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Escorted #1.5
Breaking
He spent years selling his body, having sex with women for money. He could please them better than anyone else.
Now he has only one woman to please.
He knows what to do with her body. He wants her, needs her, takes her--until she can't take any more.
But what they have is so much more than bodies moving together. He loves her, loves her, loves her.
He still doesn't always know how.
Breaking is an erotic novella (21,000 words) that can be read as a standalone, although it features characters from Escorted.
Now he has only one woman to please.
He knows what to do with her body. He wants her, needs her, takes her--until she can't take any more.
But what they have is so much more than bodies moving together. He loves her, loves her, loves her.
He still doesn't always know how.
Breaking is an erotic novella (21,000 words) that can be read as a standalone, although it features characters from Escorted.
Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2013
114 people are currently reading
1348 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kent
40 books2,116 followersClaire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. After teaching English at the university level for several years, she started writing full-time under two different pen names. She lives in Virginia.
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
July 17, 2013
Short.
Steamy.
Sequel.
2.5 stars. Call Breaking an extended epilogue if you will. Readers are taken back into the lives of Lori and Ander as they are living not long after the end of Escorted.
I would liken this extended short to Bella and Z's extra story from the BDB series. You think the Happy-Ever-After has happened and everyone has moved on to a better place in life, but you realize that there's more to the story under the surface.
Breaking gives us the opportunity to see how two people continue on with their lives after they managed to come together through unconventional circumstances. I can't imagine that anyone would be able to overcome the obstacles that this couple had to and not come out on the other side unscathed. And this is exactly what we are dropped into.
This may just be another testament to the power of love, but there's nothing wrong with that, right?
Oh, and the sex was nice, if a bit much for the plot-to-sex ratio. :)
This book provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Steamy.
Sequel.
2.5 stars. Call Breaking an extended epilogue if you will. Readers are taken back into the lives of Lori and Ander as they are living not long after the end of Escorted.
I would liken this extended short to Bella and Z's extra story from the BDB series. You think the Happy-Ever-After has happened and everyone has moved on to a better place in life, but you realize that there's more to the story under the surface.
Breaking gives us the opportunity to see how two people continue on with their lives after they managed to come together through unconventional circumstances. I can't imagine that anyone would be able to overcome the obstacles that this couple had to and not come out on the other side unscathed. And this is exactly what we are dropped into.
This may just be another testament to the power of love, but there's nothing wrong with that, right?
Oh, and the sex was nice, if a bit much for the plot-to-sex ratio. :)
This book provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2013
A Whole Lot of Sex With a Little Story On The Side
I had a hard time deciding how to rate Breaking. On the one hand I really loved the first book featuring these two characters, Escorted, and I was excited to continue their journey. On the other hand, based on its own merits this novella didn’t really rock my socks. 3 stars it is!
Breaking is told from Zander’s point of view and the title aptly fits the man we meet this time around. Back from an archeological dig…somewhere, his first order of business is to partake in some sexy times with his fiancée, Lori. Not surprising considering they’ve been apart for six weeks but it quickly becomes apparent, not only to the reader but to Lori, that Zander’s got other reasons for wanting to get down to business. He’s hurting and he wants to lose himself. Over the next couple of book days a pattern develops; Zander’s feeling pain, Lori asks what’s wrong, and Zander denies the pain and sexes Lori up. Repeat. Throw in a few long study sessions to dull the pain and you’ve pretty much got the gist of the story. Zander hurts, Lori wants to help, Zander won’t let her inside his head but makes sure she enjoys some hot lovin’. There are quite a few inner Zander monologues where he talks about how broken he is and doesn’t deserve Lori. That got old real quick because we don’t actually find out why Zander feels broken until about the 80% mark. The situation made perfect sense if you’ve read Escorted but by that point I was ready to move on.
The thing I liked most was the relationship between Zander and Lori. There’s so much unconditional love between these two and it’s more than evident in this story.
You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, and you’re the only one I ever will. You understand, don’t you, that the world turns for me only because you’re in it.”
Damnit, Zander! You’re going to make me cry! Oh, alright. Keep being sweet to your woman, I don’t mind.
While not an overly good or bad read for me, I’d still recommend this to folks who don’t mind a lot of sex and a little story, or for those that want a little continuation to the Zander and Lori story first started in Escorted.
ARC provided from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
I had a hard time deciding how to rate Breaking. On the one hand I really loved the first book featuring these two characters, Escorted, and I was excited to continue their journey. On the other hand, based on its own merits this novella didn’t really rock my socks. 3 stars it is!
