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Breaking Josephine
At 22, Josephine Sinclair thought she’d finally closed the door on her past and was moving on with her life. With a stable job as a waitress, a small apartment in town, and scenic Cannon Beach a two-mile jog to the west, she was getting by.
In a mansion on the beach, Dex Hartley felt just the opposite. After years of living the fast life in New York and L.A., he’d come home to bury himself in the ghosts of his past and his grief.
When an old obsession comes back to life, Josephine finds herself face-to-face with Dex, turning her ordinary world upside down and igniting a burning desire in them both they can’t deny. As Jo opens herself up to Dex, his passion, and his body, she unearths a lifetime of lies and deception that threaten to destroy the normal life she’s managed to start. As her hard-earned life collapses around her, will the truth break her or set her free?
New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance - recommended for ages 18 and up.
In a mansion on the beach, Dex Hartley felt just the opposite. After years of living the fast life in New York and L.A., he’d come home to bury himself in the ghosts of his past and his grief.
When an old obsession comes back to life, Josephine finds herself face-to-face with Dex, turning her ordinary world upside down and igniting a burning desire in them both they can’t deny. As Jo opens herself up to Dex, his passion, and his body, she unearths a lifetime of lies and deception that threaten to destroy the normal life she’s managed to start. As her hard-earned life collapses around her, will the truth break her or set her free?
New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance - recommended for ages 18 and up.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2013
11 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 19, 2013
4 Who's your Daddy Stars
Yeah...Who's Your Daddy! Not in the whoo-hoo-ride-em'-cowboy-who's-your-daddy way. But in the actual swab-your-cheek-DNA-testing-who's-your-daddy way. Josephine or Jo as she is now called spent several years in an orphanage because she did not know who her daddy was. Or any family for that matter. Her mother was killed in a car accident and she is left all alone.
The story starts in a rather Mission Impossible way with Jo scaling the side of a rock cliff. Oh...so she's like some athletic rock climber girl. Cool. I can go with that. N.O.
I'd learned from my teenage career as a petty thief..
Whaaaa?? Teenage career as a petty thief? That is your first indication that this is not a sweet girl book. Jo has had to fend for herself and that occasionally involved B & E. Now she is a 22 year old reformed bad girl orphan and is trying to make a life for herself. And just barely doing that. She has a job and an apartment, but no cell phone or car. Fortunately she lives in a small Oregan beach community where she can walk when it is not pouring down rain. The rain does lead to some interesting encounters. But she is okay with all this. She is moving forward and happy to be doing it.
Dex is a sexy, reclusive gazillionaire. Jo meets Dex in a rather unorthordox manner but they hit it off. Then she takes off. Again. And Again. When they finally have a conversation, he is a little miffed.
Who are you? he snarled...
I am the woman who dropped her groceries all over the sidewalk, the woman you kissed in the forrest...and the woman who broke into your mansion and broke her promise. That's who I am
Except Jo doesn't really know who she is and that is the real problem.
I grew up a stranger to my own identity.
Who is Jo? How is she connected to the sleepy tourist town? Why do people look at her in a familiar yet puzzling way? Dex wants to help her, but they keep hitting roadblocks. Jo is on a mission of discovering who she really is, what she wants and who she trusts. She finds that her world must crumble before it can be rebuilt.
Dex and Jo have some Cowboy Who's Your Daddy moments for sure. This book will have you wanting your own sexy gazillionaire. Ms Stewart show great promise with her first book. I look forward to reading her next and her next.
Yeah...Who's Your Daddy! Not in the whoo-hoo-ride-em'-cowboy-who's-your-daddy way. But in the actual swab-your-cheek-DNA-testing-who's-your-daddy way. Josephine or Jo as she is now called spent several years in an orphanage because she did not know who her daddy was. Or any family for that matter. Her mother was killed in a car accident and she is left all alone.
The story starts in a rather Mission Impossible way with Jo scaling the side of a rock cliff. Oh...so she's like some athletic rock climber girl. Cool. I can go with that. N.O.
I'd learned from my teenage career as a petty thief..
Whaaaa?? Teenage career as a petty thief? That is your first indication that this is not a sweet girl book. Jo has had to fend for herself and that occasionally involved B & E. Now she is a 22 year old reformed bad girl orphan and is trying to make a life for herself. And just barely doing that. She has a job and an apartment, but no cell phone or car. Fortunately she lives in a small Oregan beach community where she can walk when it is not pouring down rain. The rain does lead to some interesting encounters. But she is okay with all this. She is moving forward and happy to be doing it.
Dex is a sexy, reclusive gazillionaire. Jo meets Dex in a rather unorthordox manner but they hit it off. Then she takes off. Again. And Again. When they finally have a conversation, he is a little miffed.
Who are you? he snarled...
I am the woman who dropped her groceries all over the sidewalk, the woman you kissed in the forrest...and the woman who broke into your mansion and broke her promise. That's who I am
Except Jo doesn't really know who she is and that is the real problem.
I grew up a stranger to my own identity.
Who is Jo? How is she connected to the sleepy tourist town? Why do people look at her in a familiar yet puzzling way? Dex wants to help her, but they keep hitting roadblocks. Jo is on a mission of discovering who she really is, what she wants and who she trusts. She finds that her world must crumble before it can be rebuilt.
Dex and Jo have some Cowboy Who's Your Daddy moments for sure. This book will have you wanting your own sexy gazillionaire. Ms Stewart show great promise with her first book. I look forward to reading her next and her next.
July 31, 2013
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
They met in the most unfavorable circumstances. It was heart thumping, not knowing what would Dex do next, but it was so hot at the same time. Even then, the tension, the chemistry was overflowing between the two of them.
Jo was living a new life. She was done with everything she did in the past and was starting from scratch. She got a nice job as a waitress, and had a roof over her head. Finally, she had control over her life. Until one night when an old obsession crawled back to her, she met Dex Hartley.
To say that Dex is rich would be an understatement. But he lives a simple life, the only evidence of wealth he has is his expensive car. He dressed, spends his time and acts like a normal person. I like how grounded he is and doesn't seem to mind that he has a lot of money.
I like Jo because she was not overly dramatic. She's tough and grew up taking care of herself. Losing her mom at a young age was hard for her, especially because it was sudden. She learned to do things that aren't great - but it was the only means she could have control over her life.
She can't help but be drawn to Dex, he was simple, totally hot and amazingly sweet. He kisses like you are the only girl in the world for him. Everything seems perfect, until secrets about Jo's past emerges. She started to dig and what she found out troubled her. Turns out she had been living a lie and it turns out that it is not only her mother who has been lying to her.
Jo's search for her identity and the truth of her past may make or break her. People she trusted had been lying to her, all she wants to find out is the truth about her mother, and her father as well. But what if it triggers danger? Will the truth be worth it? Breaking Josephine is a novel about deceit, trust, family and love. The steamy scenes were sizzling but what I definitely liked about Breaking Josephine is the twist and turns of events that will keep you glued to the pages. Like Josephine, you will not stop until you uncover all the secrets there is.
One thing I learn in this novel - never do anything when you're angry.
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2013
I saw a lot of negative reviews, this always tells me I might want to read it and I think maybe people didn't give the story a chance. I will admit it did have a slow start but once I got a little further into it, the story picks up.
When I first started this book I was a bit miffed by the cover, however to avoid a spoiler alert I'm not going to elaborate on that, once you get more into the story you will understand why. So this goes to show you never judge a book by its cover, it might surprise you.
Jo Sinclair grew up alone after the death of her mother at an early age. She always believed an she was alone in the world, having no family and only a handful of friends, but then she meets Dex, a local rich guy who's home she breaks into with the intent to rob him; however she gets caught by him and nothing from that point on is ever simple in her life again. Dex has a few secrets of his own and then there is Colin the brother of her friend Macy's boyfriend, who seems to hate Jo the minute he meets her.
As the truth begins to surface Jo finds herself wondering if the life she thought she had was ever really hers. This was a nice paced intriguing read. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has next. Really a good book for a first one.
When I first started this book I was a bit miffed by the cover, however to avoid a spoiler alert I'm not going to elaborate on that, once you get more into the story you will understand why. So this goes to show you never judge a book by its cover, it might surprise you.
Jo Sinclair grew up alone after the death of her mother at an early age. She always believed an she was alone in the world, having no family and only a handful of friends, but then she meets Dex, a local rich guy who's home she breaks into with the intent to rob him; however she gets caught by him and nothing from that point on is ever simple in her life again. Dex has a few secrets of his own and then there is Colin the brother of her friend Macy's boyfriend, who seems to hate Jo the minute he meets her.
As the truth begins to surface Jo finds herself wondering if the life she thought she had was ever really hers. This was a nice paced intriguing read. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has next. Really a good book for a first one.
January 25, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can find the original review on Genuine Jenn
Be prepared for a very dark type book but with a great ending. Both the main characters Jo (Josephine) and Dex (Declan) both come with dark pasts and are really have broken spirits. Jo grew up in a orphanage after her mother passed away in a car accident when she was 12. She didn't know of her father or any other family. Dex suffered through the passing of his mother a then his father a couple years later. Jo breaking into houses to feel in control of her life as she didn't have control. Dex took to drinking and sleeping with any women that came around.
In a chance meeting Dex and Jo fall for each other, two broken souls. They both are from totally separate worlds - Jo a waitress trying to make enough money to keep a roof over her head and food in her belly, while Dex comes from a very wealthy family and doesn't worry about anything when it comes to money but both are very down to earth. As the story progresses we learn more about all the characters in the story who have had tragic loses.
The author does a great job in detailing each character that you feel you get to know each one well. I found the characters to be very mature for their ages but after what each has been through it would be understandable as each were forced to grow up faster than they should have. This is a dark story with mature scenes. In the end the author had a smile on my face and I was super happy on how things worked out for Josephine and Dex.
Be prepared for a very dark type book but with a great ending. Both the main characters Jo (Josephine) and Dex (Declan) both come with dark pasts and are really have broken spirits. Jo grew up in a orphanage after her mother passed away in a car accident when she was 12. She didn't know of her father or any other family. Dex suffered through the passing of his mother a then his father a couple years later. Jo breaking into houses to feel in control of her life as she didn't have control. Dex took to drinking and sleeping with any women that came around.
In a chance meeting Dex and Jo fall for each other, two broken souls. They both are from totally separate worlds - Jo a waitress trying to make enough money to keep a roof over her head and food in her belly, while Dex comes from a very wealthy family and doesn't worry about anything when it comes to money but both are very down to earth. As the story progresses we learn more about all the characters in the story who have had tragic loses.
The author does a great job in detailing each character that you feel you get to know each one well. I found the characters to be very mature for their ages but after what each has been through it would be understandable as each were forced to grow up faster than they should have. This is a dark story with mature scenes. In the end the author had a smile on my face and I was super happy on how things worked out for Josephine and Dex.
July 31, 2013
What can I say about this book, it was fantastic, beautifully written, filled with so much passion, so many great details. I honestly LOVED it there was so much put into it, it was like watching a movie you never know what exactly you are going to get. There was mystery, romance, comedy, steamy R rated parts as well..
I understood Jo I felt like we were on the same page most of the time and she was almost the mirror image of me and come on who wouldn't wanna be her I know I'd like a piece of the Dex cake too. I loved her attitude most of the time, the way she was with Dex all lovey dovey,
I am guilty of being like that too.
But oh man now on to Dex what can I say about the gorgeous, buff, amazingly sweet, fantastic, handsome, funny guy... I enjoyed his character so much. From what he wore, to how much he loved Jo. He was so happy with her, trust me sometimes I dislike instalove but when it is done so right, I am alllll for it. Declan made me giggle, cry, fall in love with each turn of the page. I swear if he wasn't a fictional character "Lord help me" cause I would steal him from Jo ;).
Such an amazing storyline I would have never thought that she was going to end up being the daughter of such and such. So that definitely took me by surprise! Breaking Josephine was a fantastic book, to die for. And the steamy scenes well lets just say they were so realistic phewww you're gonna want to crack a window before starting it
I understood Jo I felt like we were on the same page most of the time and she was almost the mirror image of me and come on who wouldn't wanna be her I know I'd like a piece of the Dex cake too. I loved her attitude most of the time, the way she was with Dex all lovey dovey,
I am guilty of being like that too.
But oh man now on to Dex what can I say about the gorgeous, buff, amazingly sweet, fantastic, handsome, funny guy... I enjoyed his character so much. From what he wore, to how much he loved Jo. He was so happy with her, trust me sometimes I dislike instalove but when it is done so right, I am alllll for it. Declan made me giggle, cry, fall in love with each turn of the page. I swear if he wasn't a fictional character "Lord help me" cause I would steal him from Jo ;).
Such an amazing storyline I would have never thought that she was going to end up being the daughter of such and such. So that definitely took me by surprise! Breaking Josephine was a fantastic book, to die for. And the steamy scenes well lets just say they were so realistic phewww you're gonna want to crack a window before starting it
August 5, 2013
This book just isn't a romance book, but it's a mystery as well. Sometimes I like mystery in my books and this one had one. When we first meet Jo she has well a tenancy to talk to herself, "Jo, get a hold of yourself, this is ridiculous," I thought to myself. "You burglarized his house for god sakes and he's probably already called the police and is going to have you arrested. He's not exactly going to be interested in ravishing the cat burglar." When Dex is wrong the boy can admit it, "I'm sorry, it's none of my business, you're right. I just had a moment of jealous panic. This has all happened so fast and we haven't really talked about anything, and I thought maybe for a minute you were seeing someone else." Dex he's a good guy and communication is good for a relationship, "look, Jo, just so you know, I'm clean. I've been tested every six months since I was seventeen, and I've only ever had sex with a condom. Before you, I'd never even had a blow job without a condom." That's um interesting... Anyway I liked this book and I would love to see a follow up or maybe ever William and Macy's story, don't really care about Colin's as he's an arse.
June 2, 2013
I am sory to say that i didnt like this book, it was like reading a bad harlequin novel.
Unrealistic storylines are a little harder to get into, but still offer a fun read but this one is just too much of a cliché for me.
Unrealistic storylines are a little harder to get into, but still offer a fun read but this one is just too much of a cliché for me.
August 14, 2013
Great book...love the twist with a little mystery thrown in!!! The storyline was very well written and holy hotness when it came to Dex & Jo's romance!! I look forward to more books from Marie Stewart:))
June 6, 2013
Omg I think this book is 80% describing what she see n 20% of what's happening in her life. The story line was whatever I was dying reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews