to heartwarming holiday escapism. Her fave tropes are enemies to lovers, age gaps, forced proximity, and passionate virgins. Although she loves delicious angst along the way, Keira guarantees happy endings!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 458 reviews
864 reviews229 followers
January 15, 2015

Quick housekeeping: this is book 2 of the series. It cannot be read as a standalone. And it takes place right after the end of book 1. This entire review will be a spoiler IF you haven't read A Forbidden Rumspringa. If you have, it is spoiler free...

So...I waited some time before reading A Forbidden Rumspringa. I hestitated for lots of reasons, but mostly I just don't do books that deal with religious content. Personal issues. But, I finally gave in to my curiosity...and geez am I so glad I did. I loved it.

Luckily, I had book 2 in my hands ready to read upon finishing the first. And I jumped right in.

Book 2 takes place directly after the ending of book 1 and that makes it so satisfying. No having to guess what happens...it's all right there on page. David and Isaac take the bus cross-country to go be with Aaron & his wife in San Francisco. They are wide-eyed, terrified, racked with guilt, excited, wrestling with a myriad of conflicting emotions...but they are together. And that's what keeps them grounded.

In this book we meet Aaron and his wife Jen and they are, without a doubt, some AMAZING characters. They are the kind of people you want in your life...the kind of people you want to BE in your life. And they welcome with open arms David & Isaac and start teaching them how to live in the world.

The adjustment is hard for both of them and it HURT everytime you remember that these are now young adult men who essentially feel almost like children in a new world. I felt their confusion and sometimes their shame. I felt their fear and their anxiety. I wanted to immediately hug them both and shake them, tell them I'd get them through this. (because I'm crazy and invested in my books like that)

Book 2 is told from David's perspective and it's a hard go. I loved David in Rumspringa...he felt like such an honest man of integrity and strength. So it was especially hard reading him struggle so much. And then...well...my own frustration set in. "TALK TO HIM!" I screamed at David in my Kindle. "Ask for help!" I pleaded. "Don't just think sex will make all your problems go away!" I warned him (and PS: there's a LOT of sex in this book...just sayin...and it's all on page. I may have skimmed a couple scenes just because it got to be a lot...).  But where I usually really give up on a book when it turns to lack-of-communication/miscommunication, for some reason, it drew me in deeper. Yes, more frustrated, but I couldn't give up on them. And I could feel why David was having such a hard time talking to Isaac.

And that's another thing about this book...it dragged me through the emotional ringer. The guilt of leaving...I felt it. The fear of one adjusting to the world easier than the other...I felt it. The jealousy of other people...I felt it. The almost codependent need for one another...I felt it.  I was sobbing by the end.

And let's just talk about THAT ENDING. Ummm...sorry folks, no spoilers. But we've got a helluva cliffy going on there. Will our 2 favorite Amish men be able to leave tragedy behind and overcome with their love and faith in one another? Of course they will...but I have a sense it's not gonna be easy.

So...GIMME BOOK 3...as soon as you can please...

I think this book was probably more emotional for me Rumspringa, but I'm going to rate it a little lower just because book 1 was some impeccable storytelling and book 2 just made me a blubbering mess...

 photo 78a31e15-a8d3-46a9-9088-cbb9656dff10_zpsd43ac4b1.jpg

Profile Image for Trisha Harrington.
Author 3 books144 followers
February 3, 2015
OMG. Why is the next book not out right now? WHY???

Breathe. I can do this. This book has not gotten the best of me. I won't let that happen. But it has, hasn't it? I'm literally shaking right now. Ready to scream at something. Someone. I need to murder someone and I need to do it good. A Clean Break has left me feeling a lot of feelings and I'm not sure what to think just yet. This book is amazing and wonderful and powerful. And the characters are fantastic and lovable. I just want to hug them but at the same time I have one character who is on my shit list and will probably never get off the list. It's just too much right now. TOO MUCH!

I read this book really fast. And I mean really fast. I managed to surprise myself by getting so far and then realizing I had just gotten lost in the book. Do you know how often that happens? Not very often. And when it does happen, it means the book will be a 5 star read, like this one is.

I really love Jen and Aaron. I wish all the secondary characters could have been like them. I know my blood pressure wouldn't be sky high right now if they had been... Anyway, moving on. I really just love how supportive and loving they were. David and Isaac definitely needed people like them in their lives. They offered them so much support and were just really good to them. It made it hard not to like them. And I think this book was definitely better because of them.

David and Isaac are still a wonderful couple. I still love them. But damn, the last part of this book was painful. I came close to not finishing the book completely because I really didn't want something else to go wrong... And then it ends and there's hope and there's something there. I'm just not sure what will happen next. I'm not sure my heart can take any more. It's been through so much with these two books and I have this feeling that things could get worse before they get better.

If you love the first book, you should definitely read this one. It's so great to continue on this journey with these guys!
Profile Image for Catherine.
1,610 reviews271 followers
January 2, 2016
*** 4.5 Stars ***

Honestly, this book had a lot going for it before I even started to read it; I picked the first book in the series, A Forbidden Rumspringa, as my favourite book of 2014. I loved David and Isaac individually, and I adored them as a couple. I was fascinated by the world that they inhabited - by the parts that they enjoyed and took comfort in as much as by the parts that chaffed and stifled - and I was blown away by the quality of Andrews' writing and the sensitivity with which she told David and Isaac's story. So, unsurprisingly, I was predisposed to loving A Clean Break.

For the first quarter of the book, Andrews had me in the palm of her hand. I'll admit that not much 'action' happened, but those pages felt like I was reacquainting myself with old friends, so I was okay with that. I could see both men struggling to adapt to their new city - hell, their new reality - but they were so present for one another that I just found myself reveling in the wonderful squishy feelings. I didn't really need any more from them.

But then I did. And I wish I could say that I got it, but I didn't entirely.

The plot started to lag a little in the middle of the book and David's guilt got a bit overwhelming. Perhaps Andrews just did her job a little too well because David's downward slide and the growing distance between him and Isaac bummed me the heck out. I wanted them to get back in sync, dammit! I wanted my sweet, smexy, devoted Amish boys to be happy again. And I wanted to claw Clarke's eyes out before he could do what I knew that he was going to do.

Spoiler alert: He did.

I might not have gotten exactly what I was hoping for, but good Lord does Andrews knows how to write an ending! In the last 15% of the book, I felt like she cranked the intensity level to 11 and took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I gasped, I cried, my heart ached, and then things ended in sad but hopeful place. In other words, this book did exactly what the middle book in a trilogy should do.

I thought this book was fantastic and I'll recommend it to anyone who'll listen, but I ultimately docked a 1/2 star because it was missing that intangible magic that made A Forbidden Rumspringa absolutely unforgettable to me.

The wait for Book 3 is going to be torturous, I just know it.
Profile Image for Heidi Cullinan.
Author 50 books2,874 followers
Read
April 12, 2015
I tried to write a review of this and ended up with 1000 words of disclaimer and dithering and no real review. So I have two things to say. Well, and then just BIT more dithering.

No spoilers on plot or story, though if you're like DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING AT ALL, get out of here. Which is probably a general rule of thumb on Goodreads reviews of books you haven't read yet.

1) If you want to know what I thought of this book, go to twitter and search the hashtag #ACBBB. The hashtag makes no sense because I was fogged from a drug switch and I swapped the final letter, which should have been R for A Clean Break Buddy Read, to B, which I guess was just easier to type. I had lots of thoughts while reading. It was a very fun ride.

2) I liked the book a lot. So wonderful on a million levels. I have a single ping, which for me is pretty big but may not be for most people. The story doesn't really resolve. Like, sort of maybe kind of a little, but the relationship not at all. This is basically part one of two. So if you're reading this review to see if you want to read it and this comment makes you go OH NO SHE DIDN'T, then just keep this book safe until book three is out so you can roll right over to it when finished with this one. Because you absolutely should read it. Eventually.

I did not at all dislike the story. I want to keep saying that. But I really wish it would have had them resolve even to a tentative peace before the cliffhanger. If you hate that sort of thing, you really should wait. If I'd have known, i"d have waited. But then, I really am not a continuing series kind of person, to the point I generally only read book one of most series, randomly pick a stopping point because I get tired of it not finishing, or I don't read them at all. So that colors my experience a lot. I might react a lot more strongly than most people. If you love series that hang over, you're all set.

Storywise: It's a delightful look at the boys settling in. A million great moments. Once I get the end of the novel, I'll be all set, I'm sure.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
488 reviews681 followers
November 8, 2024
This book was a filler episode, but with a 17 side dishes OF STRESS.




HOLY FECK, OPEN YOUR MOUTHS AND COMMUNICATE YOU SILLY AMISH-TRAUMA-ed FUCKS. I NEED YOU TO KISS ON THE MOUF AND MAKE UP AND LEARN HOW TO HUMAN REAL WORLD. I AM STRESSED OUT OF MY MIND.

This book is ultra gushy romantic sometimes, but I do let it fly because they're cute and discovering their identities and I'm ready to get back into Isaac's POV next book! 💖💖💖


David often thinks he's dying because he doesn't realise he's having panic attacks 😭 bless his heart!
Profile Image for Martin.
807 reviews597 followers
September 11, 2016
God, I'm so mad at this book...

Spoilers beware for book 1:
David and Isaac are in San Francisco now, staying with Isaac's brother who left the Amish community years earlier.
Aaron welcomes Isaac and David in the modern world and is determined to show them the many things they missed growing up.

While Isaac embraces his new life excitedly, David feels intimidated and way out of his league in the bright and loud, gay-friendly world of San Francisco. All he wants is to curl up with Isaac and lie under the stars, listening to the sounds of the wilderness lulling them to sleep.

But city life doesn't leave David much space to breathe. Setting up his carpentry workshop to earn money for his family in Zebulon and for Isaac, he is determined to be the man he failed to be in his mother's eyes.

His constant fear of 'English' people who talk in 'strange tongues', making him do things he's not comfortable with, builds up inside him until alcohol becomes the only way out of his painful anxiety attacks that remind him of his father's lethal heart attack. He couldn't die and fail Isaac too. He just couldn't.

But when it looks like his greatest fear becomes reality, he realizes that he must work on himself in order not to be left behind in a world that is so much faster and louder than he ever dreamed it would be.


I love David with all my heart. He's EXACTLY the kind of troubled, hurting character that makes me want to grab him through my kindle and hug him, telling him it'll be alright in the end. But will it? WILL IT?? That was some nasty cliffhanger there at the end and you can bet I will purchase part 3 before the ink of this review has dried...

BUT I also had a HUGE problem with the story and the people that appeared in it. Aaron and his wife Jen are great guys, supporting Isaac and David so selflessly while they're struggling to get ground under their feet in this new and challenging world.

However, the circle of (gay) friends they surround themselves with (and Isaac and David too) are just ridiculous.
Why would a repressed gay man like David ever get a kick out of visiting a gay bar or a gay club?
How can Clark be Jen's gay BBF and still
I wanted to kill that guy!! I wanted to swipe that sparkly glossy grin off Clark's made up face with one of David's carpentry tools!!

How dare anyone suggest a gay man's life couldn't be fulfilled and complete without ever frequenting the gay clubbing scene where strangers blow each other in toilet stalls? What an insult to every gay man in real life?!

Anyway, I'm sure Isaac will see that David is the best partner he could wish for. Now and for years to come.

But right now these guys got other problems to deal with - waiting for them back home in Zebulon. May the adventure continue.

Bishop Yoder, we're heading your way! It'll get ugly (probably).

5 stars!
Profile Image for εllε.
773 reviews
October 16, 2016
This book takes place just after the ending of the first one. David and Isaac find themselves living with Isaac's brother and his wife in San Francisco. Everything is shocking and they struggle to adapt, although Isaac seems to do better.

This book is told from Adam's POV. He feels guilty and doubtful that he's keeping Isaac behind. He works hard but the struggles continue and he soon finds himself in a big crossroad.

I don't think Isaac had it easier, but since we aren't in his head and we don't know his thoughts, we assume everything is easier for him.

I liked Aaron and Jen. They were so nice and accepting. I hated Clark. That bastard!

I felt so sorry for Adam. I wish life was better for him, but he made some very poor and unwise choices.

The ending feels like a cliffhanger and I hope everything goes well in the next book, which I'm reading right away.
Profile Image for Iman (hiatus).
726 reviews260 followers
April 22, 2023
”Everything’s a sin anyway. You might as well be happy.”

That was refreshing ❤️ This book reminds me of my favourite couple Josh and Caleb from Goodbye Paradise.

This is book #2 and it started with their journey right after they left the Amish world back in A Forbidden Rumspringa. This story overall focuses on their journey only and how they adapt as a gay couple in the English world. I would say nothing much happen, but the sweet and romantic scenes, discoveries of life, glimpses of sadness and worry all complemented each other that this was a bit difficult to put down.

I love all the moments they share. How they start their new life feels so heartwarming. It was sad too, seeing them trying so hard to get out of their comfort zone but it’s so cute seeing they share those moments together. Trying new things. I had some giggles and awwhss. I’m also glad they have Isaac’s brother helping them. Like I said, this reminds me so much of my favourite book 😭❤️ I love it.

“It doesn’t feel wrong. Does it?”

David’s side of the story feels realistic and so much details. Coming from where and how they lived their life before, and now, transitioning into a “new” life was shocking and terrifying. I can’t imagine being in his place. He still worried about his family, his beliefs and he has doubts of the English world. I love those touches. Above all, David never never questioned how he felt about Isaac. It’s always “right” with Isaac. Beautiful. I’m so proud of him and Isaac.

I wish they would discuss and talk about what was going on in their head. Because they both were so lonely. I didn’t get to see a lot of Isaac’s POV, but David….sucks that he feels like he had to go through it alone. The sex-after-a-sad-scene, was a relieve to them, but ofc that won’t always help. I want them to communicate. Not through sex only. I feel so bad, David was so lonely… I wish their relationship could have helped. There were some parts where they tried to, but it all fades to black. However, I also know they both were so new to this I can’t really blame them, and the climax helped resolve that.

“He’s fitting in so well, and I was afraid he’d leave me behind.”

And what happen at the climax??? 🙂 uhm, I cried, that’s good, and it opens a deeper backstory about David. Love it, but fuck, I hated how dreadful that scene was.

So book #1 had so much more angst and intensity in the plot line, but this book focus on their journey from they left from book #1. I would say this is much more romantic with a hint of angst. I’m honestly so scared to read book #3 I know it’s gonna be angsty AF. But I need to know what’ll happen AAAAAAAAA😭😭

He imagined he could smell the hay and horses in the barn. The sawdust and sweat. Echoes of the life he’d lived. He rubbed the heavy fabric against his cheek. For all his confusion here in the world, there was one certainty that consumed him now, growing steadier with each heartbeat.

Favourite details:
Look in the mirror together, appreciating their bodies and existence. So romantic 🥰
Trying boxers for the first time. That was so cute!
October 7, 2019
Audio...4.5 stars. John Solo is a favorite narrator of mine, but I was a bit disappointed that he didn't use a German accent for Isaac and David. That's my only complaint. Otherwise his narration was on point.

Story...5 stars

It's been over 2 years since I read book 1, but it was such a memorable story, I was able to jump into book 2 with ease.

Book 2 picks up where book 1 leaves off. Isaac and David face challenges adapting to their new life outside of the Amish community. There are some really funny moments and really angsty moments. Keira Andrews deserves high praise for making their struggles believable.

I'm no fan of religion, but this trilogy is worth reading. The MCs are adorably innocent, swoonworthy, and hawt!

Profile Image for Isabel.
562 reviews106 followers
February 15, 2015
After reading and enjoying so much A Forbidden Rumspringa, I wasn't expecting so feel disappointed with this book... I don't want to spoil the story to future readers, but the main reason for my rating, is excess of guilt. Of course that guilty feelings were expected, the transition from one way of living to another completely different, would bring tension between Isaac and David... what I was not expecting was that the entire book was about guilt...

I know, deep inside, that the third book will be much, much better, and I can't wait to read it... It will make worth all the angst in this book.



Read with friends!
Profile Image for Marte - Thunderella.
784 reviews107 followers
April 18, 2015



**** 4 owie stars ****

Keira Andrews continues to write and tell a beautiful story with beautiful characters!


How David feels in this installment is just so heart squeezing. There's a lot of miscommunication and lack of communication between Isaac and David. They both holds their tongue. David is swamped with guilt and responsibility, he even has great and he turns to to deal with everything.

I find it surprising really, that there wasn't more talks between David and Isaac, and especially David and Isaac with Aaron about the new life. Aaron had a difficult time when he got out too, so shouldn't he have been more aware of the culture shock they guys was experiencing and help them ease into the English world? I guess he did some, but the weren't really any talks about it. It was like "here, live in my house and everything'll be alright." 

It's just "ow" to read, so I can't give full score because I didn't enjoy it as much as #1. 

Still, highly recommend!

On to #3 A Way Home.






Gay Amish Romance series:

#1 A Forbidden Rumspringa. My review.
A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance #1) by Keira Andrews


#2 A Clean Break.
A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2) by Keira Andrews


#3 A Way Home. My review.
A Way Home (Gay Amish Romance #3) by Keira Andrews
Profile Image for Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~.
2,232 reviews260 followers
September 14, 2015
I loved this just as much as the first. If you haven't read A Forbidden Rumspringa, (1) what are you waiting for? and (2) this review will likely have some spoilers for that story.

The switch over to David's POV from this story worked really well for me. David struggles with so much, some of which was expected based on the situation he left back in Zebulon. He has done what he can, but he can't help feeling selfish at times thinking about how difficult it must be for his mother and sisters. Isaac's brother Aaron and his wife Jen have welcomed David as family, but he feels guilty taking their hospitality without contributing, even though Aaron (who has been in the same situation) has told him to take time to adjust, find work, and then worry about payment. From the outside, it seems that Isaac is easily adjusting to English life by going to school and making friends who Aaron is afraid and embarrassed to meet. David is driven to do what he can to take care of Isaac and things seem to be looking up once he finds space to continue his carpentry business, but a lack of communication and fear of letting Isaac down cause David to spiral into jealousy and depression. Although failure to communicate is usually a big pet peeve of mine, I could understand and to some extent sympathize with David's feelings.

Happily, there was never a question that David and Isaac love and are devoted to each other. The story is not all heavy angst (although there is plenty of it). Watching Isaac and David experience the many firsts of their new English life was fun and Aaron and Jen were great secondary characters. New developments arise and there are things are left hanging at the end. It's not a complete cliff-hanger, but based on the last pages I am now even more eager to get to the final part of the story.

Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,680 reviews96 followers
December 17, 2016
A Clean Break is what might have been on Isaac and David's mind when they left their community in Zebulon. A break with their old world and its endless rules and regulations. But things are not that easy (are they ever!). I loved that we got David's POV after having Isaac's in book 1!

For David life in San Francisco could as well be on a different planet. There is so much to take in and learn he is totally overwhelmed by the experience. And boy, I felt for him. It must be awful hearing people talk in what is supposedly your language but not getting the meaning. Or feeling like an idiot for not mastering 'simple' things like dishwashers. And then there is the noise of the big city and everything it offers, like night clubs and public transport and... it all proves too much for David who is a gentle guy who likes the calm and quiet.
On top of it all Isaac is taking to the English way of living like a duck to water. He makes friends, enjoys himself, is excited like a kid at all the things he discovers. (and YES, these two buying underwear was a total highlight!) And David feels left behind and he worries and worries and worries so much, I wanted to permanently hug all the worry out of him.

David has been a carer, the man who kept his family going in Zebulon although he was so young when his father died. From where he is sitting, looking after Isaac who is younger than him, is also his responsibility. But suddenly he can't do that any longer because he finds himself completely out of his comfort zone. And he goes from bad to worse. I wanted to cry when he

To make things worse, he keeps his pain and confusion to himself and suffers quietly. Argh, all that anguish was so well done and so understandable! It really brings home why so many young Amish people who have taken the plunge to leave, only return after a short time in the 'outside' world!

David and Isaac seem to drift apart further and further, Isaac not quite seeing and acknowledging there's something wrong with David, and David not wanting to 'spoil' Isaac's joy of the English world. Just when everything comes to a head, events take a turn for the worse and we are left with a rather hefty cliffhanger. Argh!

As I am writing this review after finishing all three books, I have to say that this was my favourite in the series. Keira Andrews does a spectacular job here. David's character development is brilliantly done, and his torment is beautifully explored.

Highly recommended.

Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,893 reviews139 followers
August 3, 2024
Isaac and David are in San Fran and trying to get used to the outside world. Naturally, it doesn't go so well.

I liked getting David's POV here and seeing events from the previous book from his eyes. His guilt at leaving his family behind is palpable, and his fear of losing Isaac to the world makes a certain amount of sense. David puts a lot of pressure on himself and sees only what he does wrong - or thinks he's done wrong - and he doesn't have the skills to communicate those concerns what with his stoic, stiff upper lip upbringing. The stress takes it's natural toll, and it was sad to see him having such a hard time adjusting to freedom.

While it made sense for the miscommunications to happen, it was still frustrating to read. When the Big Misunderstanding happens though, it feels unearned and cheap. Isaac just so happens to be in the wrong place at the right time two times and it just felt contrived for the sake of melodrama and a cheap cliffhanger. They had plenty of other struggles to deal with that it just wasn't necessary.

I wish we'd have seen more of Aaron and Jen. Since Aaron admits to being in therapy because of how hard it was for him to adjust to outside life, I kept waiting for him to see the signs of David struggling but he was just kept off page for most of the book. I thought it also got too repetitive at times.
Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,689 reviews576 followers
June 7, 2017
Nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love


Well… it isn't quite that easy, but for some reason this song kept popping in my head while reading this.

Suffice it to say, the angst continues.

Isaac and David have left their Amish life behind so that they could be together, and it's a complete culture shock as they're confronted with the modern world. At times this was equal parts funny, touching, and sad - they are amazed to have choices, conveniences, and the actual freedom to explore life and each other without censure.

Told from David's POV, he tries to suppress his insecurity and to support Isaac as he explores life's options. However, David is drowning in his own guilt and fear of failing, and he struggles quite painfully and silently. They both have a lot to learn and acclimate to, but despite such daunting challenges, you still witness the conviction of their love - it warmed my heart, made me ache, and melted me into goo.

In all things, there's always a "but". It may be that all you need is love - and I have no doubt these two will persevere and have their HEA - we just have to read the last book to get it.
Profile Image for oshiiy.
415 reviews56 followers
June 7, 2021
4 stars 💫

There is a lot of things going through between David and Isaac. After leaving Zebulon, David and Isaac have arrived in San Francisco, and his brother Aaron was helping them to start their roots in San Francisco. It's just confusing them to explore the English world and they feel like they don't belong to this world. David and Isaac face a lot of problems, and they have to figure out everything. 😢😭

You know I hate the “men don't talk” trope, but Keira Andrews has done a great job not hating that point in general. I understand how it perplexed for Isaac and David to communicate with each other in the new setting. They don't know how to adapt to the English world. They don't want to be a burden on each other. But inside they are suffering, and can't hold the fact that everything is just overwhelming for both of them.

It's hate to see David bottle up everything he wants to say. David needs to TALK everything with Isaac. 🤦‍♀️ On top of all that he is having panic attacks and episodes. He is just an innocent human. 🥺 He doesn't want to bother anyone with his problem. I hate to see how miserable David becomes when he has panic attacks. 😥

This book has a very opening cliffhanger and things don't right between Isaac and David. I wish they could openly communicate their problems with each other without thinking about each of them become weak in front of both. 🙃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Meags.
2,476 reviews697 followers
December 29, 2024
4 Stars

Keira Andrews’ writing enthrals me. There is something so seemingly effortless about it. She writes the simplest of stories in such a captivating way.

I absolutely adore David and Isaac, as individual characters and as a couple. Their story may not be action packed, but it has a lot of heart—what more could I ask for?

Straight off to read the next one, because how could I not after that cliffhanger!?
Profile Image for Jewel.
1,935 reviews280 followers
April 14, 2016
Isaac and David, after leaving Zebulon at the end of A Forbidden Rumspringa, have arrived in San Francisco and are staying with Isaac's brother Aaron, who had left the Amish way of life a decade, or so, before.

Before I get into the book, itself, I must say that I loved Aaron and his wife Jen. Aaron not only left the Amish community, but he has really found his own way, and got himself an education and is now a high school math teacher. Also, he left his faith entirely behind. He's not a believer at all. His wife Jen believes in God, but isn't particularly religious. She's a doctor and an an outspoken woman who, within minutes of meeting David and Isaac she shocked their pants off (figuratively, of course) with her potty mouth. She and I would definitely get along there. Both of them are 'live and let live' people and treat others with respect and kindness.

And, a few favorite moments:
* Underwear shopping -- Isaac's reaction to seeing David in tighty whities. I'd love to see his reaction to David wearing sexy Andrew Christian underwear. Sexy!

* David and Isaac going to see the sea lions - David isn't the only one who loves watching Isaac experiencing things for the first time. Such innocence :)

* Every bit of the smexytimes. Every moment. But especially the one in front of the full length mirror. Isaac and David are so sweet and hot.

* Anna's (David's sister) phone call. I loved her in the first book and even more now. Not much gets past that girl!

Ok, moving on...

A Clean Break was heart wrenching in a lot of ways. The angst! There's so much uncertainty and so many challenges our boys never thought they'd face. After finishing it, I find I am so wrung out and drained. Man, oh, man, I need the third book now.

Though both David and Isaac face challenges in adjusting to life among "the English", David seems to have more trouble adjusting. He feels so much guilt about everything, from loving Isaac, to abandoning his family, to accepting help from Aaron and Jen. David's adjustment issues, aren't at all surprising, considering the amount of responsibility he has had to take on since his brother died and then his father. He's terrified he won't measure up and that Isaac will decide he wants other things. David's struggles really squeezed my heart until, at times, I felt I couldn't breathe.

Isaac has an easier time of it. He does have trouble relaxing and being himself, when in public, at least at first. But he embraces the ways of the world so much more easily than David. Isaac is a few years younger and never had the responsibilities that David had taken on, so he is able to see things from a fresher perspective, I suppose. Isaac embraces everything new. He starts going to school, he makes new friends and he is happy. He doesn't realize that David is sinking further into depression.

I know there is one more book to come in this series before David and Isaac really get their HEA. The ending of A Clean Break is a bit cliff-hangery, so The Way Home cannot get here soon enough for me. And I so very hope we get a Big Gay (not so Amish) Wedding at the end. I need their HEA so bad right now.
Profile Image for Dalia.
280 reviews96 followers
April 11, 2015
4.5 stars



Isaac and David arrived to San Francisco. While exploring the English world is for them exciting it's also scary and confusing. Isaac's brother Aaron and his wife Jen help them settle up and acclimate to their new life.

Now, that Isaac and David don't have to follow Amish restrictions and can be whatever they want, Isaac decides to do something different and goes to school to get his GED. David, on the other hand, continues being a carpenter.

This time the story is told from David's perspective, which is a really nice change. David struggles with guilt of leaving his mother and sisters behind in Zebulon and jealousy of others. He works hard to earn money, because he feels bad for taking from Aaron and Jen and also because he wants to be able to take proper care of Isaac.

Despite the problems David had, he didn't ask for help at all. When his mind went into really dark places he self-medicated himself instead. Even thought I understood that he was afraid that Isaac'd leave him behind if he knew how scared he is, I still wanted to smack the back of his head for his lack of communication.
It's okay to need help, David. You don't have to have all the answers.

I'm bummed that I didn't like this book as much as the first one. There's a lot of sex scenes and I ended up skimming some of them. I love how accepting and supportive Aaron and Jen are, though. They're wonderful secondary characters. I feel like the ending is just a begginning of the heavy angst I was waiting for from the start of this series, so I'm really looking forward to reading the third installment.
Profile Image for BevS.
2,853 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2023
***Audio Review ***

Another good job by John. Have downloaded A Way Home to complete the set.

Short and sweet review. Although it did have the feel of a book in the middle at times, it was great and I need book 3 like yesterday!! (A Way Home, comes out in April). Absolutely chock full of feelz, MY Isaac and MY David need closure Madame Author. A polite goodbye to Zebulon and it's inhabitants, and let them and Anna live in the real world of their own free will...Big PLEASE and thank you. 5 sparkly Clark 'the slimy git' stars from me.
Profile Image for Elsbeth.
1,299 reviews40 followers
February 7, 2017

BR with Paul, Julie and Nathan (re-read for me)

**********************************

BR, February 3rd (release day) with Julie, Marco, Marte, Trisha and Momo.

Just the rating!!! Any book that can make me a fucking mess, deserves 5 stars!!!

(Review to follow, when the others are finished)

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Profile Image for kaye taz.
479 reviews356 followers
March 27, 2025
4 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: audiobook
narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤/5

kinda unsure how to rate this bc the whole book gave absolutely nothing but the last like 5 chapters had me sobbing over and over so? i do like to cry.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,403 reviews95 followers
June 29, 2017
Wow, Clark is so on my shit list right now. How could he do that!?!?!?!?!?! And yep, it just goes to show you that surprising your significant other by showing up unexpectedly never ends well. Or at least, not in the movies or books, anyway.

David and Isaac are just as good in book 2 as they were in book 1. I love them together. They seriously need to learn to talk to each other about things that bother them . But, they are still learning how to cope and navigate as a couple, and then toss in the newness and fear of being in a new place with new people, it can all be pretty panic inducing. I wouldn't handle nearly as well, I can tell you that. I'd probably be in a ball in the corner rocking myself, LOL.

KA did a great job with this book and I have already jumped into book 3. Yay!
Profile Image for Aricka Decker.
676 reviews28 followers
September 18, 2024
“They may be sinners, but Isaac was still a gift from God.”

God I love these boys so much. I had a great time getting into David’s head and experiencing the English world through his eyes especially since he was the one who thought he was Worldy because of going to the movie theater. Seeing the boys struggle and experience San Francisco was a delight . There were some pretty emotional moments and I felt so bad for David. I understand his headspace. I hope in the last book we get a resolution to all the drama and these two sweet peas get their happily ever after because they deserve it. No matter what people in their life do or not say, the two of them deserve to be happy and together. I really love this series. David and Isaac have such a cute and steamy romance and I hope during the next installment they learn to communicate better, I trust these boys to do it. Can’t wait.
Profile Image for Izengabe.
276 reviews
July 2, 2016
¡Aaaawwwww!!! ¡Me encantan Isaac y David!! ¡MENCANTAN!! ¡Qué lindos, qué tiernos, qué adorables... y qué calientes! Y es que las escenas de sexo en esta segunda parte son *iconos de fuego*
Siguen sin convencerme algunos aspectos de la trama y pero ha sido un placer leerlo, el de Isaac y David ya está entre mis amores favoritos. <3 <3 <3
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Subo a 5 estrellas tras terminar la saga, because these two. :_D
Profile Image for Arch Bala.
Author 4 books41 followers
February 23, 2015
02.19.15
So if you haven’t read the first book (A Forbidden Rumspringa), I suggest you get a hold of it first before reading this one.

Okay, first reaction after reading it – I was seething! I was mad, and wanted to bitchslap everyone within five feet. After a couple of days, I got it together and thought about David and Isaac’s first foray into the “outside” world.

It’s been difficult for Isaac and David to leave their Amish settlement in Zebulon much more for David because he knows that he’s abandoning his mother and two sisters to fend for themselves. He was ridden with guilt and with Isaac’s love; he’s trying to make it day by day.

The boys made their way to San Francisco and settled into Isaac’s big bro Aaron and his wife’s place. Things seemed to go easy for Isaac as he decided to continue his schooling and makes new friends. David on the other hand, still struggles to reconcile with his guilt and his new environment. With guilt, insecurity and fear marring their new life, Isaac and David needs to remember why they’ve escaped from their former world in the first place.

The whole story was told from David’s POV this time. His voice was very different from Isaac’s. With a stark realization of their new life finally dawning on him, David finds himself struggling to come to terms with it. I loved that the author made it a point to tackle every issue warring inside David's mind. We’re flooded with his insecurities, with his fears and his hesitation to move forward with this new life. We also see how he truly loves his Isaac and how much he’s willing to sacrifice for his happiness. I was honestly hurting for him all throughout his lamentation. It was heartbreaking whenever he feels so alone with his internal battles. He doesn’t want to show Isaac his weakness and it’s painful to see how he’s not coping well with his new environment.

Can I just mention how I loved the part when Jen’s family visited their place? That was awesome and just 100% pinoy. It was very authentic and I was touched that Keira Andrews made it a point to really reflect the usual Filipino flare for siestas and family togetherness. I wonder who the inspiration was for Jen’s character.

Oh, no. Don’t even get me started with Clark. Okay, I won’t say anything more about this a-hole but something needs to happen to him in the final book. Like really, something bad.

I’ve been reading tons of comments about this installment not having some kind of a “peaceful agreement” between our main couple regardless of the intended cliffhanger. I was pretty satisfied with it though. I see the direction the author was going and I totally understand why some people feel that there should’ve been more to it at the end before the cliffie. I don’t know but the whole vibe of this second book was apt to David’s character and that ending gives so much reflection to his character. How he’s got so much to overcome especially with all his internal battles and his needs to overcome his anxiety. When his resolve to go back to Zebulon to follow Isaac and not leave without him – it was then I realized how really strong his character was despite everything that happened. A Clean Break was David’s story of trying to acknowledge his flaws, trying to ask for help and trying to come to terms with all his decisions.

This for me was a perfect sequel to their story and I’m so looking forward to the final book of this series! Thank you Keira Andrews for another stunning story!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


02.04.15
Okay, so how many of you wanted to maim Clark?????!!! That stupid little shit!!!

I'm hyperventilating right now.
I need book three like right this very second. What a torturous wait!!

Lastly, big hugs for Aaron, June, Gary and Jen...

And to my babies Isaac and David...gaaahhh


FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW.
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I won't read any reviews for this one yet because I'm pretty sure it's gonna be amazing! Can't wait to read this one!!! Please Keira Andrews - I cannot take too much jealousy from David's part. Poor thing. Let there not be too much jealousy >_<

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And it's coming after Rise & Fall - ugh. that would be a weekfest of goodness!
Profile Image for MaDoReader.
1,356 reviews167 followers
August 3, 2016
Aunque Isaac y David son un amor, no me ha convencido esta segunda entrega, de hecho, me he aburrido en algunas partes, aunque supongo que es necesaria para cerrar el círculo..



Las escenas entre ambos MC, lo mejor del libro sin duda, y directa al 3 que voy!!
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