Breaking is told from Zander’s point of view and the title aptly fits the man we meet this time around. Back from an archeological dig…somewhere, his first order of business is to partake in some sexy times with his fiancée, Lori. Not surprising considering they’ve been apart for six weeks but it quickly becomes apparent, not only to the reader but to Lori, that Zander’s got other reasons for wanting to get down to business. He’s hurting and he wants to lose himself. Over the next couple of book days a pattern develops; Zander’s feeling pain, Lori asks what’s wrong, and Zander denies the pain and sexes Lori up. Repeat. Throw in a few long study sessions to dull the pain and you’ve pretty much got the gist of the story. Zander hurts, Lori wants to help, Zander won’t let her inside his head but makes sure she enjoys some hot lovin’. There are quite a few inner Zander monologues where he talks about how broken he is and doesn’t deserve Lori. That got old real quick because we don’t actually find out why Zander feels broken until about the 80% mark. The situation made perfect sense if you’ve read Escorted but by that point I was ready to move on.
The thing I liked most was the relationship between Zander and Lori. There’s so much unconditional love between these two and it’s more than evident in this story.
You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, and you’re the only one I ever will. You understand, don’t you, that the world turns for me only because you’re in it.”
Damnit, Zander! You’re going to make me cry! Oh, alright. Keep being sweet to your woman, I don’t mind.
While not an overly good or bad read for me, I’d still recommend this to folks who don’t mind a lot of sex and a little story, or for those that want a little continuation to the Zander and Lori story first started in Escorted.
ARC provided from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
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July 10, 2013I seriously tried......
So disappointed in this book. I rated the first in the series as five stars for goodness sakes! How can we go from five stars to dnf? Well, sometimes we come across a book that really just needed to end in the first. I'm not even sure WHY this book was made really, other than to give us insight as to what holds Ander back emotionally. What he hides of himself. I never did get that answer and I quit at 70%. I'm all about angst and drama but this whole book was centered around either constant angsty sex scenes or her asking him what's the matter....him saying he's fine- when it's obviously not. I'm too busy to play those games, much less read about them for hours. Communicate people! I just couldn't hold out any longer. I hate to do it to an arc that was graciously given to me for review but my honesty comes first.
Moving on.....
Arc received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So disappointed in this book. I rated the first in the series as five stars for goodness sakes! How can we go from five stars to dnf? Well, sometimes we come across a book that really just needed to end in the first. I'm not even sure WHY this book was made really, other than to give us insight as to what holds Ander back emotionally. What he hides of himself. I never did get that answer and I quit at 70%. I'm all about angst and drama but this whole book was centered around either constant angsty sex scenes or her asking him what's the matter....him saying he's fine- when it's obviously not. I'm too busy to play those games, much less read about them for hours. Communicate people! I just couldn't hold out any longer. I hate to do it to an arc that was graciously given to me for review but my honesty comes first.
Moving on.....
Arc received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2020
There is too much sex, I won’t deny that but I see the purpose. He’s using it as a crutch and it’s building up. I think it’s pivotal when Lori tells him; “I don’t need another orgasm, Ander. I need you.”
I will say that when it finally came out it was a little anticlimactic. What didn’t disappoint were the raw emotions and the love and affection they share.
I will say that when it finally came out it was a little anticlimactic. What didn’t disappoint were the raw emotions and the love and affection they share.
July 30, 2013
“I think everyone is broken. In some way. It’s just part of being human.”
Ander has some issues. As sexy as he is, he is definitely broken. With his past and now future staring him in the face, it takes everything he has to keep it together.
Devastating news comes to Ander while he is away and because he just needs some comfort of home, he leaves early and returns to his fiancée, Lori. But Ander is having trouble sharing what is really bothering him with the one woman he has vowed to love forever…so instead he pushes to be closer to her on a physical level because he knows it will keep her from asking too many questions. Ander didn’t count on the fact that Lori knows him like no other and can read him like a book.
“So, maybe you can’t be perfect and broken at the same time…but you’re perfect for me.”
Lori knows something is up and no matter how she tries, Ander pushes her away. Insecurities run high on both sides of their relationship and when Lori finally voices her concerns in a way Ander understands; he sees that by trying to “protect” her from his demons, he’s hurting her more by not letting her in.
Relationships take work; communication as well as other forms of intimacy.
Sharing his heartaches and troubles aren’t easy, but he does it and the bond that Ander thought was strong…becomes unbreakable.
“The dawn would come eventually, and what was broken could mend.”
Short. Sweet. Real.
Definitely a couple I enjoyed reading about and I look forward to more from Claire Kent. If you haven’t read Escorted, do so first! This is continuation of Ander and Lori’s story and may give away spoilers to the first book.
For me: Ander has way too many insecurities for the past he has…and Lori is one awesome female. She is strong (even if she can’t understand how someone like Ander would want her) and beautiful. She is independent and I love when I can read about a woman that supports her man instead of always the other way around. What a nice change of pace.
**4 Sensitive Male Stars**
Title provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Ander has some issues. As sexy as he is, he is definitely broken. With his past and now future staring him in the face, it takes everything he has to keep it together.
Devastating news comes to Ander while he is away and because he just needs some comfort of home, he leaves early and returns to his fiancée, Lori. But Ander is having trouble sharing what is really bothering him with the one woman he has vowed to love forever…so instead he pushes to be closer to her on a physical level because he knows it will keep her from asking too many questions. Ander didn’t count on the fact that Lori knows him like no other and can read him like a book.
“So, maybe you can’t be perfect and broken at the same time…but you’re perfect for me.”
Lori knows something is up and no matter how she tries, Ander pushes her away. Insecurities run high on both sides of their relationship and when Lori finally voices her concerns in a way Ander understands; he sees that by trying to “protect” her from his demons, he’s hurting her more by not letting her in.
Relationships take work; communication as well as other forms of intimacy.
Sharing his heartaches and troubles aren’t easy, but he does it and the bond that Ander thought was strong…becomes unbreakable.
“The dawn would come eventually, and what was broken could mend.”
Short. Sweet. Real.
Definitely a couple I enjoyed reading about and I look forward to more from Claire Kent. If you haven’t read Escorted, do so first! This is continuation of Ander and Lori’s story and may give away spoilers to the first book.
For me: Ander has way too many insecurities for the past he has…and Lori is one awesome female. She is strong (even if she can’t understand how someone like Ander would want her) and beautiful. She is independent and I love when I can read about a woman that supports her man instead of always the other way around. What a nice change of pace.
**4 Sensitive Male Stars**
Title provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 20, 2021
This couple set the new standard for hot and heavy. This is steam to an intense level.
What makes it work so well is the depth of emotion this couple are both dealing with. I loved that this was in Ander’s point of view as book one was not. And wow! He is truly struggling with how to be what he thinks Lori wants or expects. For a novella this is a deep read that delves into the issues this hero has carried with him throughout his life.
Such a beautiful, sensual story that is filled to the brim with emotion.
Hero POV
Safe
Triggers
What makes it work so well is the depth of emotion this couple are both dealing with. I loved that this was in Ander’s point of view as book one was not. And wow! He is truly struggling with how to be what he thinks Lori wants or expects. For a novella this is a deep read that delves into the issues this hero has carried with him throughout his life.
Such a beautiful, sensual story that is filled to the brim with emotion.
Hero POV
Safe
Triggers
July 24, 2014
Received novella from Net Gallery for an honest review.
Lori and Ander's story continues for the span of a few days in this novella. If you read Escorted, then you are already very intimately aware of how these two fell in love and a little bit of Ander's history. Even though the author says it can be read without first reading Escorted; I am not sure if that would work. But you have nothing to lose - since Escorted was a awesome book - so you should get on that like yesterday and read it.
Ander's has returned from his dig and something is eating away at him. He is not the guy that breaks - he is not the weak man his father always told him he was as a kid. Lori can sense a shift in him, but he can't seem to let go and let her in. In the midst of this novella that is full of some great sex scenes (as only Ander's can deliver) you get to see Lori work her way through to him - you see him breaking down but at the same time seeing that the only way he can become fixed is to let the pieces shatter so they can be put back together again.
As a stand alone - this would not have done much for me, so I do recommend that you check out Escorted first.
Lori and Ander's story continues for the span of a few days in this novella. If you read Escorted, then you are already very intimately aware of how these two fell in love and a little bit of Ander's history. Even though the author says it can be read without first reading Escorted; I am not sure if that would work. But you have nothing to lose - since Escorted was a awesome book - so you should get on that like yesterday and read it.
