What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hurley Boys #2
Broken Open
Beyond passion. And beyond their control…
Five years ago, Tuesday Eastwood's life collapsed and left her devastated. After an empty, nomadic existence, she's finally pieced her life back together in the small Oregon town of Hood River. Now Tuesday has everything sorted out. Just so long as men are kept for sex, and only sex…
Then she met him.
Musician and rancher Ezra Hurley isn't the man of Tuesday's dreams. He's a verboten fantasy—a man tortured by past addictions, whose dark charisma and long, lean body promise delicious carnality. But this craving goes far beyond chemistry. It's primal. It's insatiable. And it won't be satisfied until they're both consumed, body and soul…
Five years ago, Tuesday Eastwood's life collapsed and left her devastated. After an empty, nomadic existence, she's finally pieced her life back together in the small Oregon town of Hood River. Now Tuesday has everything sorted out. Just so long as men are kept for sex, and only sex…
Then she met him.
Musician and rancher Ezra Hurley isn't the man of Tuesday's dreams. He's a verboten fantasy—a man tortured by past addictions, whose dark charisma and long, lean body promise delicious carnality. But this craving goes far beyond chemistry. It's primal. It's insatiable. And it won't be satisfied until they're both consumed, body and soul…
Mass Market Paperback
First published November 25, 2014
151 people are currently reading
2771 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Dane
111 books4,997 followersLauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
September 30, 2014
Yum! Ezra Hurley is delicious!
A quote from the book: "Holy crap, that's Ezra? He's like a nuclear Testosterone bomb wrapped in velvety smooth hot man skin."
A little background: Broken Open is the second book in Lauren Dane's Hurley Boys series, and it's another winner. This one focuses on oldest Hurley brother Ezra (how's that for an original hero name?) Ezra's a 30-something former rock star turned rancher. Ezra had a bad drug addiction (heroin) during his rock star days, but has been clean and sober for years. As a result of that addiction and finally getting clean and sober, Ezra now runs the family ranch and has retired from 'the road'. He's still a part of his brothers' band (writing songs and making cds) but he no longer tours. He doesn't want to fall back into that lifestyle again. Now he's a hard working businessman, with a couple of pet pigs, a dog, and some cats to keep him company (along with his family, of course). There's no woman in his life, except for a 'friend-with-benefits' he sees when he feels the 'need'. And he likes it that way. Until he meets the best friend of brother Paddy's (The Best Kind of Trouble) girlfriend Natalie--Tuesday Eastwood.
Tuesday is black, beautiful, and a widow of four years. She has a custom frame shop and also makes jewelry, and aspires to open her own gallery. Her husband (who was white) died after a tragic illness, and Tuesday's had a hard time getting past that. She dates (or should I say 'hooks-up') with guys she won't get serious with. In fact, she makes sure that things don't turn serious, because the thought of putting her heart into a relationship again scares her. So she's been carrying a bunch of emotional baggage related to her husband's death (his family is just awful to her) for years. And then she meets the hunky, bearded, tatted, pierced, emotionally scarred Ezra...and something just clicks for both of them.
Tuesday...
"You touch me and everything else fades into the background. You fill me with so much raw yearning I can barely breathe. When it's you and me, skin to skin, it's raw and beautiful and all encompassing. It nearly hurts, you make me feel so good. That scares me and makes me feel guilty. Like I'm betraying him. And I don't care. I want you more than any guilt I feel. I've never wanted anything or anyone the way I want you."
Will Ezra be just another one of Tuesday's hook-ups...or...could he be something more? Will Ezra ever get past the guilt and shame he feels about what his heroin problem did to his family and allow himself to enjoy some happiness? Can Tuesday risk putting her heart out there for someone who is afraid to commit to a future with her?
I loved this book, and I'm loving this series. It reminds me a bit of LD's Brown Family series, with the rock star family. As usual the writing is quite good, the story telling superb, the characters fully formed and interesting, and their problems quite real. It's hard not to fall in love with Ezra. But god, was he hard on himself! Despite what he put his brothers (and his parents--especially his mother--there's a scene late in the book detailing what his addiction did to his mother that had me tearing up) through, they have fully forgiven him and moved on. But Ezra hasn't fully forgiven himself and can't move forward. In fact, he worries that his craving for Tuesday is like his craving for drugs, so he doesn't want to let himself get too wrapped up in her. Tuesday also struggles with the love she feels for Ezra, thinking that is somehow a betrayal of her dead husband. But with good friend Natalie to counsel her, she works through her feelings. And I liked how Tuesday gave it to Ezra straight and laid the cards on the table for him when she saw that he was having trouble with the intensity of his feelings for her. I admired her as a heroine: she said 'this is what I need, this is what I deserve, and if you can't give it to me...'. No begging and pleading from this strong woman, and I loved that about her.
The love scenes? Super hot and intense. Ezra is commanding in the bedroom, and that is just fine with Tuesday. They just smoldered whenever they were near each other. These are two passionate people who find it hard to keep their hands to themselves! Which makes for one sexy hot read.
If you like any of Lauren Dane's contemporary series, do yourself a favor and try this one. It's got heat, it's got heart, and it's got characters you'll fall in love with. 4 1/2 stars
*ARC courtesy of HQN via Netgalley
A quote from the book: "Holy crap, that's Ezra? He's like a nuclear Testosterone bomb wrapped in velvety smooth hot man skin."
A little background: Broken Open is the second book in Lauren Dane's Hurley Boys series, and it's another winner. This one focuses on oldest Hurley brother Ezra (how's that for an original hero name?) Ezra's a 30-something former rock star turned rancher. Ezra had a bad drug addiction (heroin) during his rock star days, but has been clean and sober for years. As a result of that addiction and finally getting clean and sober, Ezra now runs the family ranch and has retired from 'the road'. He's still a part of his brothers' band (writing songs and making cds) but he no longer tours. He doesn't want to fall back into that lifestyle again. Now he's a hard working businessman, with a couple of pet pigs, a dog, and some cats to keep him company (along with his family, of course). There's no woman in his life, except for a 'friend-with-benefits' he sees when he feels the 'need'. And he likes it that way. Until he meets the best friend of brother Paddy's (The Best Kind of Trouble) girlfriend Natalie--Tuesday Eastwood.
Tuesday is black, beautiful, and a widow of four years. She has a custom frame shop and also makes jewelry, and aspires to open her own gallery. Her husband (who was white) died after a tragic illness, and Tuesday's had a hard time getting past that. She dates (or should I say 'hooks-up') with guys she won't get serious with. In fact, she makes sure that things don't turn serious, because the thought of putting her heart into a relationship again scares her. So she's been carrying a bunch of emotional baggage related to her husband's death (his family is just awful to her) for years. And then she meets the hunky, bearded, tatted, pierced, emotionally scarred Ezra...and something just clicks for both of them.
Tuesday...
"You touch me and everything else fades into the background. You fill me with so much raw yearning I can barely breathe. When it's you and me, skin to skin, it's raw and beautiful and all encompassing. It nearly hurts, you make me feel so good. That scares me and makes me feel guilty. Like I'm betraying him. And I don't care. I want you more than any guilt I feel. I've never wanted anything or anyone the way I want you."
Will Ezra be just another one of Tuesday's hook-ups...or...could he be something more? Will Ezra ever get past the guilt and shame he feels about what his heroin problem did to his family and allow himself to enjoy some happiness? Can Tuesday risk putting her heart out there for someone who is afraid to commit to a future with her?
I loved this book, and I'm loving this series. It reminds me a bit of LD's Brown Family series, with the rock star family. As usual the writing is quite good, the story telling superb, the characters fully formed and interesting, and their problems quite real. It's hard not to fall in love with Ezra. But god, was he hard on himself! Despite what he put his brothers (and his parents--especially his mother--there's a scene late in the book detailing what his addiction did to his mother that had me tearing up) through, they have fully forgiven him and moved on. But Ezra hasn't fully forgiven himself and can't move forward. In fact, he worries that his craving for Tuesday is like his craving for drugs, so he doesn't want to let himself get too wrapped up in her. Tuesday also struggles with the love she feels for Ezra, thinking that is somehow a betrayal of her dead husband. But with good friend Natalie to counsel her, she works through her feelings. And I liked how Tuesday gave it to Ezra straight and laid the cards on the table for him when she saw that he was having trouble with the intensity of his feelings for her. I admired her as a heroine: she said 'this is what I need, this is what I deserve, and if you can't give it to me...'. No begging and pleading from this strong woman, and I loved that about her.
The love scenes? Super hot and intense. Ezra is commanding in the bedroom, and that is just fine with Tuesday. They just smoldered whenever they were near each other. These are two passionate people who find it hard to keep their hands to themselves! Which makes for one sexy hot read.
If you like any of Lauren Dane's contemporary series, do yourself a favor and try this one. It's got heat, it's got heart, and it's got characters you'll fall in love with. 4 1/2 stars
*ARC courtesy of HQN via Netgalley
November 27, 2014
4.5 stars
I was very much anticipating this book just on the meeting of this couple from the first book The Best Kind of Trouble.
I loved the first book in the series. It was a good, solid book that looked at the building of a relationship from the inside. No real external conflict, just the struggles and issues that a pair of grown ups with lives and a past have. It also did a great job of drawing a picture of a big, complex family as well as a fantastic friendship between two friends, Natalie (the heroine from that book) and Tuesday (the heroine in this book).
So when Tuesday and Ezra circle around each other in that first book, meeting eyes and zinging with awareness, the anticipation for them was set.
With such high expectations I was a bit nervous whether this book would really meet them.
Boy did it.
Just like the first book, there are no external conflicts here for the couple. They acknowledge they want each other. But each has a lot of baggage that is potentially problematic in trying to start up something new.
Tuesday is still coming back from the devastating loss of her first husband to a quick and brutal bout with cancer. While Ezra is a 5-years clean ex-heroin addict. The book does a great job of letting us in on how the two of them are somewhat still broken by these things but because of their relationship, are starting to put it behind them and heal. Ezra struggles a bit more than Tuesday and I must say I liked that the author allowed this aspect to be a little lopsided, rather than trying to make both of their issues completely equal.
Ezra is terrified of back-sliding back into the behaviors that made his addiction possible. We learned quite a bit of what happened to him and how it affected his family in the first book, so this one just colors in the lines a little bit more and gives some insight from his POV. He is deliberate in the things he does and the controls he needs to wield over his life. I was fascinated by the parts where he described how much of his success in staying clean was the result of behavior modification and how vigilant he still is. So Tuesday becoming a real part of his life must be approached with some caution by him.
Of course, Tuesday is a grown ass woman with ideas of her own and I like how she pushes him and doesn't shy away from saying things. She doesn't tip-toe and is rather frank in her feelings.
This is a relationship book more than anything and it follows the pattern of the first book which just allows the couple of fall in love without odd misunderstandings or unrealistic situations.
As with the first book, this book is brimful with the Hurley family relationships. We get a little foretaste of what is gonna happen with the next book. It also continues with the awesome Natalie/Tuesday friendship. I love books that feature healthy and strong best girlfriend relationships. It also continues to give us a peek into Natalie and Tuesdays extended and enduring friendships with their posse from college. This little bit adds nothing to the plot, but does add color and flavor and as such goes toward creating good character depth. As does Tuesday awesome family and her rather ratchet in-laws
Tuesday is black and this is only briefly mentioned in the first book and isn't an issue here. I love that the author didn't go into elaborate food-coloring descriptions of Tuesday. You get the impression of a beautiful, athletic outdoorsy woman with fabulous hair. There is one racial incident that felt a little over-dramatic but in the aftermath of it, Tuesday's conversation with Ezra hit the right note, imo, where she is pragmatic about such things because she is black. Whereas he, unaware because of his privilege, wants to punch things.
I will give kudos to the author for her little touches with Tuesday, esp. with her hair. Little moments where Tuesday wraps her head before bed or wears afro puffs (a real turn on for Ezra apparently) or where Ezra gazes longingly at her little satin pillow she brings to his house to sleep on. The significance of that satin pillow did not escape me.
Finally this is a sexy, sexy book. Ezra and Tuesday are hot and chemical. They really have a strong sexual and romantic chemistry in the book. I was hoping the hot spark from the first book would burst into flame here... it did.
Great book. I recommend both books in the series so far.
I was very much anticipating this book just on the meeting of this couple from the first book The Best Kind of Trouble.
I loved the first book in the series. It was a good, solid book that looked at the building of a relationship from the inside. No real external conflict, just the struggles and issues that a pair of grown ups with lives and a past have. It also did a great job of drawing a picture of a big, complex family as well as a fantastic friendship between two friends, Natalie (the heroine from that book) and Tuesday (the heroine in this book).
So when Tuesday and Ezra circle around each other in that first book, meeting eyes and zinging with awareness, the anticipation for them was set.
With such high expectations I was a bit nervous whether this book would really meet them.
Boy did it.
Just like the first book, there are no external conflicts here for the couple. They acknowledge they want each other. But each has a lot of baggage that is potentially problematic in trying to start up something new.
Tuesday is still coming back from the devastating loss of her first husband to a quick and brutal bout with cancer. While Ezra is a 5-years clean ex-heroin addict. The book does a great job of letting us in on how the two of them are somewhat still broken by these things but because of their relationship, are starting to put it behind them and heal. Ezra struggles a bit more than Tuesday and I must say I liked that the author allowed this aspect to be a little lopsided, rather than trying to make both of their issues completely equal.
Ezra is terrified of back-sliding back into the behaviors that made his addiction possible. We learned quite a bit of what happened to him and how it affected his family in the first book, so this one just colors in the lines a little bit more and gives some insight from his POV. He is deliberate in the things he does and the controls he needs to wield over his life. I was fascinated by the parts where he described how much of his success in staying clean was the result of behavior modification and how vigilant he still is. So Tuesday becoming a real part of his life must be approached with some caution by him.
Of course, Tuesday is a grown ass woman with ideas of her own and I like how she pushes him and doesn't shy away from saying things. She doesn't tip-toe and is rather frank in her feelings.
This is a relationship book more than anything and it follows the pattern of the first book which just allows the couple of fall in love without odd misunderstandings or unrealistic situations.
As with the first book, this book is brimful with the Hurley family relationships. We get a little foretaste of what is gonna happen with the next book. It also continues with the awesome Natalie/Tuesday friendship. I love books that feature healthy and strong best girlfriend relationships. It also continues to give us a peek into Natalie and Tuesdays extended and enduring friendships with their posse from college. This little bit adds nothing to the plot, but does add color and flavor and as such goes toward creating good character depth. As does Tuesday awesome family and her rather ratchet in-laws
Tuesday is black and this is only briefly mentioned in the first book and isn't an issue here. I love that the author didn't go into elaborate food-coloring descriptions of Tuesday. You get the impression of a beautiful, athletic outdoorsy woman with fabulous hair. There is one racial incident that felt a little over-dramatic but in the aftermath of it, Tuesday's conversation with Ezra hit the right note, imo, where she is pragmatic about such things because she is black. Whereas he, unaware because of his privilege, wants to punch things.
I will give kudos to the author for her little touches with Tuesday, esp. with her hair. Little moments where Tuesday wraps her head before bed or wears afro puffs (a real turn on for Ezra apparently) or where Ezra gazes longingly at her little satin pillow she brings to his house to sleep on. The significance of that satin pillow did not escape me.
Finally this is a sexy, sexy book. Ezra and Tuesday are hot and chemical. They really have a strong sexual and romantic chemistry in the book. I was hoping the hot spark from the first book would burst into flame here... it did.
Great book. I recommend both books in the series so far.
November 13, 2014
Once again Lauren Dane has crafted a superbly evocative and sexy story with unique and engaging characters. I really enjoyed The Best Kind of Trouble and didn't possibly think the series could get any better. Well, how wrong I was in that assumption. Broken Open definitely ups the ante with two characters who are perfect together in their brokenness.
Tuesday Eastwood and Ezra Hurley were well thought out and well-rounded as individuals and as a couple. They were both saddled by past experiences and tragedies and I was wholly enjoyable watching them navigate the rocky times in between the smooth and sexy ones. Tuesday was recovering from the premature death of her husband. She lived her life in a state of numbness for several years -- only surviving and not thriving. She does give in to the needs of her body and engages in fleeting affairs with men. She meets them at hotels though, never intertwines her life with theirs in any manner. That is until she meets Ezra. Ezra inspires feelings in her that she hasn't felt since her husband. Actually, and as time goes on, her feelings for Ezra are even stronger than the feelings she has for her husband. As she struggles to deal with her burgeoning feelings and strong desire for Ezra, she also battles her guilt. Guilt for surviving. Guilt for moving on. Guilt for giving her heart to another man. A man who is also struggling with his own personal demons. Ezra Hurley was THE man behind Sweet Hollow. He was the front man and music creator until heroin took it all away from him. With the help of his family, Ezra battled himself back from a very dark place. But he too feels guilt because of the devastation he wreaked on his family. Watching the romance unfold between Ezra and Tuesday was bittersweet with lots of sexy moments woven throughout it. Ezra intentionally kept Tuesday at a distance when it came to all but her body, and Tuesday was subtly pushing her way forward. She gave Ezra the space he needed to process his feelings but that in turn caused her discomfort. As usual, the Hurley family was there to support them as they found their way to a lasting love.
For those who have read and enjoyed Dane's Brown and Chase series, you will most certainly enjoy The Hurley series as well. She manages to get family and human dynamics spot-on. Her families aren't perfect and they don't always have a mom, a dad, and 2.5 children. But what her families do have is love, affection, and support, even for people not born into them. Close friends and lovers are always taken into the family-fold and it is the same with the Hurley's. I loved, loved, loved, the scene where Michael stood up for Tuesday in the feed store. He was not going to allow someone talk to Tuesday in an unseemly manner. His affection for her was apparent. And then again, at the gallery opening when Tuesday's in-laws (of her deceased husband) came to call to ruin her night. Michael, Ezra, and her father Greg presented a unified front to protect her. That was one of my most favorite scenes in the story. Another thing that Dane does well is handling unpleasant scenarios. So, as well as she handled Erin, Todd, and Ben relationship in Laid Bare, she handled Ezra and Tuesday's equally well in Broken Open. Very well, in fact. The challenges of blacks in America and interracial couples was addressed in a manner that made it present but didn't overwhelm the story. An issue came up, it was addressed, and the couple moved on. The issues were not discounted but I appreciated how the story was very much about the romance between the characters and NOT the color of their skin.
I highly recommend Broken Open and The Best Kind of Trouble for anyone looking for a sweet and sexy contemporary romances that focuses on multidimensional characters with real life issues.
Tuesday Eastwood and Ezra Hurley were well thought out and well-rounded as individuals and as a couple. They were both saddled by past experiences and tragedies and I was wholly enjoyable watching them navigate the rocky times in between the smooth and sexy ones. Tuesday was recovering from the premature death of her husband. She lived her life in a state of numbness for several years -- only surviving and not thriving. She does give in to the needs of her body and engages in fleeting affairs with men. She meets them at hotels though, never intertwines her life with theirs in any manner. That is until she meets Ezra. Ezra inspires feelings in her that she hasn't felt since her husband. Actually, and as time goes on, her feelings for Ezra are even stronger than the feelings she has for her husband. As she struggles to deal with her burgeoning feelings and strong desire for Ezra, she also battles her guilt. Guilt for surviving. Guilt for moving on. Guilt for giving her heart to another man. A man who is also struggling with his own personal demons. Ezra Hurley was THE man behind Sweet Hollow. He was the front man and music creator until heroin took it all away from him. With the help of his family, Ezra battled himself back from a very dark place. But he too feels guilt because of the devastation he wreaked on his family. Watching the romance unfold between Ezra and Tuesday was bittersweet with lots of sexy moments woven throughout it. Ezra intentionally kept Tuesday at a distance when it came to all but her body, and Tuesday was subtly pushing her way forward. She gave Ezra the space he needed to process his feelings but that in turn caused her discomfort. As usual, the Hurley family was there to support them as they found their way to a lasting love.
For those who have read and enjoyed Dane's Brown and Chase series, you will most certainly enjoy The Hurley series as well. She manages to get family and human dynamics spot-on. Her families aren't perfect and they don't always have a mom, a dad, and 2.5 children. But what her families do have is love, affection, and support, even for people not born into them. Close friends and lovers are always taken into the family-fold and it is the same with the Hurley's. I loved, loved, loved, the scene where Michael stood up for Tuesday in the feed store. He was not going to allow someone talk to Tuesday in an unseemly manner. His affection for her was apparent. And then again, at the gallery opening when Tuesday's in-laws (of her deceased husband) came to call to ruin her night. Michael, Ezra, and her father Greg presented a unified front to protect her. That was one of my most favorite scenes in the story. Another thing that Dane does well is handling unpleasant scenarios. So, as well as she handled Erin, Todd, and Ben relationship in Laid Bare, she handled Ezra and Tuesday's equally well in Broken Open. Very well, in fact. The challenges of blacks in America and interracial couples was addressed in a manner that made it present but didn't overwhelm the story. An issue came up, it was addressed, and the couple moved on. The issues were not discounted but I appreciated how the story was very much about the romance between the characters and NOT the color of their skin.
I highly recommend Broken Open and The Best Kind of Trouble for anyone looking for a sweet and sexy contemporary romances that focuses on multidimensional characters with real life issues.
December 30, 2014
Second chances at love is not for everyone. For someone who loved their husband deeply, Tuesday is longing for the closeness of her lost beloved. It is years, but for her, it seems like just yesterday her best friend and lover left her to a world coloured in shades of gray. When a chance meeting with Ezra Hurley results in a kiss, Tuesday's world cracks open just a little bit to let in some colour. Ezra is no saint. He's alienated family and friends in the past and he's still paying for his sins.
Normally, I don't mention this in a review, but lately I've been asked for more recommendations on interracial romances. This would qualify as Tuesday is a beautiful black Amazonian woman. Did she really come across as a woman of colour? This I'm not sure I can exactly confirm. For those who love bad boy rockstar, Ezra will satisfy this need.
Tuesday and Ezra coming together is a slow dance. They both have hurts and pains holding them back from exploring their desires and deepening their relationship. When it comes to creating loveable characters, Ms. Dane excels. Tuesday is a woman who I'd love to have as a best friend. She's loyal and kind. She's straightforward and funny. Ezra is a sweetheart who wrestles with guilt. The two of them together create smexy sparks. They also bring forth healing for each other. This is what makes Ms. Dane so good. She shows time and time again how people can move on and heal from wounds that are painful and feel as if they could kill a person. The way both emotional and physical damage is given a chance to heal within a circle of friends and family is Ms. Dane's secret seductive writing skill. Love it.
The erotic content to this book is quite vanilla. For me, it didn't do much but for those who enjoy sweet smexy loving, Ms. Dane knows how to set a scene and keep it smoldering. It is nice to see the sex as the catalyst to bring the two lovers together yet it doesn't overwhelm the story. This is a plot driven book extenuated with good sex. Recommended for romance lovers who love when a redeemed rockstar finds the one who makes his soul sing.
*provided by NetGalley
Normally, I don't mention this in a review, but lately I've been asked for more recommendations on interracial romances. This would qualify as Tuesday is a beautiful black Amazonian woman. Did she really come across as a woman of colour? This I'm not sure I can exactly confirm. For those who love bad boy rockstar, Ezra will satisfy this need.
Tuesday and Ezra coming together is a slow dance. They both have hurts and pains holding them back from exploring their desires and deepening their relationship. When it comes to creating loveable characters, Ms. Dane excels. Tuesday is a woman who I'd love to have as a best friend. She's loyal and kind. She's straightforward and funny. Ezra is a sweetheart who wrestles with guilt. The two of them together create smexy sparks. They also bring forth healing for each other. This is what makes Ms. Dane so good. She shows time and time again how people can move on and heal from wounds that are painful and feel as if they could kill a person. The way both emotional and physical damage is given a chance to heal within a circle of friends and family is Ms. Dane's secret seductive writing skill. Love it.
The erotic content to this book is quite vanilla. For me, it didn't do much but for those who enjoy sweet smexy loving, Ms. Dane knows how to set a scene and keep it smoldering. It is nice to see the sex as the catalyst to bring the two lovers together yet it doesn't overwhelm the story. This is a plot driven book extenuated with good sex. Recommended for romance lovers who love when a redeemed rockstar finds the one who makes his soul sing.
*provided by NetGalley
December 16, 2014
Review to come; as soon as I get some more time! Great read though! I love all of the Hurley Bros but Ezra is extra special and sexy to me!!! He's my fave!!
October 1, 2014
*** I have received an eARC via NetGalley ***
I've already read the first book of The Hurley Boys Series (The Best Kind Of Trouble) and I was a bit worried that Broken Open could become a second version of book No. 1 (I mean, we have a hot rockstar and a strong woman in both books!), but nope - this book was so much better.
Sorry Natalie :/ but my Hurley Girl Crush is moving onto Tuesday... I like how open and vibrant she is and her friendship with Natalie (and later Kelly) is solid.
First of all: such a gorgeous cover!
The book doesn't focus on Tuesday's skin color (because it doesn't matter if she's green, purple or striped!), but it shows what POC have to experience every day - because for some people, POC are not "normal"... let me tell you, I can fully relate with the feelings Tuesday experienced during a certain scene and as fictional as it was, it did feel real and ugly.
I loved, what Tuesday said: The quiet racist just hides it a little better.
(One of the moments when I'm reminded why I love reading Lauren Dane, she writes in a direct & refreshing way, without any pretenses or detours. Just on point.)
And it was cleverly done, because this scene came out of nowhere - but that's just like reality, there are people who accept you like you are and BAM! there comes an a-hole who judges you according to your skin color...
But well.... Moving onto some "lighter" moments in the book :)
Ever since I've read about Tuesday in book 1, I was intrigued about her story and in my opinion,
to understand her instant connection with Ezra, you do need to know book no. 1, because it's not "Insta-Lust" at all. I appreciate that there were no "constructed" dramas and the characters are behaving as normal as fictional characters can do ;)
Both of them danced around each other "like cats" and for once I was pretty content that no crazy Ex or third love interest popped up to disturb the flow.
I kinda expected to read more about Ezra's terrible deeds in the past, maybe some shadowy associates trying to worm their way back into his life, but the story was more about him and Tuesday getting over their issues - him, worrying about replacing an addiction with another (he thinks he is getting "addicted" to Tuesday) and her, feeling guilty, because she feels so much more for Ezra than for her late husband. Both of them are not perfect, but have "grown up" making their mistakes and are anchoring each other. (Ehem, that sounded rather pervy...)
Lastly: How did this happen? How could Lauren Dane make me like Jeremy?
If you've read her previous books from the Brown Family series you might've recognized Erin's Ex, he was rather bland and not really interesting but as a friend to Ezra I saw him in a new light...
One more PS: And Adrian (Rawr!) from the book Never Enough made a cameo - ok, his name made a cameo - appearance in this book :D
Wouldn't that be interesting, Ezra and Adrian in one room?
I've already read the first book of The Hurley Boys Series (The Best Kind Of Trouble) and I was a bit worried that Broken Open could become a second version of book No. 1 (I mean, we have a hot rockstar and a strong woman in both books!), but nope - this book was so much better.
Sorry Natalie :/ but my Hurley Girl Crush is moving onto Tuesday... I like how open and vibrant she is and her friendship with Natalie (and later Kelly) is solid.
First of all: such a gorgeous cover!
The book doesn't focus on Tuesday's skin color (because it doesn't matter if she's green, purple or striped!), but it shows what POC have to experience every day - because for some people, POC are not "normal"... let me tell you, I can fully relate with the feelings Tuesday experienced during a certain scene and as fictional as it was, it did feel real and ugly.
I loved, what Tuesday said: The quiet racist just hides it a little better.
(One of the moments when I'm reminded why I love reading Lauren Dane, she writes in a direct & refreshing way, without any pretenses or detours. Just on point.)
And it was cleverly done, because this scene came out of nowhere - but that's just like reality, there are people who accept you like you are and BAM! there comes an a-hole who judges you according to your skin color...
But well.... Moving onto some "lighter" moments in the book :)
Ever since I've read about Tuesday in book 1, I was intrigued about her story and in my opinion,
to understand her instant connection with Ezra, you do need to know book no. 1, because it's not "Insta-Lust" at all. I appreciate that there were no "constructed" dramas and the characters are behaving as normal as fictional characters can do ;)
Both of them danced around each other "like cats" and for once I was pretty content that no crazy Ex or third love interest popped up to disturb the flow.
I kinda expected to read more about Ezra's terrible deeds in the past, maybe some shadowy associates trying to worm their way back into his life, but the story was more about him and Tuesday getting over their issues - him, worrying about replacing an addiction with another (he thinks he is getting "addicted" to Tuesday) and her, feeling guilty, because she feels so much more for Ezra than for her late husband. Both of them are not perfect, but have "grown up" making their mistakes and are anchoring each other. (Ehem, that sounded rather pervy...)
Lastly: How did this happen? How could Lauren Dane make me like Jeremy?
If you've read her previous books from the Brown Family series you might've recognized Erin's Ex, he was rather bland and not really interesting but as a friend to Ezra I saw him in a new light...
One more PS: And Adrian (Rawr!) from the book Never Enough made a cameo - ok, his name made a cameo - appearance in this book :D
Wouldn't that be interesting, Ezra and Adrian in one room?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2018
I think the author ends the plot in 50% of the file and the rest drag. I noticed this in the other books in the series.
The hero is in doubt up to 95% of the story and I was already pissed off because nothing happened.
I think the most interesting thing was to see the evolution of the story about Kelly and Vaughan and how badly she was treated by the mother-in-law of hell.
========================
The hero is in doubt up to 95% of the story and I was already pissed off because nothing happened.
I think the most interesting thing was to see the evolution of the story about Kelly and Vaughan and how badly she was treated by the mother-in-law of hell.
========================
“I get caught up in it. It’s like he gets near and all my parts samba. He’s powerful. He takes up oxygen and space. He’s big and sexy. So. Sexy. I can’t even with how sexy he is.”
“Tuesday, it’s so good to see you, honey.” His mother came over and pulled Tuesday into a hug. He hid his annoyance at having to let her go. His mother winked at him once she broke the hug with Tuesday.
===>Kelly & Vaughan
Sharon’s mouth flattened just a tiny bit. Ezra knew his mother didn’t like Vaughan’s ex.
And yet, when he toured, it was Kelly who was there every single day. Kelly who gave up a lucrative career in modeling to stay near and raise the girls near their father. Kelly who dealt with the daily slog that parenting could be.
Tuesday knew what it meant to feel like an outsider. Here, even in this woman’s home she was outnumbered by Hurleys. For that reason, Tuesday really liked Kelly from the very first smile.
“I don’t know. I should let it go. He’s good to the girls. They both really like him. They’d make a family together, his part and her part.”
Vaughan, these are your women. Your children and your woman. Why are you even hesitating?”
Vaughan’s anguish was clear on his features. “Do you think I like it? I hate it. But what can I do, Ez? I walked away. I wanted a divorce and she gave me one and this is what the price of that act is. I made my decision and it fucked up everything. But I can’t take it back.”
Claim your family. Be worthy of them.”
Kelly approached with a very good-looking guy, who was clearly the fiancé everyone pretended Vaughan wasn’t upset by.
“Vaughan isn’t a bad man.” Kelly began to speak as she arranged the jewelry and took pictures of it. “He just didn’t want a life with me and the girls. It took me a really long time to get over that.”
Tuesday believed in her gut when it came to meeting people. Kelly fit into Tuesday’s life a lot like Natalie had. Pretty much instantly. Which Tuesday believed was exactly what was supposed to happen.
<===
“Your mother is my hero. For. Real.” Ezra laughed. “She’s a goddamn pain in my ass. But she’s pretty amazing.”
==>OW<==
He didn’t really chat about his private life with the woman he’d been seeing in Portland. He drove to her place, fucked her for a few hours and drove back.
He hadn’t been to Portland since November.
“He’s a risk, Nat. He’s scared and skittish and there are times I know he’s deliberately not calling or seeing me. Times he holds back. There’s so much grief in him. Guilt. I may never get through his defenses.”
Each day without her, the energy had built along with the craving.
“Okay then. Once every few weeks I used to head to Portland because there’s a woman there who I liked fucking. She liked being fucked. She liked it a little rough and that’s what I had for her. I never met her friends. I never mentioned her name to you or anyone I know. Everyone got off and no one cared much beyond those hours we spent together. That was all I needed.”
“He’s white,” Shawn said. “Oh my god!” She paused, slapping a hand over her heart. “He is?” Her mother chuckled.
“Is Vaughan ever going to tell her the whole story? Why things broke?” “That’s between Vaughan and Sharon. The only way I can envision this second chance working is for him to make sure he will always be between us because I’m not going to tolerate any shit from her this time around.”
He’d sort of been feeling that this thing with Tuesday was substituting one addiction with another
“She’s my girlfriend so yes, I care about her. Too early for love.”
And he’d been testing himself to see how long he could stay away. Needing to know.
Ten days without seeing her had made him hungry for the sight of those curls and the upward tilt of her mouth.
“I nearly lost who I was. It took years to live a normal life again. Yes, I’m afraid of falling back into that.”
==>95%<==
“I’m freaked the hell out. I can’t do this until I have it straight.”
“You need to figure stuff out first, Ezra. I can’t be something you relegate to a resentful addiction. Something you are powerless against. I’m not heroin. I’m not a bad thing at all and I can’t be with anyone who thinks that.”
I want you to love me back and you’re not ready. So, I’m going home.
July 24, 2016
A good steady romance, but one that I didn't feel especially sucked into. I'll probably read more in the series eventually.
October 9, 2018
5 Stars
I love this book!
I love this book!
May 21, 2018
http://bookslifewine.com/r-broken-open/
4.5 Stars
I loved The Best Kind of Trouble so when Broken Open was announced, I was rather excited. THEN I saw the cover for Broken Open and I swooned. Every once in a while publishers get covers right and this one is pretty much on the money! That BEARD. Her HAIR. Those TATS. Practically perfect, I tell you. I decided that I was pre-ordering this bad boy and I wanted it in DTB. So I did. Due to some (read: LOTS) issues with receiving my pre-order, I also have the ebook version of Broken Open.
Read entire review here: http://bookslifewine.com/r-broken-open/
4.5 Stars
"No more living in blacks and grays. Loving Ezra has left me broken open. I can't pull myself back together if he walks away. He's my missing piece. Don't get me wrong - if he comes back and says he can't give me what I need, I'll survive. That's how life goes. But I want to move forward with him."
-page 251
I loved The Best Kind of Trouble so when Broken Open was announced, I was rather excited. THEN I saw the cover for Broken Open and I swooned. Every once in a while publishers get covers right and this one is pretty much on the money! That BEARD. Her HAIR. Those TATS. Practically perfect, I tell you. I decided that I was pre-ordering this bad boy and I wanted it in DTB. So I did. Due to some (read: LOTS) issues with receiving my pre-order, I also have the ebook version of Broken Open.
Read entire review here: http://bookslifewine.com/r-broken-open/
did-not-finish
July 12, 2015DNF
January 16, 2016
4.5 Stars
Tuesday's story was very sad and she was a pretty amazing woman but Ezra was definately the star of the show, drool worthy and I absolutely adored him.
Tuesday's story was very sad and she was a pretty amazing woman but Ezra was definately the star of the show, drool worthy and I absolutely adored him.
December 15, 2021
The writing style was difficult to follow and it hindered my reading experience. It was choppy, and very difficult to follow.
December 15, 2014
"I'm ferocious. I'm dark and broody and broken."-Sweet Hollow Ranch
♥ TUESDAY & EZRA ♥
We all remember Tuesday & Ezra from the first book in the Hurley Boys series - where Ezra's brother Paddy found Natalie again, who he had a thing with ages ago...
And now it's time for Nat's best friend and roommate Tuesday to fall in love with Ezra.
Ezra, who used to be THE rock god the world loved.....
...until he couldn't withstand the temptations of the Rock'n'Roll lifestyle and became a heroin addict.
And before he lost not only his family but also his life, he went into rehab and is now pretty much out of the public eye. He still writes songs and helps his brothers with recording etc., but he's working at the Family Ranch now.
It had been a fight that he wasn't sure he's win at times, but there he stood, with all that devastation in his past, with great hope for his future.
But addiction is addiction and you never completely recover from that.
And now, Tuesday is in his life. She's the purest temptation - she could turn into another addiction. And Ezra is not sure if he would survive all this a second time...
And Tuesday. She's been widowed for over four years now. She's only ever had uncomplicated one-night-stands up until now.
But somehow this incredibly sexy Rocker-turned-Rancher is too much for her to resist.
Ditto girl!
...you look like what sex would look like if it was a person instead of a word.
But both their pasts are not easy to forget or overcome and they're both very scared ... they don't want to get hurt again - or hurt other people again.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH TUESDAY & EZRA?
WILL THE TWO OF THEM GET THEIR HEA?
OR WILL THERE BE A HORRIBLE CLIFFHANGER? o.O
I'm not telling you that of course ☺
___________________________________
SUCH AN ADORABLE ROMANCE!!!!!
Whenever I read the word ROCKSTAR in a blurb, I know this book has to be read asap!
I just love rockstar romances - and Navy SEAL and CEO romances - pfff I love them all - but I REALLY love ROCKSTARS!!!
And Ezra - grrrr - he's such a man's man Rockstar-Rancher☺
Ezra Hurley was a Capital M Man. In that riding horeses, baling hay, hands in the dirt, well-worn jeans way.
I'm not a fan of #TheBeard but on Ezra it totally works with his brooding rancher thing.
The story was soo full of sexual tension and sexy and romantic scenes!!
It was such a sweet & sexy & moving & sad romance - everything about it was perfect. The whole Hurley family for one. I would sooo love to be part of this crazy family! They're all so funny and cute and nice - plus, most of them are ROCKSTARS!!!!☺☺☺
It was amazing to read how both Ezra and Tuesday have been through terrible times in their lives and how they now try to finally find their HEA. But of course it wouldn't be a Romance Novel if there wouldn't be some obstacles in their way - mostly their own insecurities and fears....
But they both really try to get past all their sh** and dare to fall in love....
And they're having lots of sexy sex in the meantime...☺
"... we'll have to see if your need to control and my need to lick you all over are compatible."
And now I will just quote from my review for the first book in this series - because it kind of applies here too:
When I started reading I was kinda expecting something different - something more exciting, or more ...hm no idea - more suspensy or rock-star-ish maybe.
But the book just flows along like one of those 90's rock ballads - maybe NOVEMBER RAIN by Guns'n'Roses...no idea what I mean exactly though ☺ Maybe when I read the words ROCK STAR in the blurb - I kind of expected the book to be like SEX ON FIRE by Kings of Leon, but like I said, it's more of a long and slow ballad....BUT - that doesn't mean that I didn't love it - I totally did.
BROKEN OPEN- was a beautifully sad & adorably sexy Rockstar-Romance - about two broken souls who finally find the one person in the world who could be their Happy End.
You'll love Tuesday & Ezra!!!!!
I would totally sit in front of a TV every week if someone would make a tv-series out of this amazing Hurley Family!!!! Fangirling at rockstars every week??? HELL YEAH! ☺
Why are there no TV-Show about rock-stars on TV at all??? Where are Josh Schwartz & Joss Whedon when you need them?
And now - please hurry dear calendar - I want to read the next book asap!!!!
It will be about Hurley brother Vaughan and his ex-wife and baby-momma Kelly ☺
(we already find out a lot about them in this and even the last book)
May 8, 2015
She makes his heart sing. He makes her heart come alive. A passionate, sweet and touching romance about two people that help each other heal past wounds and look the a future filled with happiness and primal intensity.
Tuesday Eastwood has been putting the pieces of her life back together. After losing her husband she became a shadow of herself, drifting aimlessly from one place to another. But after her friend Natalie urged her to visit the small town Hood River, she started a small business making custom jewelry and framing. She’ still has a way to go, but each day is easier than the one before. But after meeting Ezra Hurley, can she handle all the passion and intensity that comes with him? And can she put her heart on the line for someone who’s afraid of being with her?
Ezra Hurley. Rancher. Musician. Recovering addict. Haunted by all the mistakes and hurt he caused his friends, family and himself. He’s never felt a pull so strong to another person as he does with Tuesday. It’s an insatiable craving, not just for her body but for her soul that scares him. Can he be strong enough to face his worries and realize he can be better and happy with her?
From the start, we’re propelled into Tuesday and Ezra’s story. Even though I had read book 1 (The Best Kind of Trouble), I felt there was very little preamble. That I was missing something and had to catch up with their relationship in the first few chapters. But once I got there, I truly enjoyed every part of their fierce but careful romance.
Still keeping an active role writing and producing music, Ezra doesn’t go on tour with his brothers. Staying home to run the family ranch. Even though Ezra has been clean and sober for years he’s his hardest critic and the only one that hasn’t been able to forgive himself.
He transmits a hard and fierce exterior. He’s dark and broody, but inside resides a big old soft marshmallow which is completely evident when seeing him with his pigs, cats and dog. I just loved how he took care of his entire family and adored how deeply he fell for Tuesday even when he held himself back because he worried he’d replace his heroin addiction with a Tuesday addiction.
Tuesday is a survivor. A strong, sultry, independent and funny woman who speaks her mind but can’t put her heart into a relationship for fear of feeling guilty and betraying her dead husband’s memory. I wanted to be her friend and hug her.
Tuesday and Ezra circled each other in a seductive dance between an erotic tango and a slow waltz. Their attraction was scorching hot. But I really liked that there was no over the top angst because Tuesday was so straight forward that it was impossible for them to go to worryville. They both handled their relationship in a mature, even if at times, tentative way which allowed them to heal from the wounds of their pasts.
Of course it was awesome that they both had friends and family that helped and supported them and their happiness. Every single secondary character, brothers, best friends, parents, were perfect and I loved the time they spent with them. I highlighted as many quotes between the main characters as I did with the supporting ones.
This book is written to enjoy and savor every single aspect of it. From the interesting hybrid that comes from the cross between rancher and the rocker, to the wonderful Tuesday, to the beautiful small town setting, the weekend getaways in the mountains, the horseback rides and the loveable family get-togethers. And of course the explosive chemistry and deep bond between Ezra and Tuesday.
Broken Open in the second book in the Hurly Boys series by Lauren Dane. It’s a contemporary romance set in Hood River, Oregon. Told from both points of view and can be read as a standalone which has a happy ending.
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
“We’re both broken in multiple ways. And yet we found one another. My broken pieces fit with yours.”
Tuesday Eastwood has been putting the pieces of her life back together. After losing her husband she became a shadow of herself, drifting aimlessly from one place to another. But after her friend Natalie urged her to visit the small town Hood River, she started a small business making custom jewelry and framing. She’ still has a way to go, but each day is easier than the one before. But after meeting Ezra Hurley, can she handle all the passion and intensity that comes with him? And can she put her heart on the line for someone who’s afraid of being with her?
Ezra Hurley. Rancher. Musician. Recovering addict. Haunted by all the mistakes and hurt he caused his friends, family and himself. He’s never felt a pull so strong to another person as he does with Tuesday. It’s an insatiable craving, not just for her body but for her soul that scares him. Can he be strong enough to face his worries and realize he can be better and happy with her?
“In addition to being a rancher, he was a rock star. A onetime hard-living, jet-setting, arena-filling rock star fallen to earth, crashing and burning.”
From the start, we’re propelled into Tuesday and Ezra’s story. Even though I had read book 1 (The Best Kind of Trouble), I felt there was very little preamble. That I was missing something and had to catch up with their relationship in the first few chapters. But once I got there, I truly enjoyed every part of their fierce but careful romance.
Still keeping an active role writing and producing music, Ezra doesn’t go on tour with his brothers. Staying home to run the family ranch. Even though Ezra has been clean and sober for years he’s his hardest critic and the only one that hasn’t been able to forgive himself.
“In case it’s escaped your notice when you look in a mirror, you’re beautiful, Ezra. You’re strong and your heart was forged by fire. It makes you a lion. With some scars, yes, but all warriors have scars.”
He transmits a hard and fierce exterior. He’s dark and broody, but inside resides a big old soft marshmallow which is completely evident when seeing him with his pigs, cats and dog. I just loved how he took care of his entire family and adored how deeply he fell for Tuesday even when he held himself back because he worried he’d replace his heroin addiction with a Tuesday addiction.
“You know, Ezra, you’re adorable. I won’t tell on you or anything. But you are so soft when it comes to the people and animals in your life.”
“I’m ferocious. I’m dark and broody and broken.”
Tuesday is a survivor. A strong, sultry, independent and funny woman who speaks her mind but can’t put her heart into a relationship for fear of feeling guilty and betraying her dead husband’s memory. I wanted to be her friend and hug her.
“Surviving changes you right down to your soul. You are a hundred times the woman now than you were before Eric died. Because you had to make the choice every day to keep going.”
Tuesday and Ezra circled each other in a seductive dance between an erotic tango and a slow waltz. Their attraction was scorching hot. But I really liked that there was no over the top angst because Tuesday was so straight forward that it was impossible for them to go to worryville. They both handled their relationship in a mature, even if at times, tentative way which allowed them to heal from the wounds of their pasts.
Of course it was awesome that they both had friends and family that helped and supported them and their happiness. Every single secondary character, brothers, best friends, parents, were perfect and I loved the time they spent with them. I highlighted as many quotes between the main characters as I did with the supporting ones.
This book is written to enjoy and savor every single aspect of it. From the interesting hybrid that comes from the cross between rancher and the rocker, to the wonderful Tuesday, to the beautiful small town setting, the weekend getaways in the mountains, the horseback rides and the loveable family get-togethers. And of course the explosive chemistry and deep bond between Ezra and Tuesday.
“You touch me and everything else fades into the background. You fill me with so much raw yearning I can barely breathe. When it’s you and me, skin to skin, it’s raw and beautiful and all encompassing.”
Broken Open in the second book in the Hurly Boys series by Lauren Dane. It’s a contemporary romance set in Hood River, Oregon. Told from both points of view and can be read as a standalone which has a happy ending.
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
January 1, 2015
I had to read this once I finished the first book. This one had such a different feel than that first, but that was completely appropriate. Both Ezra and Tuesday had these really dark things inside of them so that should have been reflected in the tone.
I really loved Ezra and Tuesday together. I wouldn't have thought it at the beginning of the first book, but they fit. And all the dirty sexy times didn't hurt either. Whew! Ezra was a mad man between the sheets. YUM.
I appreciated the fact that race issues were in the book. I think it's unrealistic to think that there would be none between this couple. But, I also liked that although it was noted, it didn't take over the story.
I'm am REALLY enjoying this series. I can't wait to see Kelly and Vaughn. I want to see how they are going to get back to each other. And, those Hurley boys are a force to reckon with!
I really loved Ezra and Tuesday together. I wouldn't have thought it at the beginning of the first book, but they fit. And all the dirty sexy times didn't hurt either. Whew! Ezra was a mad man between the sheets. YUM.
I appreciated the fact that race issues were in the book. I think it's unrealistic to think that there would be none between this couple. But, I also liked that although it was noted, it didn't take over the story.
I'm am REALLY enjoying this series. I can't wait to see Kelly and Vaughn. I want to see how they are going to get back to each other. And, those Hurley boys are a force to reckon with!
June 20, 2016
This is definitely my least favorite lauren dane book and it makes me really sad to say negative things when i love her as an author so much (and rereading the Brown sibling series finally gave me the courage to go get my nips pierced). So for the first half or so of this book I just really really didn't like it. Like so much so I didn't pick it up for about three days to finally finish. At first it was the writing. It was oddly repetitive. I think I counted five references to Natalie as "Ezra's brother's girlfriend" in the first twenty pages. That was annoying on two levels. First, yeah they're dating but that's hardly the only or even the best way to describe Nat...how about she's Tuesday's best friend? Second holy moly the repetitiveness of it. It happened with other things too, a lyric from their song was repeated three or four times over a fairly short period and several places were confusingly written, seemed inconsistent with what i know of the characters (ezra mentions playing with nieces and nephews at christmas but at that point only vaughn has kids and they're both girls), or there was one really weird sentence that doesn't get explained until the near the end like a 100 pages later so you're sitting there going how in the world did you almost let your mother shoot up so you could get high? But honestly my main issue for the first half of the book is how every single character treated the vaughn and kelly situation. It super skeezed me out that literally no one seemed to see a problem and was actually encouraging him to go after his newly engaged ex. Don't get me wrong I like vaughn and he deserves happy ever after but you don't get to decide you don't wan't someone then as soon as they find happiness with someone else change your mind. Telling them how you feel is one thing, but actively pursuing someone who is engaged makes you a homewrecker in my book and I find it morally reprehensible. To make matters worse was all the talk about Kelly being "Vaughn's woman"...like um no she's not and she hasn't been for awhile for me it crossed that line between sweet possessiveness and creepy control the way they talked about it was like Kelly belonged to him and how dare she get engaged and of course you should go get her back even though you freely admit you might just want her because someone else "has her" *gag*. How about Kelly's a fucking goddess for taking care of the kids while you played rock star and never taking job opportunities so the kids could stay close...but god forbid she find happiness with someone else. And they also brought up the whole "do you want some other man raising your kids" argument which also annoyed me a lot. Just because she's getting married doesn't mean she's stealing the kids and you'll never see them again. Vaughn's still their father they don't live that far he'll see them just as much with the new marriage and everyone acknowledges the new guy adores the kid and vice versa but god forbid children have another loving influence in their life *the horror*. It utterly fazes me that literally no character is like hey maybe you should just let kelly do her thing and be happy?
Alright now that that rant is over I can come back to the actual characters in this book. So after several days of not even be able to think about picking this book back up I decided I needed to finish it and get it over with so I could move on to the other dane books I bought thatll hopefully be more in line with all her other work. I actually got into the story for a little bit and found myself enjoying it. Then I realized I only enjoyed the scenes with the amusing secondary characters. Sharon was my favorite thing about this book, followed by the animals who each had distinct personalities, and finally Tuesday's parent's. By the end I realized that while these two both had some major issues I never really felt the drama of it. Like Tuesday says oh I feel guilty about feeling this way about someone not my dead husband. Then someone says hey don't feel guilty and she's just like ok and goes about her daily life til the next time it gets brought up. I'm not commenting on whether she should or shouldn't feel guilty mind you but I never actually believed that she did because she only ever said it she never showed it. For most of the book ezra was the same. Oh deep dark broody addict riddled past that literally no one but me even acknowledges anymore but I'm gonna keep bringing it up more or less for no reason at all because...emotions? I just never really felt gutted and sad for him the way I would expect to for a Dane character. Then he started pissing me off. I like Tuesday too much so i'm gonna see how long I can go without seeing her to make sure she's not like heroin...wait what?! But does he ever tell Tuesday how he feels? Lord no he just jerks her around going weeks without seeing her because...well i don't even know why but its an asshole thing to do. Frankly these two were totally independent of each other, neither really seemed to share their issues/pressing problems with each other until it was critical mass. They could be sweet together but I didn't really see them as a couple as much as sex buddies with a hint of friendship. The drama with Tuesday's ex inlaws was so petty and anticlimactic I don't even understand why it was included. The sex scenes were solid as are all by this author but it was missing that zing that the others have because even though i might not always love the characters (though they usually get me on a second or fifth read) I always believe in the couples and their chemistry.
Now for the one thing I really truly liked with no qualifications. A lot of reviewers didn't like this as a portrayal of an interracial romance, maybe its my white privilege or something but I think it was actually perfectly handled. I love that Dane didn't make a huge deal out of the fact that it was interracial. Tuesday's black Ezra's white we all move on. I like that she treated it like it was just as normal as a non mixed race couple and didn't feel the need to spend a bunch of extra time on the fact that Tuesday wasn't white like the other heroines. To me it makes it less of an issue that the writing, other than use of descriptors, is largely color blind. She didn't shy away from racism or people's attitude's towards mixed couples it actually comes up several times, is acknowledged as an awful societal thing that exists, and then it moves on because as god awful as it is you can't fixed every fucked up thing in the world. Racists will probably always exist and of course you should stamp it out where possible but you should also recognize that you can't fix stupid or blind hatred and not let it ruin your life. SO for whatever my opinion matters i really like that an interracial relationship is treated the same as one that's not because to me that says equality more than going out of the way to make it more prominent.
Bottom line: I'm tapping out of this series. I loved the first but this one was not as a whole enjoyable and other than it's bare bones didn't feel much like the Dane novels i'm accustomed to. Plus the premise of the next book totally skeezes me out. But I have the lush (tart?) series to hopefully enjoy next so onward I press
Alright now that that rant is over I can come back to the actual characters in this book. So after several days of not even be able to think about picking this book back up I decided I needed to finish it and get it over with so I could move on to the other dane books I bought thatll hopefully be more in line with all her other work. I actually got into the story for a little bit and found myself enjoying it. Then I realized I only enjoyed the scenes with the amusing secondary characters. Sharon was my favorite thing about this book, followed by the animals who each had distinct personalities, and finally Tuesday's parent's. By the end I realized that while these two both had some major issues I never really felt the drama of it. Like Tuesday says oh I feel guilty about feeling this way about someone not my dead husband. Then someone says hey don't feel guilty and she's just like ok and goes about her daily life til the next time it gets brought up. I'm not commenting on whether she should or shouldn't feel guilty mind you but I never actually believed that she did because she only ever said it she never showed it. For most of the book ezra was the same. Oh deep dark broody addict riddled past that literally no one but me even acknowledges anymore but I'm gonna keep bringing it up more or less for no reason at all because...emotions? I just never really felt gutted and sad for him the way I would expect to for a Dane character. Then he started pissing me off. I like Tuesday too much so i'm gonna see how long I can go without seeing her to make sure she's not like heroin...wait what?! But does he ever tell Tuesday how he feels? Lord no he just jerks her around going weeks without seeing her because...well i don't even know why but its an asshole thing to do. Frankly these two were totally independent of each other, neither really seemed to share their issues/pressing problems with each other until it was critical mass. They could be sweet together but I didn't really see them as a couple as much as sex buddies with a hint of friendship. The drama with Tuesday's ex inlaws was so petty and anticlimactic I don't even understand why it was included. The sex scenes were solid as are all by this author but it was missing that zing that the others have because even though i might not always love the characters (though they usually get me on a second or fifth read) I always believe in the couples and their chemistry.
Now for the one thing I really truly liked with no qualifications. A lot of reviewers didn't like this as a portrayal of an interracial romance, maybe its my white privilege or something but I think it was actually perfectly handled. I love that Dane didn't make a huge deal out of the fact that it was interracial. Tuesday's black Ezra's white we all move on. I like that she treated it like it was just as normal as a non mixed race couple and didn't feel the need to spend a bunch of extra time on the fact that Tuesday wasn't white like the other heroines. To me it makes it less of an issue that the writing, other than use of descriptors, is largely color blind. She didn't shy away from racism or people's attitude's towards mixed couples it actually comes up several times, is acknowledged as an awful societal thing that exists, and then it moves on because as god awful as it is you can't fixed every fucked up thing in the world. Racists will probably always exist and of course you should stamp it out where possible but you should also recognize that you can't fix stupid or blind hatred and not let it ruin your life. SO for whatever my opinion matters i really like that an interracial relationship is treated the same as one that's not because to me that says equality more than going out of the way to make it more prominent.
Bottom line: I'm tapping out of this series. I loved the first but this one was not as a whole enjoyable and other than it's bare bones didn't feel much like the Dane novels i'm accustomed to. Plus the premise of the next book totally skeezes me out. But I have the lush (tart?) series to hopefully enjoy next so onward I press
July 22, 2017
I'm a huge fan of this author and she did not disappoint. This was a very smartly written story.
March 31, 2023
Tuesday Eastwood finally has her life sorted out just so long as men are kept for sex and only sex...until she meets musician and rancher Ezra Hurley in this captivating contemporary romance.
Tuesday and Ezra are faced with an insatiable craving for each other that won’t be satisfied until they are consumed body and soul and the reader’s hearts are captured by the turmoil that threatens to keep them apart. The chemistry is hot and primal and the sex scenes are sizzling but both Ezra and Tuesday have emotional issues from the past that wreak havoc with the relationship building part of this romance. Strong, compelling characters grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning while the steady to fast paced and smooth flowing plot captivates readers with lots of suspense, turmoil and romance.
Emotional turbulence and expectation builds lots of tension throughout the story as Ezra and Tuesday struggle to reconcile their pasts with the present so that they can reach for their future and along with some major life decisions, there is some ex-family members causing chaos and upsetting the tenuous emotional balance they are striving for. Well written scenes and details bring the story to life and the well-orchestrated events draw the reader in and guarantee that the reader becomes completely immersed in the story.
Lauren Dane’s gift for bringing her characters to life along with their stories ensures that the characters become real, hearts are captured and that the readers wants to know every last detail. While they both have different issues, Ezra and Tuesday’s story takes readers along on their emotional journey of hope and the courage it takes to overcome some sensitive and heartbreaking emotional problems in order to reach for that happily ever after that everyone deserves.
Tuesday and Ezra are faced with an insatiable craving for each other that won’t be satisfied until they are consumed body and soul and the reader’s hearts are captured by the turmoil that threatens to keep them apart. The chemistry is hot and primal and the sex scenes are sizzling but both Ezra and Tuesday have emotional issues from the past that wreak havoc with the relationship building part of this romance. Strong, compelling characters grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning while the steady to fast paced and smooth flowing plot captivates readers with lots of suspense, turmoil and romance.
Emotional turbulence and expectation builds lots of tension throughout the story as Ezra and Tuesday struggle to reconcile their pasts with the present so that they can reach for their future and along with some major life decisions, there is some ex-family members causing chaos and upsetting the tenuous emotional balance they are striving for. Well written scenes and details bring the story to life and the well-orchestrated events draw the reader in and guarantee that the reader becomes completely immersed in the story.
Lauren Dane’s gift for bringing her characters to life along with their stories ensures that the characters become real, hearts are captured and that the readers wants to know every last detail. While they both have different issues, Ezra and Tuesday’s story takes readers along on their emotional journey of hope and the courage it takes to overcome some sensitive and heartbreaking emotional problems in order to reach for that happily ever after that everyone deserves.
November 11, 2014
Lawsy! Put yourself on lockdown, the Hurleys are back!
This time we are treated to the purely sinful temptation that is Ezra Hurley. Currently running the family ranch, this former rock star has a tortured past of addiction that he wears like it's his skin. Unable to let go of how badly he disappointed his family and let himself down he is really tortured and therefore... delicious!
Of course we need an equally hurt woman and whom else but Tuesday Eastwood would qualify? A widow whose life fell apart five years ago and now is marginally satisfied just using men for sex. These two have been striking sparks off each other since the first moment they locked eyes in the previous Hurley book and I've been dying to see where this wild ride would go.
Needless to say I was not disappointed. There is enough angst to keep your emotions engaged while the steaminess will keep you riveted to the pages. From Ezra's pet pig (adorable!) to revisiting the rest of the characters from the previous book The Best Kind of Trouble (well hello there, Paddy Hurley!) there is a veritable feast of goodness happening.
Ezra is all man. Tattooed, muscular and in charge. Tuesday is all woman. Feisty, sharp but capable of being meltingly sweet for the right man.
Is Ezra that man?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lauren Dane really gets how to write the type of family I love to read. If you've read and enjoyed her previous books about the Brown Siblings you will definitely want to stage dive right into this great new series.
But make sure you bring plenty of ice water and maybe a fan... you've been warned!
This time we are treated to the purely sinful temptation that is Ezra Hurley. Currently running the family ranch, this former rock star has a tortured past of addiction that he wears like it's his skin. Unable to let go of how badly he disappointed his family and let himself down he is really tortured and therefore... delicious!
Of course we need an equally hurt woman and whom else but Tuesday Eastwood would qualify? A widow whose life fell apart five years ago and now is marginally satisfied just using men for sex. These two have been striking sparks off each other since the first moment they locked eyes in the previous Hurley book and I've been dying to see where this wild ride would go.
Needless to say I was not disappointed. There is enough angst to keep your emotions engaged while the steaminess will keep you riveted to the pages. From Ezra's pet pig (adorable!) to revisiting the rest of the characters from the previous book The Best Kind of Trouble (well hello there, Paddy Hurley!) there is a veritable feast of goodness happening.
Ezra is all man. Tattooed, muscular and in charge. Tuesday is all woman. Feisty, sharp but capable of being meltingly sweet for the right man.
Is Ezra that man?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lauren Dane really gets how to write the type of family I love to read. If you've read and enjoyed her previous books about the Brown Siblings you will definitely want to stage dive right into this great new series.
But make sure you bring plenty of ice water and maybe a fan... you've been warned!
February 1, 2015
I love the Hurley Brother's and I can't wait to read about Vaughan. Ezra Hurley has a very dark past he had a very public addiction to heroin having pasted out on stage during a concert, which resulted in him and his brother Paddy the lead singer of their band getting into a fight on stage. Ezra has spent the last five years making amends to those that he has hurt, he still writes, produces and plays on the albums with his brothers and he does a couple of live shows with them. Ezra is also a rancher like his father. Ezra doesn't think that he deserves to be happy. Tuesday lost her husband to cancer five years ago and she doesn't think that she deserves to be happy also, because Eric her husband is dead and she is not. This book was full of hot sex scenes and I loved it. I also liked the supporting cast in this book Sharon Hurley is a force to be reckoned with I have never heard of a mother offering to shot dope with her son to prove a point and (I'm a drug counselor). I also liked Diana Tuesdays mother because she told her daughter the truth it was ok to love someone else. This was a interracial love story and I liked how Ms. Dane wrote the prejudice that Tuesday went through at the feed store and how Ezra's father Michael handled it and how Ezra felt about it. From the first book of this series I felt that it was something very special about these two and I was so glad that they got their happy ending from dealing with each of their fears to her ex in laws. This book was very well written (read) as I listened to it on audio. If you are a fan of hot rockers with the erotic twist you will like this series. I can not wait to read about Kelly and Vaughan Hurley.
December 16, 2014
This is one of those stories that reads so realistic (If you run in the circles of rock star ranchers that is) you just fall in love with the hero, heroine, their friends and families. You want to believe people like this exists balancing out those *holes you run into, hopefully not on a daily basis. Erza is a strong alpha male who thrives on being the go to guy, captain save’em and a lil freaky dominant between the sheets he was a perfect match for the confident Tuesday.
Tuesday a widow had some realistic struggles to live with, dealing with falling in love with a man after losing who she thought was the only love of her life (the book starts several years later). Erza also has some issues he is dealing with. He is having issues accepting the love he feels for Tuesday which feels to much like an addiction to him, something he has struggled with and overcome.
Erza and Tuesday are a hot grown couple, they both have things that make them an ideal match and able to understand each other, but their past issues make for good reading. What is a romance without some conflict? Erza has massive commitment he just does not want to be that guy he was, that guy who was a threat to his family because of drugs. Even though he knows Tuesday is the woman he wants ( I know over the top right!) but it is well done, I promise, you can hold me to it. We get to see the two deal with each other lifestyles, families, baggage all the things you would in a normal relationship but this is a romance so it is a little more over the top and fun.
Straight to the Swagger: If you have ever wanted to try a rock star, rancher, IR romance with a little BDSM
Tuesday a widow had some realistic struggles to live with, dealing with falling in love with a man after losing who she thought was the only love of her life (the book starts several years later). Erza also has some issues he is dealing with. He is having issues accepting the love he feels for Tuesday which feels to much like an addiction to him, something he has struggled with and overcome.
Erza and Tuesday are a hot grown couple, they both have things that make them an ideal match and able to understand each other, but their past issues make for good reading. What is a romance without some conflict? Erza has massive commitment he just does not want to be that guy he was, that guy who was a threat to his family because of drugs. Even though he knows Tuesday is the woman he wants ( I know over the top right!) but it is well done, I promise, you can hold me to it. We get to see the two deal with each other lifestyles, families, baggage all the things you would in a normal relationship but this is a romance so it is a little more over the top and fun.
Straight to the Swagger: If you have ever wanted to try a rock star, rancher, IR romance with a little BDSM
March 22, 2017
Confession: rock stars/singers/musicians rank somewhere between accountants and customer retention reps on my list of sexy jobs. I realize I am in the minority on that, so I usually just skip these types of books. I also cringe when I run into New Adult speak... all the "hot", "damaged", "broken" stuff gets monotonous.
I got this book on a humbug and almost quit in chapter two for the previously stated hang ups. I am really glad that I didn't. Even with all the industry stuff, the plot worked well and the main characters were interesting. Ezra and Tuesday were a great couple and Lauren Dane really made them feel inevitable. They had major issues and lots of angst (thankfully the NA speak was more about Tuesday's sense of humor) that felt natural. And I loved that they had real friends! His brothers and Natalie were used to great effect in getting the reader into their heads and calling them out on the crappy ways they tried to handle their blossoming relationship.
The book is long and a few things happen that seem a wee bit over the top (Eric's parents at the gallery!) but this was a solid read. I would read it again.
Also, Dane wrote a novel with a female lead who is also black. Tuesday's race is a part of her without defining her. She is a woman that most other women could relate to and sympathize with. Dane doesn't ignore the issues that come with IR dating but she doesn't harp either. Thanks for doing your research, Ms. Dane! That was as awesome as it was refreshing.
I got this book on a humbug and almost quit in chapter two for the previously stated hang ups. I am really glad that I didn't. Even with all the industry stuff, the plot worked well and the main characters were interesting. Ezra and Tuesday were a great couple and Lauren Dane really made them feel inevitable. They had major issues and lots of angst (thankfully the NA speak was more about Tuesday's sense of humor) that felt natural. And I loved that they had real friends! His brothers and Natalie were used to great effect in getting the reader into their heads and calling them out on the crappy ways they tried to handle their blossoming relationship.
The book is long and a few things happen that seem a wee bit over the top (Eric's parents at the gallery!) but this was a solid read. I would read it again.
Also, Dane wrote a novel with a female lead who is also black. Tuesday's race is a part of her without defining her. She is a woman that most other women could relate to and sympathize with. Dane doesn't ignore the issues that come with IR dating but she doesn't harp either. Thanks for doing your research, Ms. Dane! That was as awesome as it was refreshing.
November 2, 2014
The little that we saw of Tuesday and Ezra in the last book I was very much looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint.
I loved that Ezra and Tuesday didn't fight their attraction. Yes, the did take things slow when they first met, but it seemed like once they made the choice to start something it was full steam ahead. Each of them had issues from their past that played into their present. It was interesting that it took them so long to talk about then and not dance around them. Once they really started to talk and let the other know their fears it strengthened things for them. Even towards the end when Ezra started to panic Tuesday let him know she would be there for him, but he needed to get his crap together and really pick, she had to know he really wanted her. I knew in the end Ezra would pick her, but hated the hurt things brought.
I loved how both Ezra and Tuesday's families played into this one. Each came from a boisterous family with close ties, ones that gave Ezra and Tuesday a great sense of self. It was interesting to see how the families accepted this new person into their folds. I really wish that we would have gotten more with both families interacting, because really it would be so very funny!
I loved that Ezra and Tuesday didn't fight their attraction. Yes, the did take things slow when they first met, but it seemed like once they made the choice to start something it was full steam ahead. Each of them had issues from their past that played into their present. It was interesting that it took them so long to talk about then and not dance around them. Once they really started to talk and let the other know their fears it strengthened things for them. Even towards the end when Ezra started to panic Tuesday let him know she would be there for him, but he needed to get his crap together and really pick, she had to know he really wanted her. I knew in the end Ezra would pick her, but hated the hurt things brought.
I loved how both Ezra and Tuesday's families played into this one. Each came from a boisterous family with close ties, ones that gave Ezra and Tuesday a great sense of self. It was interesting to see how the families accepted this new person into their folds. I really wish that we would have gotten more with both families interacting, because really it would be so very funny!
December 7, 2014
*Sigh*—another DNF for me this week.
I miss the Lauren Dane who wrote The Brown Siblings, which is one of my favorite series. This book felt as though it was written by a different author.
One of my biggest pet peeves is the feeling of being told a story. And that is how I felt throughout the parts of this book I made myself read through. When I am reading, I want to escape my real world. I want to sink into my stories. There is nothing like feeling I am right there amongst the pages with them. I want to be the proverbial fly on the wall. I want lots of feels and vivid visuals. I want to experience the characters connection and chemistry, not be told or convinced they have it. I did not experience any of that with this Ezra and Tuesday because of this I just could not sink into the story enough to connect with either character.
Thank you, Harlequin, for a complimentary copy of Broken Open.
I miss the Lauren Dane who wrote The Brown Siblings, which is one of my favorite series. This book felt as though it was written by a different author.
One of my biggest pet peeves is the feeling of being told a story. And that is how I felt throughout the parts of this book I made myself read through. When I am reading, I want to escape my real world. I want to sink into my stories. There is nothing like feeling I am right there amongst the pages with them. I want to be the proverbial fly on the wall. I want lots of feels and vivid visuals. I want to experience the characters connection and chemistry, not be told or convinced they have it. I did not experience any of that with this Ezra and Tuesday because of this I just could not sink into the story enough to connect with either character.
Thank you, Harlequin, for a complimentary copy of Broken Open.
November 5, 2014
Broken Open is the second book in the Hurley Boys series by Lauren Dane. As in the first book, Ms. Dane was able to completely envelop me with her writing.
This novel focuses on the eldest Hurley brother Ezra, a recovering heroin addict and Tuesday, a woman whose life was destroyed five years earlier. Both tortured by their past, they meet and an all-consuming craving for each other, far beyond chemistry, totally enraptures them.
Can Ezra fully forgive himself for the pain he caused his loved ones in order to move forward with his life and can Tuesday risk opening her heart to love again?
A remarkable story!
I loved how both Ezra's and Tuesday's families were involved in the story and look forward to reading more about them in the next book.
This novel focuses on the eldest Hurley brother Ezra, a recovering heroin addict and Tuesday, a woman whose life was destroyed five years earlier. Both tortured by their past, they meet and an all-consuming craving for each other, far beyond chemistry, totally enraptures them.
Can Ezra fully forgive himself for the pain he caused his loved ones in order to move forward with his life and can Tuesday risk opening her heart to love again?
A remarkable story!
I loved how both Ezra's and Tuesday's families were involved in the story and look forward to reading more about them in the next book.
November 28, 2015
After enjoying the first book of The Hurley Boys series, The Best Kind of Trouble, Broken Open was a downer. This book could have been cut half short. Story was dragging on for too long.
Don't get me wrong, the characters are likeable. Too much of a good thing usually doesn't work out though.
Don't get me wrong, the characters are likeable. Too much of a good thing usually doesn't work out though.
October 4, 2014
Received an ARC for review
Well....Erza is smoking hawt and Tuesday is beautiful. They are smoking together. But oh my word, all the angst from them individual and together just made this drag and drag and drag. The best part was when Tina got stopped. I hope Kelly and Vaughn's story moves a little quicker.
Well....Erza is smoking hawt and Tuesday is beautiful. They are smoking together. But oh my word, all the angst from them individual and together just made this drag and drag and drag. The best part was when Tina got stopped. I hope Kelly and Vaughn's story moves a little quicker.
dnf
December 18, 2021You know how books are supposed to grab your interest with the first sentence/paragraph? This book missed that memo. It thought I'd care that Tuesday's workday was over and that's when she noticed how cold it was *falls asleep*. The writing is really...juvenile. And just plain bad, honestly. I read some of it to Andy and he asked me why I wanted to hurt him. So there's that.
January 15, 2015
I DNF'd this book because it just wasn't for me. I'm not rating it because I think it's probably a good book and/or a great read... for someone else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews