Real Men Don't Break Hearts (Real Men, #1)

Jan 07, 2013 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I wasn't expecting the characters to all be woven together the way that they were. You see, Ally was going to marry Seth, Nate's cousin, when she was younger. Only Seth left her at the alter and Nate was the one to deliver the message that her fiance jumped ship. Nate never hid the fact that he thought Seth shouldn't marry Ally and Ally has blamed Nate for his interference ever since. So when one day she is told that not only is her ex-fiance coming back to town to marry his new bride to be but...more I wasn't expecting the characters to all be woven together the way that they were. You see, Ally was going to marry Seth, Nate's cousin, when she was younger. Only Seth left her at the alter and Nate was the one to deliver the message that her fiance jumped ship. Nate never hid the fact that he thought Seth shouldn't marry Ally and Ally has blamed Nate for his interference ever since. So when one day she is told that not only is her ex-fiance coming back to town to marry his new bride to be but that Nate is also back and has apparently bought the building that her shop and apartment are in, needless to say, she was having a rough day. It's not every day that the man who stood you up on your wedding day comes back to his hometown to remarry and the man who caused it all becomes your landlord.

This was a cute light romance all set in Australia. Nate did a lot of rotten things when he was younger, so when he comes back to his hometown, he decides to right some wrongs. For instance, buying property from a man who's wife was having an affair with his older brother when he was younger, or returning the horse statues tail that he lobbed off and stole years past. He also manages to weasel his way into Ally's life and what starts off as a casual thing, like all good romance novels, becomes something more.

Even though I enjoyed the story I found Ally to be in need of some throttling. Maybe because things were predictable and you saw it coming from a mile away but she just seemed to second guess not only herself around Nate but Nate's intentions as well. Like when he cooks a fancy meal for her and gives her the key to his house and asks her to move in with her. Albeit, it's only like 2 weeks in but still she runs out on him and ends the relationship because he didn't say "I love you" when handing her the key. However, he does say, "I want you in my life 24/7." Therefor, the man that she loves is using her and is still the womanizer he used to be. I didn't understand that logic.

I thought the story was good and even though it wasn't overly long, I still found myself gravitating towards the characters which tends to be one of my biggest problems with shorter stories. The author has a great way of explaining things and giving you an inside look into the characters without droning on and on about it. Even though this was my first time reading one of Coleen Kwan's books, it won't be the last.

Favorite quote...
"When it comes to bad ideas, I'm the king." -Nate

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Apr 03, 2013 Susanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bad boy Nate Hardy really appealed to me. He seemed real and hot and I loved that he worked so hard to redeem past wrongs. He's a hot, ethical, honest man and not the stereotypical billionaire businessman. It might seem a difficult thing to do and an odd thing for an alpha hero, but turning his back on a successful business career in Sydney for the rural town and manual work opened up lots of possibilities.

Ally is all buttoned-up, repressed and marking time--for six years--yet, as her story unf...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Inspired Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

This is a hard book for me to rate and review because it didn't meet my expectations. Going into it I thought this was a clean romance and I was half way in before I realized there was more content than I am comfortable with. It was pitched to me as sweet and sassy which it was but I'm a "closed" door kind of reader and in this book the door was cracked open. It wasn't wide open, it wasn't explicit or erotic, just more than I like to read.

I went and read Bliss's Submission guidelines:

Bliss is se

...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Julie (Manga Maniac Cafe) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fast, cute read about second chances and learning to forgive and trust again. Full review soon.

Updated Review -
Real Men Don’t Break Hearts is a fun, quick read. It’s about second chances and changing your outlook on life. Both Ally and Nate learn to forgive and put the past where it belongs – in the past. They finally take the lessons learned from a few challenging moments in their lives and start to look to the future. Ally is especially chained to her past, having suffered a heartbreaking and...more Fast, cute read about second chances and learning to forgive and trust again. Full review soon.

Updated Review -
Real Men Don’t Break Hearts is a fun, quick read. It’s about second chances and changing your outlook on life. Both Ally and Nate learn to forgive and put the past where it belongs – in the past. They finally take the lessons learned from a few challenging moments in their lives and start to look to the future. Ally is especially chained to her past, having suffered a heartbreaking and humiliating breakup six years earlier. Having been burned painfully by her fiancé, she turns her focus on saving her grandmother’s souvenir shop and decides that she’s not ready to trust again. After being jilted at the alter, and worse, having hated Nate Hardy, her intended’s cousin, deliver the news, she’s not willing to put her heart at risk like that again.

Nate, a delinquent in his younger days, made it big in Sydney, but now he’s looking for something else. All of his money and fancy toys don’t mean anything to him, and he’s searching for a new direction, and a new purpose, for his life. He decides it’s time to face his past, as well as make up for some of the poor choices he made when he was younger. Moving back to Burronga, the small town where he grew up, he reopens his deceased brother’s landscaping business. Along the way, he is forced to realize that neither he, nor his older brother, were blameless for their poor reputations and the reluctance of some of those in town to welcome him back home. Especially Ally Griffin. He’s always thought of her as prissy, but as he gets to know her, he begins to think that he’s judged her unfairly.

I enjoyed how both Ally and Nate are made to reassess their opinions of each other as the story progressed. Ally is having a hard time making ends meet at the shop, and she’s past due with her rent. When she discovers that Nate is her new landlord, she’s terrified that he’ll kick her out, causing her to lose both her business and her home, the apartment above the shop. She also hasn’t forgiven him for destroying her relationship with her ex. She has blamed him for years for being abandoned at the altar, and having to come to terms with her anger and resentment is hard for her. She has blamed Nate for so much for so long that it’s hard to just let it go. As she gets to know him better, though, she begins to realize that she misjudged him and that he’s not the cause of her relationship dissolving.

Nate’s attempts to make amends for his past mistakes makes an engaging backstory. He’s matured and realizes what a turd he was when he was a teen. He defaced public property, harassed the next door neighbor, and committed petty crimes. He was on a ruinous path, and now he realizes how lucky he was to be able to put that behind him. I liked the interactions between Nate and the neighbor and her crabby dog the best, and felt moved by Nate’s attempts to fix the relationship that he and his brother broke.

Real Men Don’t Break Hearts pushed all the right buttons for me. Enemies to lovers, redemption, and discovering your path in life, one that makes you happy and enriches the person you are, are all themes I love to read about, and Coleen Kwan explores them with compassion and compelling prose. This is the first book I’ve read by her, but it won’t be the last.

Grade: B(less)

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Feb 15, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2103-na-challenge

originally posted on PBD and random with a $10 gift card giveaway from Entangled!! Check it out and enter through 1/21/13!

My rating: 3.5 Stars

My Review:
This was a really cute and sweet story. I really liked Nate and Ally's interaction with each other. I have to admit Ally was a little whiny & some what closed off in the beginning but as the story progressed she began to make sense. I really began to like the characters and the story about halfway through... Ally began to develop a little b...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, romance

Posted on Romancing the Books blog
Reviewed by JoAnn
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

A quick and enjoyable read that I was able to finish in less than a day. It kept my interest from beginning to end. There were some tears and tense moments along with some laugh out loud ones, love and romance. It had a satisfactory happily ever after but I really wanted a few more chapters to really give me closure. Since it’s part of a series I hope we meet up with Ally and Nate again.

The book was set in Au...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Kitty Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

As posted on The Smutty Kitty

3 out of 5 Licks

This book is from Entangled Publishing's Bliss line. I've read one or two from this line and enjoyed them and thought I'd check this one out as well. First things first-we do not read about sex in this book. The start getting hot and heavy and then suddenly it is the next day. I may prefer to read all the dirty details of what happens between the sheets (or on the floor or up against the wall) for my characters BUT I am perfectly capable of reading a...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Marlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally published at Reading Reality

Real Men Don't Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan is simply a light and fun contemporary romance from Down Under.

It's never a good day when you discover that your ex-fiance is coming home to get married. Especially when he's coming home to marry someone rich and famous.

Not that Ally wants him back. Not marrying Seth was probably the best thing that happened to her. It's just that, well, the rent on her gift shop is two months behind. And when Seth left her at the...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Kim (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-read

Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews

This is the first book by Coleen I’ve read. I have to admit, in the beginning I wasn’t really into the book at all. But it got so much better.

Ally Griffin is a single twenty-five-year old woman living in her hometown of Burronga, Australia. Ally owns and runs a gift shop in downtown Burronga that once belonged to her grandmother. She also lives above the gift shop. Ally pretty much lives the life of an old-maid. She...more Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews

This is the first book by Coleen I’ve read. I have to admit, in the beginning I wasn’t really into the book at all. But it got so much better.

Ally Griffin is a single twenty-five-year old woman living in her hometown of Burronga, Australia. Ally owns and runs a gift shop in downtown Burronga that once belonged to her grandmother. She also lives above the gift shop. Ally pretty much lives the life of an old-maid. She hasn’t really had a serious/long-term relationship since she was nineteen and she doesn’t date very often.

Nate Hardy is a twenty-nine-year-old bachelor who grew up in Burronga but left and made it big in the financial world of Sydney. He’s tired of the life he’s been living and is looking for a change. He’s decided to give up his lifestyle in Sydney and move back to Burronga and re-open the landscaping business his brother Robbie once owned. As a child/teen growing up in Burronga, Nate was far from being a model citizen. Burronga is small and Nate has a long road ahead of him to live down the memories people have of him.

Ally and Nate are NOT fond of each other. The dislike stems from over six years ago when Ally dated Nate’s cousin Seth Bailey. Nate thought Ally was a Goody-Two shoes who looked down on him. Ally blames Nate for Seth Bailey (Nate’s cousin) standing her up on their wedding day when she was nineteen-years-old.

In what seems to be a spur of the moment decision, Nate purchases the building which houses Ally’s gift shop and apartment. When Nate made the purchase, he had no idea it was the building where Ally’s shop was located. Nate was simply trying to make a mends for the past.

Ally finds out about Nate’s purchase of her building the same day she finds out her ex-fiance is going to get married in their hometown. Ally thinks Nate is just coming around and buying her building to stick it to her once more. Everyone around Ally thinks that because she hasn’t had a serious relationship or even gone out with that many men since getting stood up by Seth that she’s still pining over him.

Real Men Don’t Break Hearts is a wonderful romance. It’s a story of a woman who must learn to stand on her own two feet and stop allowing herself to be a victim of her own life. It’s the story of a man who is trying to make up for his less than stellar past and allow people to see who he really is.

I look forward to reading more books by Coleen Kwan and the future books in this series.

Source: Publisher(less)

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Jan 10, 2013 Ailsa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Real Men Don't Break Hearts is a light read with interesting, believable characters and a happy ending, 'Real Men Don't Break Hearts' was a nice book to read over the break.
We're first introduced to Ally as she's working in her struggling gift shop. She took it over when her gran, the founder, had health problems, and now Ally wants to prove to everyone that she can be successful at running it, even though at the moment she's behind on her rent. We also meet Nate just as he's returning to Burro...more Real Men Don't Break Hearts is a light read with interesting, believable characters and a happy ending, 'Real Men Don't Break Hearts' was a nice book to read over the break.
We're first introduced to Ally as she's working in her struggling gift shop. She took it over when her gran, the founder, had health problems, and now Ally wants to prove to everyone that she can be successful at running it, even though at the moment she's behind on her rent. We also meet Nate just as he's returning to Burronga and has bought the building from Ally's landlord. Ally is still mad at him for the way he acted when they were younger, and thinks it was his fault Seth (the ex-fiance) ditched her.
I actually really liked Nate. He's been in Sydney, been very successful, and has changed a lot since he left his hometown, but he regrets a lot about how he acted when he was younger. He wants to fix some of that, and as the book goes on you get to see him finding ways to make amends and show to the townspeople that he really has changed.
I liked Ally too, but not as much as Nate. I was as frustrated as she was that people kept assuming she was still in love with Seth - I think if I was her, I would have thrown something at someone. It's been years since that break up but lots of people kept trying to be sympathetic for how awful she 'must' have been feeling over Seth getting married there... and of course Ally doesn't care about that. I also got a bit frustrated towards the end of the book where she kept judging Nate based on how he used to act, despite spending plenty of time with him and seeing the person he's become. He would say something or do something, and she would take it wrong because of how the 'old' Nate was.

Overall, I enjoyed Real Men Don't Break Hearts. The small town setting was nice, and something I could definitely relate to, and the characters and their growth over the story was believable. Overall, I give this book 7 stars.
[Originally posted by me at The Book Bundle.](less)

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Dec 20, 2012 Melody May rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, romance

Also found on http://sillymelody.blogspot.com

All right for the past couple of days I have been reading Real Men Don't Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan. I have to say I really enjoyed this story and I love when I get a chance to read author's that are new to me. It just gives me that warm fuzzy feeling when I enjoy there work and can't wait to see what else they might have out there.

Anyways. Ally Griffin grew up in Burronga, Australia, and always had the typical girl dreams: find love, get marry, and...more Also found on http://sillymelody.blogspot.com

All right for the past couple of days I have been reading Real Men Don't Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan. I have to say I really enjoyed this story and I love when I get a chance to read author's that are new to me. It just gives me that warm fuzzy feeling when I enjoy there work and can't wait to see what else they might have out there.

Anyways. Ally Griffin grew up in Burronga, Australia, and always had the typical girl dreams: find love, get marry, and have a family. Yet, life hasn't turnout the way she envisioned, but she has made the best out of it with the cards she was dealt with. However, life always seems to throw a curveball here and there from time to time.

Nate Hardy grew up as the local bad boy, always getting himself in trouble. Somehow he manage to get his life in order and grow up some. Nate decides to come back to Burronga to correct some wrongs from his past and start anew.

Funny how the past and present collide into one another. Ally receives a couple of disturbing news. Of course, it happens all in one day. First, she comes to find out the ex that jilted her six years ago is getting married in their hometown. Great. Second, she gets a new landlord and it's not just anyone. Of course it had to be the cousin of her ex. Seems to get better and better. Sounds to me a disaster waiting to happen.

I adore the rocky start, seriously. I actually enjoyed all the bad news hitting her all at the same time and wondering how this is all going to workout. I appreciate how Ally is viewed as miss goody two-shoes and Nate is a bad boy trying to reform. Plus, I like her busybody family thinking they know what is best for her. Funny how that works when your the youngest of the bunch. Overall, it was a sweet enjoyable read. So, if you are looking for that sweet read that leaves with that warm fuzzy feeling, you might want to checkout Real Men Don't Break Hearts.

So, I hope you all a wonderful holiday and I hope to see you guys tomorrow.

Copy provide by publisher(less)

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Feb 15, 2013 Melissa Maxwell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh how I loved this book. Allie and Nate were the perfect counterpoint to the other. When she was dating his cousin, Seth, they never got along so when Seth ran out on their wedding she blamed Nate more than Seth. Nate moves back to town to reconnect with apiece of himself that had been missing for the years he had been away. He buys a building that just happens to hold Allies shop. He comes back on the day that she learns her ex is getting married. It stirs up feelings' though not for Seth but...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Cocktails and Books rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2013-reading-challenge

Ally Griffin was the girl that was jilted at the alter and left to live with an entire town who feel sorry for her and think she is still broken hearted over her ex-fiance, Seth. Everything changes when ex-resident bad boy, Nate Hardy, comes back to town hoping to get a fresh start after leaving his high power finance job. What Ally and Nate learn, after their first meeting, is there is a fine line between love and hate and that they might be the side they least expected with each other.

This was...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Kathie (katmom) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was tickled to win this in Jess the Romanceaholic's giveaway. Thank you Ms. Kwan and Jess!

This was a sweet romance with nearly fade to black love scenes. The UST was still very high and very enjoyable.

Nate has come home to right a few wrongs. He was a very bad young man, getting in trouble all the time and not ready to settle down with one woman.

He encouraged his cousin Seth to spread his wings, just as Seth was set to marry Ally. Seth left Ally without a word on their wedding day.

We come to...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bad-boys, betrayal, boss-employee-romance, fiesty-heroine, humorous, opposites-attract, no-strings-attached, series, starting-over-divorced-seperated

With her little gift shop struggling Ally Griffin needs time to figure out how to turn it around quickly. It would be easy to just solely focus on her shop, but when she finds out the man who dumped her at the alter is going to be married and returning to the small town of Burronga, Australia everyone around her seems ready to capture her as she falls to tears. The problem is she doesn’t carry, she harbors no feelings towards her ex-fiancée and would frankly just like to move on. Even though she...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-contemporary-romance

My impression of Real Men Don't Break Hearts is: really sweet love story. To be honest, based on that gorgeously charming cover, it being an Entangled Bliss book, and the synopsis, I got exactly what I was expecting.

Ally and Nate were one-time frenemies who happily parted ways six years prior, when Nate delivered the heartbreaking news that to Ally that her fiance (his cousin) was standing her up. On their wedding day. Now, Nate has come back home, determined to lead a quiet, happy life, and to...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Michelle (MsRomanticReads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-request, worth-re-reading, 2013, contemporary, humor, romance

This review can also be found on my blog.

Real Men Don't Break Hearts was a delightful read. Funny and at times emotional as well. Ally Griffin once had her future all planned out. She was going to marry her high-school sweetheart, have kids, and the house with the white picket fence. On the day of her wedding, Seth stands her up at the altar leaving her broken-hearted and humiliated. She blames Nate Hardy, Seth's cousin, for having talked him out of marrying Ally. That was six years ago. Now Set...more This review can also be found on my blog.

Real Men Don't Break Hearts was a delightful read. Funny and at times emotional as well. Ally Griffin once had her future all planned out. She was going to marry her high-school sweetheart, have kids, and the house with the white picket fence. On the day of her wedding, Seth stands her up at the altar leaving her broken-hearted and humiliated. She blames Nate Hardy, Seth's cousin, for having talked him out of marrying Ally. That was six years ago. Now Seth is returning to Burronga, Australia and he's getting married. If that news isn't enough to send Ally into a bit of a tailspin, the reappearance of Nate Hardy certainly is. Especially since he just became her new landlord. Her dislike for him hasn't waned, but could it be that she has the wrong impression about the town's most notorious bad boy? And could Nate have been wrong about Ally as well? Maybe he wasn't so far off the mark when he told her that Ally and Seth never belonged together.

Ally Griffin was a sweet heroine. I liked her personality for the most part. She was devoted to her family, even if she appeared to be the door mat for her grandmother and older sister a few times throughout. She was so concerned about not letting her Nana down, that she had trouble standing up for herself until it became almost impossible not to. Then there's her sister who is happily married, runs a business with her husband, and they're about to have another baby. The family's concern and interference in Ally's love life was at times funny and annoying. What I did like about Ally was that despite the hurt she'd been through, she did make an effort to separate the Nate from her past with the Nate of the present.

Nate Hardy used to be a troublemaker with a bad reputation and a police record. His only real family was his older brother, Robbie. Robbie wasn't a role model by any means, but he was safe. Now Nate is a successful investment manager, and he's returning to Burronga for good. He wants to re-establish his now deceased brother's landscaping business, but he quickly learns that small town people have long memories, and his brother had burned his fair share of bridges in the community. Then there's Ally. She's not the stuck up girl he perceived her to be, and of course she's changed physically. Enough for Nate to sit up and take notice.

I loved the chemistry between Nate and Ally. It was a constant mixture of lust and hate. Of course the inevitable happens and they decide that scratching an itch without emotions will satisfy them in the mean time, not. The love scenes were fade to black, which didn't bother me at all. The focus is not on the sex, but what happens when they continue of the river called Denial. Though the fallout broke my heart a little, I think it made Ally really evaluate her life for the first time. She became a stronger person for it. As for Nate, he learned what it felt like to be loved for the first time, despite his past. If you like a sweet romance about self discovery, acceptance, and second chances, then this is the book for you.

Disclaimer: My thanks to Entangled Publishing for the review copy. A positive review in exchange was not promised.
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Jan 17, 2013 Vivian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-arcs, 3-stars, reviewed

I have to say, I really wanted to like this one, and I did like it, to a degree, but I didn’t love it like I usually do with Bliss titles. The synopsis is interesting enough and there were definitely some fun moments, but it was a bit lackluster for me. Ally didn’t really appeal to me, the secondary characters were fun, to an extent. I’d say Nate was pretty much the one aspect who had me holding on until the end.

After reading the synopsis, I expected to see a bit more of Ally’s ex-fiance, Seth,...more I have to say, I really wanted to like this one, and I did like it, to a degree, but I didn’t love it like I usually do with Bliss titles. The synopsis is interesting enough and there were definitely some fun moments, but it was a bit lackluster for me. Ally didn’t really appeal to me, the secondary characters were fun, to an extent. I’d say Nate was pretty much the one aspect who had me holding on until the end.

After reading the synopsis, I expected to see a bit more of Ally’s ex-fiance, Seth, and although she finally gets her closure and moves on, it wasn’t all that epic as I would’ve liked it to be. Seth’s story arc added very little to the entire plot and I felt its only purpose was to have another aspect to pull Nate and Ally together. Her character wasn’t one of my favorites either, although she’s a great person who cares for others deeply, she was always so unsure of things and a bit too dependent and weak for my taste. I wasn’t happy with the fact that, even at the end, she still hadn’t really gotten anywhere with her life and the path I would’ve liked her to take, would’ve expected her to take, she didn’t follow.

Nate was definitely the highlight of the story. Throughout the book he is constantly trying to change for the better, discovering what’s important in life, making amends, and figuring out what he wants. He’s confident, sexy, successful, and caring. Even when he was being a bit of a jerk at the beginning, he still appealed to me and I could see that none of it was intentional. He definitely had a difficult life growing up and even though he was a rebel and an ass, he does a complete 360 and turns into such a great guy.

The storyline, aside from Seth’s wedding, is about Nate becoming Ally’s landlord and her figuring out what she wants to do with her life and her grandmother’s gift shop. She has a lot of ideas and hopes, but is so uncertain and insecure about it all that it was a big turn off for me. The only thing she was sure about was how she wanted her relationship with Nate to go. She knows he’s the kind of guy you have a good time with, not the one you settle down with, and she lays all her cards on the table up front, which I totally respect. Things change and get deeper along the way and they both come to terms with some secrets from their past, and, if anything, I liked how their relationship progressed.

The secondary characters didn’t do it for me at all. Ally’s family seemed like they didn’t know her at all. It got pretty annoying how strongly her family was sure that Ally wasn’t over Seth. I felt like they treated her like a child and didn’t support her much. Especially her grandmother, who I know is older and “set in her ways”, but she was a little unreasonable at times and I didn’t really care for the family dynamic.

I know I’m pointing out a lot of flaws, but I just wanted to say that if you’re looking for a well-rounded contemporary, then this isn’t it. The romance is great – intense, touching, and sweet at times, but otherwise, there’s not much substance to it.(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Since the moment I heard the title for Real Men Don't Break Hearts I wanted to read it. I mean, how could a book with a title as fun as that go wrong? And I am happy to announce that Real Men Don't Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan was a complete winner. I loved everything about it and cannot wait to read more from this fabulous author.

This one was one of those books that was just too darn cute. While some things seemed to be a little too convenient at times, I still was just completely caught up in...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Christi Snow rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Review:
Ally and Nate....I loved them. I loved them as they hated each other. I loved them as they became friends. I loved them as they became more. I loved them as they both hurt. This was such a fun, entertaining love story.

Six years ago, Ally was left at the altar. Fortunately she was saved from making a mistake and marrying Seth, but that doesn't mean she's forgiven the best man who ruined her wedding.....Nate. Nate never thought it was a good idea for Seth to get married and shared his pl...more My Review:
Ally and Nate....I loved them. I loved them as they hated each other. I loved them as they became friends. I loved them as they became more. I loved them as they both hurt. This was such a fun, entertaining love story.

Six years ago, Ally was left at the altar. Fortunately she was saved from making a mistake and marrying Seth, but that doesn't mean she's forgiven the best man who ruined her wedding.....Nate. Nate never thought it was a good idea for Seth to get married and shared his playboy viewpoints far and wide. So when Seth didn't show up and sent Nate to break it to Ally, she took it a little personally. She hates the guy, but she hasn't seen him since that time, until now, since he's moved back to town.

To add insult to injury, not only is Nate back in town and is her new landlord, but her ex-fiance, Seth, has decided to try the altar thing again and he's back too....to get married. Ally can't catch a break and her friends who believe she's still heartbroken are still circling.

There's a lot of layers to this story. A lot of history for these characters...some that's known and a lot that's not known to anyone but the participants. That means there's a lot of emotion involved too. But it's been six years and most of the characters have grown and matured....MOST of them. And it takes a while for all the players to realize that. It was a really fun book to watch the character relationships remold and reform to today's reality, instead of just living in what they know about the past.

In fact it was just a fun book period. I like Ally. She's been somewhat trapped into this life that she didn't plan, but she has drive and I like how she determines to make the best of it and the little shop that she inherited from her grandmother. I loved Nate and how he's trying to make things up to this little town and it's residents for the harms that he (when he was a teenager) and his brother (mainly his brother) perpetuated. This is a man who's grown so much and as he's matured has learned from his many mistakes.

The entire book takes place in Australia and give me an Australian hottie anyday...love that accent, even when I'm just imagining it in my head as I read. ;o) This was the first book I've read from Coleen Kwan and I guarantee that it won't be my last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.(less)

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Feb 06, 2013 Shelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Having taken over her grandmother’s gift shop, Ally Griffin learns that her ex-fiancé, Seth, is coming back into town to marry another woman. As if that’s not enough of a shocker, Seth’s cousin, Nate Hardy, has decided that he’s had enough of the city life and is moving back home. Nate knows that he’s got a lot to make up for his bad-boy childhood and he hopes that giving back to the community he’ll somehow have some peace and tranquility in his life.

I thought this story had great promise becau...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Amy Fournier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, own

I love a good sweet romance, and Entangled Publishing's Bliss line continuously delivers. I can't get enough of these books and Real Men Don't Break Hearts was such a fabulous and quick read. Told in alternating POV's between Ally and Nate, we really get inside both of their heads and see things from both sides. I am a sucker for books written in that format and tend to really enjoy them. I adored the growth of the characters in this book and how they handled things that were happening around th...more I love a good sweet romance, and Entangled Publishing's Bliss line continuously delivers. I can't get enough of these books and Real Men Don't Break Hearts was such a fabulous and quick read. Told in alternating POV's between Ally and Nate, we really get inside both of their heads and see things from both sides. I am a sucker for books written in that format and tend to really enjoy them. I adored the growth of the characters in this book and how they handled things that were happening around them. With the exception of some miscommunications, and a minor situation or two, this was relatively low drama for this type of book.

Ally was a character who has always kind of just gone along with what other people want or expect from her. She's not a pushover, but she just figures it's easier that way. When the news that her ex who left her at their wedding is getting married right in town in just weeks, things get a bit complicated. He's not the reason though, her soon to be new landlord is. He is Nate's best friend and they don't exactly get along. She decides to have a little fun and loosen up since everyone seems to think she needs to. She decides that Nate is perfect to hook up with because it's just sex and nothing else. That is until she begins to actually fall for him. I liked how she was really strong about things though, and she never made herself dependent on anyone. She knew what she wanted, it was just hard for her to actually have the guts to say or do them. When she finally steps out of her shell I liked that side of her.

Nate is the typical bad boy. He's rich beyond belief, super hot, and of course a total jerk who doesn't do the whole girlfriend thing. He was also fun and charming too. I knew there was much more to him and I was interested to know what secrets he was hiding and why he was so willing to leave behind the glamorous city life to restart his brothers landscaping business in a small town. As I got to know him more, I could see why Ally would be falling for him. He really has changed from the delinquent teen he was, and he is truly a good man who wants to set things right. The last thing he ever expected was to start falling for Ally.

The relationship between Ally and Nate was really great. There is a lot of tension there. She has hated him for years, blames him for her failed engagement, and really doesn't want him to be the one who owns her shop and apartment.He knows he was a jerk, but things weren't his fault as much as she believes it to be that way. He actually has a kind heart unlike her super douche ex. When they decide to see each other casually for just sex, they both start feeling things for each other, but they know that it is nothing, that they are "using" each other. Except they both are falling hard, and I loved seeing that from both perspectives.

There is a bigger storyline to it all too. There is her failing gift shop, then a decision on what direction she wants the business to go. There are family and friends that are a big part of the story, and of course the reason why Nate has really come back. I loved following their stories and seeing where it went and I loved how it all ended up. This was such a fun, romantic read. Perfect for those times you want an escape that will tug on your emotions and also leave you smiling.

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Mar 24, 2013 Tiffany added it

Shelves: arc

My Rating: 3.5/5 (I wish there was a way to properly do that on here.)

The Review:

"Burronga was a small place, and people had long memories."

In a nutshell, Seth left Ally at the altar. Nate goes to the ceremony to be the man Seth isn't and tell Ally Seth isn't coming to the wedding to her face.

Fast forward roughly six years and you have ex-Seth coming back to their hometown to marry Paige, Nate is buying the building Ally's shop and the apartment above is housed in and you get a recipe for a cont...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Jenny Schwartz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, authors-i-know, romance

"Real Men Don't Break Hearts" is a wonderful title ... but you know what? Nate nearly broke mine; he was trying so hard to be a good guy and to build a good life. A reformed bad boy is so attractive. Add in a heroine who is discovering her strength (Ally is lovely) and the romance was irresistible.

Beautifully written with a strong sense of place and community, of family. I really enjoyed the horse's tail -- read the book, you'll understand :)

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Apr 03, 2013 Edmiary Ayala (Crazed Bookie) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, review-arc-copies

This book was freaking awesome!! It had just the right amount of stubbornness, the right amount of build up and a whole bunch of sexy male. Yum. Ally is awesome. I actually felt kind of bad for her though because everyone insist in feeling bad fir her because they all think she's still extremely hung up on her ex. She is so not. And try as might nobody will leave her alone about it!
Nate Hardy? Can I absolutely scrumptious? Yup, i just did. It's a great story and i definitely would recommend it.

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Feb 21, 2013 JoAnne rated it 4 of 5 stars

To read my review on Romancing-the-Book.com click on the link below?

http://romancing-the-book.com/2013/02...

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May 02, 2013 Machie Eaton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Awwh.

If there's a fine line between 'cute' and 'sweet' then that's what this book is. :p

And once again, the heroine is over thinking everything. Hahahahha

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Mar 13, 2013 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was great story about how time changes people for the better and find love. Great story; quick read.

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Dec 26, 2012 JenRider rated it 3 of 5 stars

An unexpected story with a lot of misunderstandings but a sweet couple that comes out the winner at the end..

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Jan 14, 2013 Chris Mead rated it 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable romantic journey! Review coming soon to romancejunkie.com

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16282744-real-men-don-t-break-hearts?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364940194l/16282744.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16282744-real-men-don-t-break-hearts?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Real Men Don't Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan[/url]

Real Men Don't Break Hearts (Real Men #1)

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Real Men Don't Break Hearts (Real Men #1)

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