Ander's has returned from his dig and something is eating away at him. He is not the guy that breaks - he is not the weak man his father always told him he was as a kid. Lori can sense a shift in him, but he can't seem to let go and let her in. In the midst of this novella that is full of some great sex scenes (as only Ander's can deliver) you get to see Lori work her way through to him - you see him breaking down but at the same time seeing that the only way he can become fixed is to let the pieces shatter so they can be put back together again.
As a stand alone - this would not have done much for me, so I do recommend that you check out Escorted first.
July 16, 2013
This was an OK read for those who have read Escorted. It follows on from book 1 and is written in Ander's POV. The storyline was a bit weak for me, it consisted of Ander holding something back from Lori and when we eventually find out what it is it fell a bit flat.
There was a lot of sex in this novella and I found myself skimming a bit.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot of sex in this novella and I found myself skimming a bit.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2017
After reading and loving ‘Escorted’ where we met this couple, I was very curious about this novella. Because ‘Breaking’ is a ‘new story’ about the couple. And I can tell you that I loved it very much. The story was emotional and sexy. This time we got to read the story from Ander’s POV. That was one of the things that I liked very much of this story. I’m happy that the writer gave us this story about Lori and Ander.
October 25, 2021
Ahhh... Ander just breaks my heart.
July 10, 2015
YAY!!!!!!!!! LOVED IT........
It was like an extended prologue. It was short and amazingly good. I want more...
Please there be another book.....
May 15, 2024
"You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved, and you’re the only one I ever will. You understand, don’t you, that the world turns for me only because you’re in it."
Not much else to say. It's 90% sex and then discussing some insecurities. It's really short and again - just sex.
September 28, 2022
3.5 stars
August 8, 2013
Interesting short follow up to Escorted, was interested to see how Lori and Anders relationship had developed, lots of steamy action, but it felt that the story could have had a bit of a plot to it, it skimmed over it all really.
Enjoyed it, but it could have been so much more.
Enjoyed it, but it could have been so much more.
October 16, 2023
I'm so glad I got KU so I could finally read the sequel novella and cross this off my TBR. I will say it's sad how many books I've rated 3 stars in a row (this makes seven after a one-star).
I would have never expected
I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone novella as the author suggests. Only fans of book 1 should read it for the characters' conclusion.
I read @⚔Irunía⚔'s review of Book 1, and she was so right in how during the sex scenes, the hero constantly asks the heroine if she's all right, and she always says, "I'm good, god, I'm good."
The sex scenes weren't even hot. This book and the last book I read and gave three stars to, Hitched by Lauren Biel, are low 3 stars, like I am being generous.
I would have never expected
I don't recommend reading this book as a standalone novella as the author suggests. Only fans of book 1 should read it for the characters' conclusion.
I read @⚔Irunía⚔'s review of Book 1, and she was so right in how during the sex scenes, the hero constantly asks the heroine if she's all right, and she always says, "I'm good, god, I'm good."
The sex scenes weren't even hot. This book and the last book I read and gave three stars to, Hitched by Lauren Biel, are low 3 stars, like I am being generous.
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July 10, 2013
07/09/2013 --
Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 2 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$0.99 on Amazon]
Two things I need to say immediately:
1 -- I'm not a huge fan of short stories.
2 -- I really, seriously like this author.
Escorted was one of my fabulous freebies for the year. I enjoyed it tremendously. When I got the chance to read a short continuation of this story, I jumped at the chance.
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WITHOUT READING Escorted. You won't get it, will be confused which would be a shame. This does not stand-alone.
It was okay, but it was too short [you just knew I would say this??], and it lacked character development. It assumes you immediately read Escorted just prior to this story. I had to really try to remember details of Escorted I read 6 months or so ago and about 100 books ago. Tough.
There were many intimate smexy scenes, almost too much for this format. Saying this, they were very well done.
I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it from the publisher via an ARC on Netgalley. This is my impartial, honest review.
Happy Reading!
Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 3 = 3.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 2 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars [$0.99 on Amazon]
Two things I need to say immediately:
1 -- I'm not a huge fan of short stories.
2 -- I really, seriously like this author.
Escorted was one of my fabulous freebies for the year. I enjoyed it tremendously. When I got the chance to read a short continuation of this story, I jumped at the chance.
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WITHOUT READING Escorted. You won't get it, will be confused which would be a shame. This does not stand-alone.
It was okay, but it was too short [you just knew I would say this??], and it lacked character development. It assumes you immediately read Escorted just prior to this story. I had to really try to remember details of Escorted I read 6 months or so ago and about 100 books ago. Tough.
There were many intimate smexy scenes, almost too much for this format. Saying this, they were very well done.
I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it from the publisher via an ARC on Netgalley. This is my impartial, honest review.
Happy Reading!
July 11, 2013
This short novella returns to Ander and Lori that spans about three days or so and is told from Ander’s POV. Kent does a good job of rolling the sex scenes and cute banter into this short story that follows the events of ESCORTED.
I thought it was a treat to be able to read from Ander’s POV and seeing the inner workings of his mind. Throughout the story, you get the sense that he is holding something from Lori. But when that secret is revealed, I didn’t understand why it needed to be kept a secret. However, given Ander’s past and what he has already dealt with, I could forgive that.
Though the secret turned out not to be a big deal as I expected, Kent still achieves what I thinks he meant to with this novella. BREAKING is a story that displays Ander and Lori as they begin to heal and go off on their journey of life together.
*ARC provided by Netgalley
September 25, 2013
Don't waste your time reading this!!! I am so disappointed in this sequel!!! There was hardly any story to it. 85% of the book was just them getting it on. I skimmed most of it. If I wanted this type of story, I would just have rented a porno. And to think I went back and re-read Escort since it had been so long ago, I wanted a refresher!!!!
Then when the "secret" was revealed, it was lame. I wanted something more creative!!! And didn't take the entire book to be revealed!!!
Then when the "secret" was revealed, it was lame. I wanted something more creative!!! And didn't take the entire book to be revealed!!!
June 30, 2013
2.5 stars. It is tough for me to only give this short story 2.5 stars because I adore Ander and Lori's relationship. Unfortunately I was so frustrated with the lack of communication and all the endless sex. I would have really liked to have more explanation about Ander's father and more time spent on how Ander and Lori work through it.
July 2, 2013
This book made very little sense to me. I couldn't understand why Ander didn't tell Lori his "secret" and I didn't understand his father's motivation. Breaking seemed, sadly, just an excuse to write lots of sex scenes. And there are lots of sex scenes. I think Lori and Ander have sex four times a day and Lori has four orgasms (at least) a time. It was too porny for me.
April 17, 2014
No point for this to have been written. I mean, I wanted to know what came next for these two but nothing really is going on. Lots of sex, but that's about it. In a nutshell, he keeps some "shocking" news to himself the whole novella then he tells her. By the next page, it's like oh, back to our lives. Then, scene. Lame.
February 19, 2016
Overall rating: 4 stars
Plot: 7/10
Ending: 5/10
Writing: 7/10
Hero: 7/10
Heroine: 8/10
Humour: 7/10
Steaminess: 9/10
HEA:
Plot: 7/10
Ending: 5/10
Writing: 7/10
Hero: 7/10
Heroine: 8/10
Humour: 7/10
Steaminess: 9/10
HEA:
August 17, 2017
2 Stars
Everything I loved about the first book is absent from this sequel. Truly disappointing.
Everything I loved about the first book is absent from this sequel. Truly disappointing.
Read
December 8, 2017I didn't quite get the purpose of this short novel.
I hoped for retelling of the main story from his POV, but it wasn't.
But I guess it was ok.
I hoped for retelling of the main story from his POV, but it wasn't.
But I guess it was ok.
February 14, 2023
i'd rather the novella have been scenes from andre's pov of the first book but whatever, it was still cute
September 1, 2023
if you thought Ander was annoying in the first book, don't read this
July 12, 2024
Its a short novella that's works as a sequel to Escorted but its from his point of view. As a standalone book it's kinda dull for 75% of the book. Lots of repetition between chapters.
July 8, 2024
I enjoyed this novella, though it wasn’t really necessary.
October 3, 2023
This was a little difficult to read because of how much Ander was hurting. This made me truly believe that this couple will make it for the long haul because of how the conflict was handled.
April 12, 2017
Follow-up novella that left me speechless
Claire Kent is phenomenal. What a writer. 3 days in the life and relationship of Ander and his life Lori. I felt almost every emotion & at the end I felt... peace.
You must read "Escorted" because it's utterly beautiful but also so you truly understand & feel this gem.
Claire Kent is phenomenal. What a writer. 3 days in the life and relationship of Ander and his life Lori. I felt almost every emotion & at the end I felt... peace.
You must read "Escorted" because it's utterly beautiful but also so you truly understand & feel this gem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews