Always Fraser

Broken Point #1

by A.K. Steel

My twin's hot best friend was my high school crush I was supposed to outgrow—except I never did.When my life falls apart, I find myself back in the sleepy beach town of my childhood, facing my brother's best friend, Fraser Davis. He's interviewing me for a job I desperately need, and the spark between us ignites again. Being near him stirs up a chemistry I've never found with anyone else, despite my attempts to shake this addiction.Getting involved with Fraser seems like a terrible idea. He's possessive, jealous, and still clings to the idea that he owns a piece of me, even after seven years. Walking away would be the smart move, but when has desire ever been sensible? He was my first kiss, my first love, my first everything. I convince myself that this time will be different, that people can outgrow their pasts.But history tells me that things with Fraser were never simple. And this time around, it's bound to be even more complicated than I could ever imagine.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Amazon

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2021

About the author

A. K. Steel is a steamy romance and romantic suspense author. She lives on the beautiful South Coast of NSW, Australia, with her partner and three pre-teens, a Cocker Spaniel, and a Lovebird. When she's not writing or daydreaming about new story ideas, you can find her playing with flowers at the local flower shop or kicking a soccer ball around with her team.

A. K. takes readers on thrilling escapes from reality into her captivating world. With an intoxicating blend of danger and desire, her stories plunge readers into unforgettable journeys where they surrender to the dangerous charms of irresistible heroes and the fierce heroines they love. Lose yourself in fiery chemistry, delectable plot twists, and edge-of-your-seat adventures that culminate in satisfying happily ever afters.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! I really enjoyed it. There's something great about a brother's best friend romance!

Elly is a strong woman who has found herself in some hard times. She's moved back home with her parents and doesn't have too many friends around town anymore. It's almost fate she meets Blake and they quickly forge a great friendship. Because it turns out Blake is also best friends with her brother's best friend Fraser.

Fraser has always felt something for Elly but has been scared to act on his feelings because it's his best friend Drew's sister. He also has some self-confidence issues with his past that he needs to deal with. He is so possessive and jealous when it comes to Elly. I loved it!

I was rooting for these two the entire book. There were a couple of twists that happened I wasn't expecting. I really hope we get to continue to see them in the next book!

[Kirstie Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED this! What an interesting multi layered story where there is so much going on that it keeps you eagerly turning the pages. I enjoyed watching the characters grow and start to find their footing in their careers and life. This had me feeling like I was sitting in the café at the small Aussie beachside town watching the story unfold around me. The Aussie slang is real and not “over the top movie like” and there is definitely some sizzling action between Elena and Fraser. I fell in love with Elena and Fraser but I also started to grow fond of the other characters and I’m left with the feeling of wanting to know more about them as well. I can't wait for the next story.

[Kelly Fraser]

DNF @ 41%

Thought it would be cute to read this for my anniversary because my last name is Fraser but instead I felt like I was reading a book from like 2012 or 2014. The FMC literally says “she’s not like other girls” and “she really only hangs out with guys because girls are too much drama. The MMC is way too over protective and possessive of her in a not okay way. Women are called sluts by other women more than once! There are two female romantic rivals that were just such caricatures of the mean girl stereotype (one’s only line was “no thanks! They look like total bitches” when someone asked if she wanted to dance with the main girl group).

Also the main reason the FMC and MMC can’t be together is because she made a pact with her twin brother in high school that they wouldn’t date each other’s friends. They’re now all adults and the brother doesn’t even live in the same town anymore so why is there a problem?!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

not bad for a debut novel. Elli returns home after a bad breakup only to find the one person who truly broke her heart when she was a teenager. Fraser is her older brothers best friend and while he's never been relationship material he now knows that Elli is what he wants. Drama, angst, and of course big brother and family all play a part in this easy to read romance, with a HEA, I look forward to reading more from this author

[Anastasija Gorcic · Rating 1 out of 5]

She keeps saying that she is not a pushover, but that’s exactly what she is.
She said that she hated being blonde, after they start dating, she goes back to blonde.
When she was mad at MMC, everyone was telling her to forgive him and she did even though there was no groveling and he didn’t deserve it.
And in the end, after another argument she didn’t even make him apologize.

MMC is immature jerk who can’t keep it in his pants. They reconnected end after he broke up with her got drunk and went home with OW but didn’t sleep with her because his roommate stopped him. He didn’t even see the problem in that and never groveled. After second argument he was sitting in the bar and thinking about finding a girl to fuck because he thought FMC cheated on him and it would be only fair.

There is a lot more things that I hated, but there is no need for me to keep wasting time on writing it.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena (“Elly”) has the worst boss in the world. The entire staff calls her “The Dragon”. She sits in her office polishing her nails while the staff works late into the night to complete her unfair assignments. She does nothing at all to help. When a project gets moved up, they have only a week to prepare the new designs for the TV renovation show. At the last minute The Dragon tells them to stay all night because she wants the entire design plan by tomorrow so she doesn’t have to stress about it. Elena storms into her office, furious at the unconscionable unfairness of her lazy boss who sits there filing her nails. The boss warns her that if she quits, she will smear her name so she will never get another job in her field. But she has had enough and she leaves.

It is pouring rain and she tries to call her boyfriend to pick her up, but his phone must be silenced. So she waits a half hour in the rain for the bus. They are getting married in 3 months and she has no idea how she will tell him she quit her job when they need all the money they can get right now. She walks into the quiet apartment and figures she will shower until he gets home. But she opens the bedroom door to see him energetically pleasing a woman! He tells her he intended to stop once they were married! Being with one person for the rest of his life was scary, he said, so he needed to do this before settling down! So he offered to leave… for a couple hours until she calmed down!!! Six years together, and he has no clue what he has done. She showers and packs and heads back to her home town to move back with her parents.

Her dad asked her to show the Architect around when he arrived to check out the beach villas they are building. She showered and the doorbell rang, much earlier than the Architect was expected. But it was the builder, Blake, instead coming from another job. He obviously doesn’t want to deal with her, even when she assures him she knows the plan and design equally as well as her dad since they worked on them together. But he tells her she can go inside while he takes measurements. But when he comes back in, he asks her out for pizza that evening. They get drunk and have a great time, and Blake comes by the next morning to take her for breakfast.

When Elena’s older brother comes over with his fiancée they are chatting and Theo asks if it’s a good idea to hang out with Blake. He asks if she knows Blake’s business partner is Fraser Davis? The Architect! The man she has never gotten over, her twin’s best friend!

Fraser has never been relationship material, never letting any female get close. But when Elly comes back and they meet again, he finally knows what he wants. With Drew, his best friend, coming back for the birthday party, will he try again to stop Fraser and Elly from reconnecting? Will Fraser convince her he truly loves her and she’s the only one for him?

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a cute yet emotional read and I really enjoyed it. Elly starts out by having the worst day ever after she quits her job because her boss is unbearable, she goes home to find her fiancé cheating on her. After all that she walks away and moves back home where she quickly makes friends with Blake and reunites with people from her past. Fraser is the one guy she has always been in love with, but he broke her heart because he would never choose her over his friendship with her brother. They have a history and fate has thrown them back together, so Fraser has decided he isn’t letting her go ever again. This book got emotional especially when we learn all about Fraser’s past and all the people in his present making waves. If it weren’t for Blake choosing to stand by his side and not letting him go down a path of self-destruction, Fraser would have lived in regret until he perished away. Fate brings these two together only to find out what they will do to stay together when presented with a lot of issues and if they can get over it all to be together. Not to give too much away because the emotions should be felt while reading, I felt so bad for Fraser and understood his issues, but towards the end I wished he would have stood up for Elly instead of taking off to clear his head again. First time reading this author and it was good, I can’t wait to read about Blake next.

[Anita _booktoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an impressive first book by A.K. Steel. While it took me a little bit to get into her style of writing, once it clicked it flowed quite well. There are a number of twists and turns that I didn’t really see coming or expecting at that place in the story, but they fit well and helped with character growth.

Elly is still a little naive and innocent for a 26 yo. But after a bad break up she’s come home to find herself again. She also finds her teenage love that broke her heart. While she learns to navigate working with someone you love, finding old friends and new nemesis’ she grows exponentially and learns a lot about life and how to live it.

While Fraser is nowhere near as innocent about life, he is completely clueless about relationships- how to be in one, how to rely on your partner and how to trust your partner. He makes many mistakes that I just want to slap him for but slowly, with a bit of help, he starts to work it out.

Life throws some massive curveballs at these two, while they do their best to juggle it all. Mistakes are made, hearts are broken, but time, love and understanding can heal almost anything.

I look forward to seeing the other characters get their HEA’s.

ARC received for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena (Elly) is working for a thankless boss (nicknamed The Dragon), getting married in a few months and then bam! she’s back in her parents how after everything blows up. Her boss hit the last nerve and she quit, went home and found her fiancé cheating on her and clueless about what he did wrong?!
Fraser and Elly have a past. Now they’re back in the same town and working together. Their connection never faded and holy hotness 🔥They want to keep it a secret from Ellys family while they figure things out. But family always knows.
A story about friendship, love, and the importance of family, blood or not.

‘Family is not the blood you share but the people you choose.’

Really enjoy how much the other characters are involved and entwined in the story. You really fall for them too. Always Fraser is a feel good, fun read.
I love books set in other countries (or written by authors in different countries). It’s fun to learn new meanings for words/sayings 😊

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series and is a debut from this author. This is Fraser and Elena’s journey. Elena has been in love with her twins’ best friends for a long time, and when he breaks her heart, she leaves town to focus on her career and making a new life for herself. When things are not going to plan 7-years later, Elena returns to her hometown and is back staying with her parents. When Elena goes for an interview for a much-needed job, just her luck that it is Fraser who interviews her. There is an intense attraction between these two, and Fraser knows that she is the only girl for him. This is a well written story which has undeniable chemistry, and with family, drama, trust, angst, emotions, twists, and love. I was hooked throughout this story, and I look forward to reading more form this talented author whose work I recommend.

[Andrea ( books_fiction_desire ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Fraser was an absolutely beautiful romance novel, filled with so much emotion, passion, hot scenes and many twists.

The love that Elena and Fraser shared was so powerful and emotional. They might lost some years between them but they picked it up again once Elena moved back home after her broken relationship. I guess she always felt that connection to Fraser but at the same time she had a hard time with trust and her worst fear of her brother finding out that they broke the promise they made as kids to not date any of the friends.

With their relationship now out in the open now more challenges come their way however the love they have for each is stronger than anything.

This is a definitely a story to be added on anyone’s list ❤️

[Denise Strehl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anger, Poor Decions, Alcoholism. No Thanks.

I was very frustrated reading this book; was that the intention? I also cringed at some things.

The heroine is naive, dare I say stupid, in her decision-making. The hero is extremely insecure, making him angry, distrustful and jealous and causing him to make poor decisions too. Complicate that with that he’s also an alcoholic.

I really disliked how the hero spoke to the heroine while having sex, it was crude and disrespectful—certainly not lovingly. The sex was rough; I don’t like that either. His anger coupled with his pleading for forgiveness on several occasions seem to me are signs of later verbal, emotional, and/or physical abuse.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story thats told by both POVs, strong independent Elena who’s always been in love with her twin brother’s best friend Fraser. Fraser is a playboy that plays with women for a few weeks and finds someone new to repeat.
There is a bit of other woman, Shea, causing trouble and later the women’s brother will cause trouble too that took this from a 5 star to a 4 star because I really don’t have a problem with a jealous woman that causes some problems but literally threatened someone to cause personal harm for her action to cause a pregnant woman to chase after someone and get harms, just for revenge, it’s despicable.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elena mixes business and pleasure with her brother’s best friend, making things very complicated by trying to keep it a secret. She really gets badly hurt by him after he makes promises. He has a lot of emotional baggage and trauma he has never dealt with and he tries to burn his life to the ground because of it. I like that when Fraser accepts help, he goes all in. He has amazing friends and family. So does Elena. She does not do a very good job of giving the benefit of the doubt, acting like her family doesn’t know Fraser so well to know something serious is happening.

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

[Conna N Condon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Australia based story for locales and idioms. Elly has a day from hell with a horrific boss, so she quits and gets home early to a cheating fiancé. She moves back home and gets a job at a café with her bestie GF while building a business to do interior design on homes staged to sell. This involves working with her hidden first love, Fraser, her twin brother’s best friend and the man who broke her heart years ago. That would be a good story. But, no, there is another story about Fraser’s birth. Next change of story develops the jealous worker. All of the story has lots and lots of sex, most of it male dominant. At 30% I was ready to be done. I did not like the male lead… not a big fan of the female. Surprised I finished it.

[Annie (annie.books.obsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by A.K. Steel. It took me a little while to get into his writing style, but once I got into it, it flowed really well. I love that the story is told by both POVs.

Elena is a strong and independent woman, always in love with Fraser his childhood friend. Fraser is a playboy that plays with woman to try to forget about Elena.

Elena's return to her hometown will change the future for both. Fraser and Elena have history but when they meet again an reconnect nothing can separate them.

Always Fraser is a feel good and fun read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A.K Steele is a new Author and this is her debut book. Always Fraser is a very good first novel. It is well written and the story flows. While I enjoyed the story and the character development was great I feel I have read this story a lot, there was no twist or OMG moment. In saying that that I enjoyed the read it was descriptive and I didn’t get bored. Fraser and Elly are a perfect match and it was great to read there story.

[KateZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the start of this book. Everything seems so real about normal healthy relationships between guys and girls.

Fraser and Elly are so right for each other. They go through lots of struggles and almost make it to the end with everything back on track.

But the very last misunderstanding was too much for me. He was such a dick thinking the worst of Ellie. I probably wouldn’t have taken him back so easily if it was done to me.

So I couldn’t give this 5 stars.

[Scishellgmail.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional roller-coaster but the chemistry is insane 🌶🌶🌶🌶

A forbidden romance, a very jealous brothers best friend, they can't keep their hands off eachother but they both have past trust issues to work through. Just when you think everything is going to work out ok, bam! The story takes an unexpected twist and the emotional upheaval starts all over again. The best friends are also amazing in this book, they are the best support for the 2 main characters.

[Vanessa Condran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Knowing it was a debut book for this author, makes me excited to read her future books. The author certainly has a way with words that allow you to be caught up in the storyline. Loved the chemistry between the 2 main characters. A few twists and turns made it hard to put the book down.

[Jacinta - Aussie Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This is a new to me author and I am so glad I found her. This book was a lovely surprise and just what I needed to get me out of the little book slump I was in. It has absolutely everything you could want in a contemporary romance. It has the brothers best friend, the angst, the steam oh boy the steam and if course the HEA. Can't wait to read the next one

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fraser and Elly - brothers best friend, second chance

Elly moves back in with her parents while saving for her own apartment after her failed engagement. She meets Blake who tells her he will help her get a job if she comes to the office Monday morning where he is co-owner. She didn’t realize Fraser was back in town and that he owns a thriving company, with Blake of all people.

[Madeaishername · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It was not bad. It was a comfort pillow type of book. There wasn’t a lot of drama and angst as i expected. Just a pinchful. I loved it. The characters knew what they wanted and they didn’t bother with no other bullshit. It was a happy ending and a happy ride. The 🌶 scenes were good. MMC knows how to do a good dirty talk.

🌼

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The angst and drama was almost too much to keep up with sometimes but it all fit together extremely well. The plot was great and I loved the little twists in the book. It wasn't one major thing rather, a few small conflicts which I really liked. However, something just felt missing in the book thus the 4.0 rating. I would still recommend reading.

[Marisa Poor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book in a “date with a book” gift. It wasn’t bad for a debut novel. Definitely a different style writing then I’m use to reading. The main chick is a pretty strong lead for finding herself in a typical romance book storyline. The spicy scenes where written pretty well to as well as the male pov.

[Jess Greenland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the books a little out of order, so it was fun getting to where I knew things were going.

There are a handful of editing errors that don't cause any harm just a re-read of the sentence to make sure you've got it right, but a good story with likable characters.

[Tina Sanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story

This is actually a very well written book. Not full of typos and what knots. I liked the teen crush on brothers friend thing. It really worked for these two. Of course they find there happy ever after, but not till they go through slot of other of life quanderies.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well written marshmallows book. Fraser and Elly isn't my normal kind of read because it's soft and fluffy. But still had some heat.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always Fraser
Book 1 of Broken Point
A. K. Steel

This is a story that I highly recommend to you to read. It is a story about family, friendships, secrets, heart break, trust and love. Great characters, Elena (Elly) and Fraser, great chemistry and banter. Great read.

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a swoon-worthy, second-chance romance with a dash of nostalgia, small-town charm, and a slow-burning passion that will leave them breathless and rooting for the rekindled love between the two main characters.