Too Beautiful to Break by Tessa Bailey

Sep 10, 2017 Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Sometimes the right thing was the most painful. Sometimes it gutted you and ruined you forever, so a single second wouldn’t pass without a reminder. Sage knew that lesson all too well.

Ever since the very first time we met Belmont, I've been fascinated by his quiet intensity. Ever since we get introduced to his and Sage's somewhat...borderline dysfunctional relationship, I've been anticipating their story with a rabid sort of glee. But I was also afraid. See when you anticipate a cert ...more

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Sep 24, 2017 Sabrina rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-edelweiss-netgalley, contemporary-romance

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Amazon US * Amazon UK
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3.5 Stars

I've been with this series since the beginning and it just keeps making me want more from these characters. Especially Belmont and Sage who had my attention instantly and I've been secretly rooting for them this whole time.

Belmont and Sage complimented each other in a completely unexpected way. They both had issues but they were always there for one another when that happened. I really liked that Belmont could be broody and standoffi ...more

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Sep 27, 2017 Gi's Spot Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, best-book-boyfriend, amazing-hero, amazing-secondary-characters, amazing-heroine, auto-read-author, faithful-like-crazy, no-cheating, loved-how-he-loved-her, steamy-hot

4.5 'My Heartbeat/Love of a Lifetime' Stars

ALL THE FEELS!!! Seriously, Tessa Bailey just wrecked me with these two's UNBREAKABLE love story! Belmont and Sage's broken souls stole my breath and made me cry like a baby - interrupted by so seriously needed fanning myself due their sexual tension and sexy times, it is Tessa Bailey, acfter all - and proved how family and soulmates' love and support is the only healing possible! Loved really conquered ALL in this epic ending for this amazing series!

B ...more

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Jul 19, 2017 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, tears-sniff, dirty-talker, friends-to-lovers, blue-collar-hero, all-the-swoons

5 Unbreakable Stars!!!

Tessa Bailey out-did herself with this book. This is the most emotional Tessa Bailey book. It’s not sad. It’s beautiful. It’s EPIC.

Tessa has been teasing me with Belmont & Sage throughout this series, feeding me little lines of crack to keep me addicted and coming back for more!! I couldn’t get enough of their weirdness/attachment issues. I felt like I waited forever for these two to be together, but the wait was worth it because this book was every bit of perfect.

Belmont ...more

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Sep 11, 2017 Geri Reads rated it really liked it

“There’s never been anyone like you, Belmont. There never will be again. How am I that I get to love you?”

Aaaahhhhh! Belmont, Belmont, Belmont. His book has been one of my most anticipated reads this year ever since he was introduced as the oldest and grumpiest Clarkson sibling in Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarksons series. He is also one of Bailey’s most complex heroes to date and his “will they, won’t they” relationship with Sage since the first book only whetted my appetite. And this b ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Bubu rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf, read-2017, cr, 1-star

DNF @ 67%

There is a scene in the first book of this series, Too Hot to Handle. It's the first encounter between Sage and Belmont, main characters of this book.

Let me put it this way: I read the scene and thought: "I wish I had had experienced something like that as a woman just once in my life." I was a goner, I was swooning, slobbering, wanting Belmont and Sage's story RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Admittedly, I've been extremely busy since I got back, no time to read until I go to bed dead tired. So my r ...more

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Oct 30, 2021 Syndi rated it liked it

I recently taking a huge liking to Miss Bailey's books. Especially her recent books. So I dig into my old books and find Too Beautiful to Break. I have not read the precious books in this series. Ad I guess that is the problem.

I am lost, to be honest. I am not expecting the story is cold. I do not hate it either since the sex is hot. The hero is also possessive and brooding.

I juat do not feel a strong liking to this book. Sad!

3 stars ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 Stacey is Sassy rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, cranky-hero, steamy, tear-jerker, the-good-guy-hero, cont-series, heroine-drove-me-batty, wee-bit-dark, sweet

Too hard to rate…I'm allocating a halfer

***3.5 Stars***

Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t commit. Bloody Hell!! Up until the 63% mark, I was convinced that this was my favourite in the series and it would be a 4 or 5 star read. My love for Too Beautiful to Break plummeted so fast that I contemplated giving up. I was squinting and scowling, crossing my arms in frustration but I knew that I was invested in Belmont’s happiness. I persevered until 75% and at that point, I was cursing Tessa Bailey to the ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 Alyssa rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-releases

Eeeeehhhhhhhhhhh.

It's not that this book was bad? Just... not entirely for me. It was okay. I am puzzled though.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Too Beautiful to Break by Tessa Bailey
Book Four of the Romancing the Clarksons series
Publisher: Forever Romance
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

A love of a lifetime . . .

Leaving Belmont Clarkson is the hardest thing Sage Alexander has ever done. From the moment they met ...more

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Aug 24, 2017 Shayna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-review, read-in-2017, top-pick, genre-contemporary-romance, september-2017, author-tessa-bailey, top-pick-2017, series-romancing-the-clarksons

NO!!! It can’t be over! It just can’t! I’m FAR too invested in these character’s lives! I’m going to need to have a second generation series soon, Ms. Bailey, so get to work woman! But for real, this book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It’s EVERYTHING that I wanted it to be and SO MUCH MORE! I laughed. I cried. I swooned and then I cried some more. TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK was one of the most heart-wrenching, sexy, sweet, and romantic romances I’ve read all year. Ms. Bailey just took my heart and ran

NO!!! It can’t be over! It just can’t! I’m FAR too invested in these character’s lives! I’m going to need to have a second generation series soon, Ms. Bailey, so get to work woman! But for real, this book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It’s EVERYTHING that I wanted it to be and SO MUCH MORE! I laughed. I cried. I swooned and then I cried some more. TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK was one of the most heart-wrenching, sexy, sweet, and romantic romances I’ve read all year. Ms. Bailey just took my heart and ran with it, and I don’t even want it back. It belongs to Belmont Clarkson. It will ALWAYS belong to Belmont Clarkson!

”We’re two halves of a whole, you and I, Sage. I know there are things we need to work on. Me, mostly. I need work. But I know your heart, sweetest girl. You wouldn’t have given yourself over to me like that if you didn’t believe. In me. In us.”

My God! If I would have just read this quote before reading the book, I would have been an absolute goner. My heart ached all throughout and by the end, I was a MESS...an emotionally drained MESS! But, I wouldn’t have had it any other way because I knew going into this that Belmont and Sage were going to WRECK ME in the best way possible. Not only was TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK a TOP PICK of the year for me, it was my absolute FAVORITE of the series, and that is saying A LOT because I freaking LOVED every single book in this series, but Belmont and Sage held a piece of my heart from the very beginning.

These characters are EVERYTHING! The feels you will experience are EVERYTHING! The writing is OUT OF THIS WORLD spectacular! There is not a single critique I would give about this book. Tessa Bailey continues to amaze the hell out of me with each new release and with Belmont’s story...well, she just kicked it up to a whole other level! I’m so freaking excited to see what fans of the series think of this book. I just know they will be blown away. I will always root for these characters and they will always have a special place in my heart. Even though this series has come to an end, I will NEVER FORGET each and every single character that I’ve met along the way. Not only do I highly recommend this book, this author, and this entire series, I think it’s a MUST READ for every romance junkie out there.

...more

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Sep 22, 2017 Mindy Lou's Book Review rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

What an incredibly intense read! Book 4 continues with Belmont and Sage making the journey to New York for the Polar Plunge. This was Belmont's mothers dying wish, for all four of her children to do this together. They all started out on the road trip and with each book, a sibling battled their demons and found love.

It seems Tessa Bailey saved the most wounded for last. Belmont and Sage both have so many demons they are dealing with. They've dealt, up to this point, in a co-dependency that Sage ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Simply Love Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: simply-love-sharon

To say I’ve been waiting for this story is a bit of an understatement, I honestly really NEEDED this story even though I knew it was going to spell the end of Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarksons series. We’ve seen this couple interact during this series, there is no doubt there is some kind of connection, but no one, not even the two people involved have figured out what is going on between them and with time running out, desperate times leads to desperate measures. A poignant, emotional jour

To say I’ve been waiting for this story is a bit of an understatement, I honestly really NEEDED this story even though I knew it was going to spell the end of Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarksons series. We’ve seen this couple interact during this series, there is no doubt there is some kind of connection, but no one, not even the two people involved have figured out what is going on between them and with time running out, desperate times leads to desperate measures. A poignant, emotional journey filled with past regrets and secrets and healing that only comes from letting go and letting love in, Too Beautiful To Break is a touching and beautiful love story and Ms. Bailey absolutely saved the best book for last in this series.

Belmont Clarkson, the oldest of the Clarkson siblings, is determined to fulfill his mother’s dying with for him and his three siblings to jump into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s day at Coney Island and although three of his siblings have found love and are now all over the United States, he plans to meet them there before he makes the drive back to San Diego with Sage Alexander, his sister Peggy’s best friend, and the only person who has ever been able to make him feel calm and whole. She is his heart, but he knows she is too good for him, too pure, so he allows her comfort, he gives it back but that is all. When Sage insists he take her to the train station so she can go home, where she grew up, not San Diego, both of their lives are changed forever in more ways than one.

I honestly don’t want to say too much about this story because I think all the twist, turns, and backgrounds on both Belmont and Sage need to be read, digested, and absorbed. Both these characters have baggage that has made them into the people they are today. Until Belmont met Sage he was barely getting by in his life; meeting Sage made him want to be a better man, get his act together, work hard and be able to provide for her when HE was ready to be that man. Sage was happy to help Belmont, but as time went on she began to realize there was something all too familiar about their relationship and she had to make changes in her life. When things get really bad, the rest of the Clarksons are there to see them through and give back to Belmont who helped all of them when they needed it the most.

This is not a pretty story, these two people overcome a lot of obstacles to be together, but the steps they take, the trust they place in each other as they work through it all had me holding my breath and turning pages as fast as I could read. The emotions I experienced in this book, the tears I cried both sad and happy, and the overwhelming sense of peace I had at the end made me realize I was reading an expertly crafted and truly exceptional story. Well done, Ms. Bailey, well done!

...more

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Jul 22, 2017 Lacey (laceybooklovers) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, adult, arc, review-copy

Ohh, Belmont. <333 He's one of my favorite Tessa Bailey heroes. So happy to finally read his story!

Review to come!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review. ...more

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Jul 19, 2017 Mandy rated it it was amazing

This book was on a whole new level of epic proportions. I can't believe this road trip is finally over, but wow what a fantastic journey it has been. We hit the last leg of the Clarksons trip to Coney Island, where the siblings will jump into the ocean on New Years Day. All thanks to the dying wish of their mother Miriam. I was absolutely not prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and turns of Belmont and Sage's story. It's been building throughout the first three books, and the pay This book was on a whole new level of epic proportions. I can't believe this road trip is finally over, but wow what a fantastic journey it has been. We hit the last leg of the Clarksons trip to Coney Island, where the siblings will jump into the ocean on New Years Day. All thanks to the dying wish of their mother Miriam. I was absolutely not prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions, twists, and turns of Belmont and Sage's story. It's been building throughout the first three books, and the payoff was WELL worth the wait in this fourth and final book. Absolute magic.

Belmont is the strong silent type who is fighting so many internal demons he's not sure which way is up sometimes. Having a different father than his younger three siblings, and growing up witnessing his mothers sadness, has left him feeling incomplete. He also suffered a childhood trauma that he still hasn't recovered from. He has many secrets. Secrets that eat away and fuel the darkness inside him. His siblings rely on him and look to him for answers. He's the one who convinced them to go on this road trip, even though he wasn't sure of it himself. But he knew that their mother was up to something. He just has to wait and find out what it is....

In this last book we see Sage leaving Belmont to go home and handle her family's problems. She has her own secrets that she's been keeping. Of course that doesn't last very long before Belmont finds her and lets her know that he will stop at nothing to lighten her load. Up until now their need to hold each other has been platonic. Just two people helping to ease each other's burdens for a little while. Belmont held back his physical desires for more with Sage because he didn't know if she felt the same way. He didn't know that she was also benefiting from their situation....and that she desired him as well. Sage recognized the start to the unhealthy co-dependency that has formed over time. Relying on each other too much was a big problem. They both have to learn to handle their issues as individuals, and only then can they be strong together. Belmont gets to know the real Sage while in her hometown, and not just the perfect version he has in his mind. He also finds himself sharing his secrets with her. Lightening the load in his mind and heart as he speaks the words out loud to her.

This is an absolutely beautiful journey of growth and love and trust. Two people finding their own way, and becoming a stronger whole together. They are a force to be reckoned with, and this book hit every single feel possible. Bailey has taken her skills to an entire new universe with this one. She's just so clever. The plot twists and turns she kept throwing out were phenomenal. I did not see them coming. She deals with real life issues that are raw and heartbreaking, but so necessary. And it was so satisfying in the end. To have everything from all 4 books finally come full circle was magical. It was perfection. I feel so complete after finishing their story, and I'm so full of joy. I'm sad it's over, but the feeling of this family forming an unbreakable bond along this journey makes me so happy.

And let's not forget the show stealer--Miriam Clarkson. Her journal entries in each book were so powerful that she was the heart of this series. A wonderful woman who loved her children deeply and with all her might. She. Was. Fierce. I adore her. ...more

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Apr 26, 2017 Claire Louise¤°.¸¸.•´¯`» rated it liked it

I'm gonna stand in a corner and weep 3.5 stars

Two days later I'm writing my review and I'm still not sure how I'm going to word it other than I liked Too Beautiful to Break.

But I didn't love it as much as I expected and wanted to. I wanted to be so full of fizz and love for my Belmont ~~and Sage's~~ book that I would just speak all in tongues about how freaking fantabulous it was and I wished I could read it all over again.

I don't think I can write it without talking of spoilers, so you know... ...more

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Sep 29, 2017 Jo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: All romance fans!

Shelves: book-boyfriend, gr2017, mine, 4-5-stars, feel-good-read, books-i-love

Her breath on his skin was the only thing that had ever made him feel normal.

Finally the book I have been desperately wanting since the start of this series!!!

He was the only one of his kind. For some reason, he’d chosen her to crowd into corners, to worry about, to beg for eye contact. And now she had to destroy their connection to keep him alive.

Sage Alexander has been with the Clarkson siblings on their family road trip since the beginning and every mile has just brought her clos

Her breath on his skin was the only thing that had ever made him feel normal.

Finally the book I have been desperately wanting since the start of this series!!!

He was the only one of his kind. For some reason, he’d chosen her to crowd into corners, to worry about, to beg for eye contact. And now she had to destroy their connection to keep him alive.

Sage Alexander has been with the Clarkson siblings on their family road trip since the beginning and every mile has just brought her closer to Belmont Clarkson. But she’s known since the beginning that she couldn’t stay with him, no matter how much she wanted. The time has come to face her past, to pay her dues and there’s no way she can take him with him. Not if it meant him having to face his demons and she refuses to hurt him like that.

“You forgot something important, though, Sage. I have no greater weakness or strength than you.”

Belmont has always known that he wasn’t normal. His reactions to his surrounding and others has always been different. Until he met Sage, never has he felt more like himself, more like he’s exactly where he’s always been meant to be. And when she leaves him, he has no choice but to follow her, because she belongs to him, just like he belongs to her. And he knows her well enough to know she’s been keeping secrets and he’ll do anything to save her, even if it means sacrificing himself.

What he felt in her presence was so big and demanding, he didn’t know how to stay put in the midst of it and keep himself contained.

I can’t even begin to convey just how much I love the strong and quiet Belmont. He’s so intense about everything, especially about Sage, and I just wanted to wrap myself in him and never let go. He’s also so very broken and since broken men are like catnip to me, I just loved everything about him. How protective he was over his siblings and Sage and how he would willingly sacrifice all of him to keep them safe and happy. His devotion to Sage was amazing. For him there was no one but her and it made me melt into a puddle of goo.

“There’s never been anyone like you, Belmont. There never will be again. How lucky am I that I get to love you?”

I loved the kind-hearted Sage and how protective she was over Belmont. I also liked the fact that she wanted to make things better for her parents despite the fact that for the most part they really didn’t deserve it.

“I covet my right to fear for every hair on your head.”
“I never asked you to,” she half sobbed, half whispered.
“You did.” He reached across the console, his fingers hovering just above her thigh, branding the skin beneath her dress. “Your heart asked mine. And mine was already begging.”

For three books now I have been waiting impatiently for Sage and Belmont to finally admit their feelings and give into the chemistry between them that was driving me so crazy! The bond between them had so much depth and need that at times I actually felt uncomfortable seeing it, like I was intruding which was very strange as I’ve never had that reaction to a romance novel, but I also loved it. And damn when they finally give into their passion – wow, let’s just say the queen of dirty-talk really outdid herself with this one ;-)

This has been and OUTSTANDING SERIES and I loved each and every book. Oh how I love this series, these four siblings that needed this road-trip to find their paths back to each other and finding their perfect HEA *happy sigh*

Tessa Bailey is one of my all time favorite romance authors. She writes the best dirty-talk with scorching romance, fantastic characters and so much emotion. I can’t recommend her and this series enough. READ IT.

...more

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Sep 03, 2016 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017, contemporary, contemporary-romance, part-of-a-series, tessa-bailey, september-2017

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

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Too Beautiful To Break is hands down my favorite of the Romancing the Clarksons Series. THIS BOOK was utter perfection. It was EVERYTHING you could have wanted from a Tessa Bailey book. It had romance, passion, raw emotions and all the feels. As far as the characters, Belmont and Sage stole my heart!!!

Too Beautiful To Break was a perfect and fitting title for this book. It showcased how Belmont and Sage were two broken souls who were abs ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 1-Click Addict Support Group rated it really liked it

What I dream love should be…

After reading romance for a long, long time, my vision of love has changed over the years to encompass a lot more than the nuclear family. At the heart of any love though is respect, empathy, desire and supportiveness. Belmont and Sage have all these traits and more…

Sage is hiding something and instead of getting angry or defensive, Belmont is the opposite. He is determined to find out what is wrong, for himself but even more for Sage. He is relentless in his pursuit ...more

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Oct 07, 2017 Quirky Omega rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, romantic-erotica, road-trip, angst

Belmont and Sage are so intense, that they should get a room, cuddle and have sexy times, and leave us be. Seriously!
Belmont looked like a character with certain traits of autism, but then other times behaved just like and average, overdramatic romeo. And Sage went along with it with her own sweeter than sugar, innocent maiden behaviour.
Those two are perfect for each other, but not for me. And if you're allergic to melodramatic lovers, then you shouldn't pick this book up. ...more

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Sep 27, 2017 Jessa rated it really liked it

Shelves: dirty-talk, smut-holy-hell, new-adult, tall-one-loves-a-tiny, stoic-hero-of-my-dreams, rare-virgin-male, friends-to-lovers

So the smut is a 5 (unsurprising for Tessa Bailey, the master at this) but the storyline is barely a 3. My friend called it "four merciful stars" and I laughed at how true that was. I cringed and eye rolled for a good part of the unnecessary and fairly ridiculous plot running through it, but! I love Belmont and Sage together so much that I forgave the type of flaws that I'd normally have rated much lower.

God, this lady can write sex scenes! I can never be on her level. ...more

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Jul 24, 2017 Sherry rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

I was slayed by this book. Belmont( and of course Sage) were bigger than I could have imagined. What has been building in these last three books, has the stage set perfectly by Ms. Bailey to sweep you off your feet.

While you can read this on it's own, I truly think you need to submerse yourself into all things Clarkson and read from book one. It paints the map to each of them ( and their road trip) throughout each book. We get pieces of each sibling that shine through at the least expected mome ...more

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Oct 04, 2017 Nicole P rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: alpha, z-2017-challenge-addicts, friends-to-lovers, la-familia, z-2017-book-count-challenge

From the get-go Belmont Clarkson has been the story I wanted to read the most. He was this mysterious man who would silently guide and help his siblings. His relationship with Sage Alexander was strange but perfect at the same time. They needed each other...to the point that I question the codependency. At times it was too much. I felt the pressure of that need and both of them fed into it. Tessa Bailey really did put me through the ringer. I vacillated between being so damn angry, and then happ From the get-go Belmont Clarkson has been the story I wanted to read the most. He was this mysterious man who would silently guide and help his siblings. His relationship with Sage Alexander was strange but perfect at the same time. They needed each other...to the point that I question the codependency. At times it was too much. I felt the pressure of that need and both of them fed into it. Tessa Bailey really did put me through the ringer. I vacillated between being so damn angry, and then happy and then upset and then frustrated. As the book progresses you come to see why Belmont is the way he is and more importantly, if you've read the other books in the series, all of your questions are answered.

As for Sage...she bordered on getting on my last nerve. From the start of the family road-trip she knew she would have to leave Belmont behind to go home to help her parents. Growing up in her parents household was difficult and sad. She had parents who had a relationship of codependency, which was very similar to her relationship with Belmont. She returns home out of duty and guilt. Belmont being the man that he is follows her and the bonds of their relationship are tested.

Belmont for me was a unique and interesting character. His intensity, devotion and alpha-ness made me love him instantly. He was a man who knew his weakness and did everything in his power to make himself worthy. As for Sage, I felt that she was at times selfish and too forgiving. (view spoiler)As much as I didn't think sage deserved Belmont I couldn't envision anyone else for him.

As usual, Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job. This series was enjoyable and kept me hooked. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. ...more

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Jul 23, 2017 Ginny Rose rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-rdg-challenge, 5-stars-read, bailey-babe, arc, family-series, netgally-approved, pass-me-the-tissues, last-book-in-the-series

How to put in words what this book made me feel.

If you've seen the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron you will get this analogy. The chemistry between Incredible Hulk and Black Widow. The need to soothe a protective soul with a lullaby. That's Belmont and Sage. A gentle giant and his security blanket.

You should know that writing this review and thinking of how Ms. Bailey brought the whole clan to full circle brings happy tears to my eyes. The build up of who Belmont was and is, is monumental. The c ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars

I was fascinated by Belmont when he was introduced in Too Hot to Handle and I was so excited to get his story.

He is a quiet, stoic, sad gentle giant so full of anxiety. He has demons from his past and triggers. But two things calm and soothe him and that is the water, which is why he is a salvage boat captain, and Sage Alexander, his sister's best friend. Just being near Sage or touching her seems to calm him, but as they spent more time on their road trip, he did not make it clear that he had o I was fascinated by Belmont when he was introduced in Too Hot to Handle and I was so excited to get his story.

He is a quiet, stoic, sad gentle giant so full of anxiety. He has demons from his past and triggers. But two things calm and soothe him and that is the water, which is why he is a salvage boat captain, and Sage Alexander, his sister's best friend. Just being near Sage or touching her seems to calm him, but as they spent more time on their road trip, he did not make it clear that he had other feelings for her too. He comes off as concrete, innocent, rigid, and childlike in some ways, but he is also protective to the point that Sage is worried about being smothered.

But Sage has her own secrets...and her own triggers, and being co-dependent or relying too much on someone top the list. She realizes she needs to try to put some distance between the two of them because they are beginning to rely on each other too much. She is not sure where she really stands with him as he has always been a gentleman with her and puts her up on a pedastal. She is caring and kind, but scared and ashamed of her background. And she knows that Belmont will do anything to protect her, and she does not want to drag him into her life that is getting more complicated.

But facing the loss of her from his life might just be the thing to push Belmont really out of his comfort zone and make him take a stand. These two really do need each other to keep grounded and calm, but at the same time it scares them due to the intensity. They are two people with difficult, lonely childhoods that still have fears, issues, and insecurities. And they both are inexperienced in relationships, sex, and love.

The connection between these two was soul deep and could be felt. It was like they could not take a full breath without each other and their need to touch was sometimes almost painful. I adored them together. Belmont is not a typical bossy, unfiltered, alpha hero...he is a sensitive soul that keeps himself guarded, but feels deep and will protect those he cares about to his own detriment. And Sage is strong, determined, and has a beautiful, loving heart. Together they are such a sweet, tender, passionate couple with a unique understanding of the other's struggles and limitations. They push the other to reach for what they need and not settle, to express locked down emotions and pain, and to be okay sharing their true selves with others. I liked seeing the progression of their communication, humor, understanding, emotional involvement, and physical bond.

This ties up this series about siblings on a cross country journey to follow their Mother's final requests and their individual stories of finding love along the away. The siblings Rita, Aaron, and Peggy have stopped in various locations as they paired up, but they are still available when needed. This family truly re-bonded over shared time, adventures, obstacles, and improved communication and understanding. Belmont and Sage are the final couple trying to sort through their feelings, deal with life's complications, and figure out where their paths will lead them. These two especially have a need to develop inner peace and contentment, pride, and empowerment in order to find themselves again and their true soul mate. They have both internal and external issues to fight that at times seem insurmountable. It is a beautiful story of strength, healing, trust, sacrifice, and love.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Oct 01, 2017 Emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-wishlist

Tessa Bailey has been leading us up to this moment through all the books of the series, it's time to find out if Sage and Belmont can get past their issues to form a true, healthy relationship. There have been hints through each of the previous books as to the deep secrets both Belmont and Sage hold within themselves but now the time has come to unleash those secrets in order to work towards a future that will make them both happy.

Too Beautiful to Break is a mix of sweet and sour in the narrativ Tessa Bailey has been leading us up to this moment through all the books of the series, it's time to find out if Sage and Belmont can get past their issues to form a true, healthy relationship. There have been hints through each of the previous books as to the deep secrets both Belmont and Sage hold within themselves but now the time has come to unleash those secrets in order to work towards a future that will make them both happy.

Too Beautiful to Break is a mix of sweet and sour in the narrative, whereby the sourness of the past threatens the sweetness of the future both Belmont and Sage believe out of their reach.

Uncovering the parts of themselves that they have kept hidden was simultaneously heartbreaking and cathartic. Both characters have to face their inner demons in order to move forward with their lives, their upbringings having shaped their identities in ways that are difficult to comprehend unless you have some experience of toxic relationships.

Tessa delves into the realm of co-dependency and the fine line there is between being supportive of the person you love and being a crutch so they are unable to stand by themselves. While I can honestly say I still don't' truly understand the nature of co-dependency, I will say the way in which Tessa depicted an extreme form of co-dependency hit a nerve with me personally, showing how easy it is to slip into a role of not taking ownership of your own shortcomings and using the other person as a way of enabling a path of self-destruction. In order to be able to provide support for someone else, you need to be able to support yourself first.

My heart hurt for the way in which both Belmont and Sage shouldered responsibility from a young age, missing out on having a childhood because of the actions of others. Their naivety and innocence in specific aspects of their lives shone through the story and served to endear them further not only to me as a reader but to others around them, the term 'pure of heart' comes to mind when I think about Belmont and Sage.

The finale of the series brings the purpose of the Clarkson's and their road trip to fruition in a surprising way, all of the siblings have grown as people, finding true love as well as strengthening the bond they have as a family.

Completing their mother's final request brings the last piece of information necessary for Belmont to put the past behind him and move toward the happiness he deserves.

Too Beautiful to Break is an emotional, thought-provoking and very fitting end to a brilliant series. ...more

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Aug 10, 2017 Dísir rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, made-my-chest-ache, chick-lit, smutty, netgalley, eyeballs-rolled-into-my-head, contemporary-romance, annoying-brainless-wimpy-female, idiotic-lead-character, why-god-why

‘Too Beautiful to Break’ closes out the Clarksons series where a road trip from the west to the east coast (that’s supposed to end in a dip in the cold, cold waters of the Atlantic) based on a mother’s journal heals rifts between siblings and gets them their own love of their lives as well. Each book chronicles each Clarkson sibling’s story and I have to say, it has been a ride as Tessa Bailey picks on the oddest of triggers for each of them to use as the very catalyst to lead them to their HEAs ‘Too Beautiful to Break’ closes out the Clarksons series where a road trip from the west to the east coast (that’s supposed to end in a dip in the cold, cold waters of the Atlantic) based on a mother’s journal heals rifts between siblings and gets them their own love of their lives as well. Each book chronicles each Clarkson sibling’s story and I have to say, it has been a ride as Tessa Bailey picks on the oddest of triggers for each of them to use as the very catalyst to lead them to their HEAs.

Bailey has left Belmont’s and Sage’s for last, and it’s their strange interdependency rather than any sexual tension throughout the trip that finally causes Sage to up and leave Belmont who needs her to calm the demons in his head.

That’s where the story begins—with so many conflicting and contradictory emotions that Sage broadcasted which frankly, confused me. Much of Sage’s bluster about needing to push Belmont away felt like the lady doth protested too much when she realised she had been using him as much as he has been using her instead. I didn’t like her wishy-washy sense of pushing-pulling away from Belmont and that he’d needed to chase her up the mountains and down the valleys just to get her to understand that he saw her as a woman (rather than someone he needed to lean on) didn’t sit too well with me when it was evident from the start that their relationship was really about support. In other words, they were using each other as crutches because they needed to lean on each other when it was bad. Yet I couldn’t quite see what exactly was so wrong with that, because that was what partly defined a relationship as well: people needing each other in so many ways, only that their need hadn’t yet turned sexual.

Only a writer of Bailey’s calibre can sharply highlight emotions and get deeply into her characters’ heads—this much I’ll always associate with Bailey’s books and exposition about her paragraphs of her characters’ state of mind. Yet here, Bailey tries to make a distinction between need and neediness that I basically couldn’t agree with—it was unconvincingly superfluous and one that split hairs—and in doing so, has her protagonists running emotional rings around each other because they find themselves unable to go to each other for comfort with the ‘wrong’ kind of motivation.

I could understand Sage’s and Belmont’s need to fight their own demons, only that I didn’t think at all that they should have insisting on doing it alone. For Sage, it was her impoverished roots with parents who only leaned on each other and forgot about her; for Belmont it was a traumatic childhood incident that he hadn’t managed to shake off at all. In any case, there’s a small town type feel in Louisiana that’s claustrophobic and stifling, with a villain that somehow manages to ensnare both Sage and Belmont when he finally comes to her rescue and tries to take on her burdens. I only wished that Sage fought harder for Belmont as he did for her.

In ‘Too Beautiful to Break’, it all ends blissfully happy for everyone, especially for readers who want to see how other characters get on after the end of their own books. The Polar Plunge cements the Clarksons’ siblings bond and with the retro-tint of movies past, the layers of all the stories in this series come together when everyone has their HEA by the time they shake the cold water off themselves.

*ARC by Netgalley and the publisher
(still grateful, mind) ...more

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Sep 29, 2017 Gaele rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-challenges, net-galley, crrc, grand-central, reviewed

Belmont Clarkson is the focus of this story: he’s never been particularly comfortable with change – and this family has had tons of change happening of late. He’s always appeared as the most withdrawn and damaged of the siblings, and his full story is yet to be shared. But, he’s had one constant along the way – his girlfriend Sage – whose presence seems to keep him on a more even keel. But all is not well in Sage’s life either, and she is worried about the codependency issues that seem to keep t Belmont Clarkson is the focus of this story: he’s never been particularly comfortable with change – and this family has had tons of change happening of late. He’s always appeared as the most withdrawn and damaged of the siblings, and his full story is yet to be shared. But, he’s had one constant along the way – his girlfriend Sage – whose presence seems to keep him on a more even keel. But all is not well in Sage’s life either, and she is worried about the codependency issues that seem to keep them together even as both are too broken to really be good for the long term.

Now faced with a choice, and her parents needing her, Sage decides to go to them, knowing Belmont wouldn’t be able to function in that new world: she’s never shared much of her own issues with him – thinking he needed her more to listen than to share, and she’s wondering just how well he’ll survive without her. But, her choice is clear (to her) and away she goes.

Such a different story from the earlier books in this series. Watching their struggles: Sage with leaving to return to a family life that wasn’t ideal, and Belmont’s struggle without the touchstone that keeps him calm and loosely engaged with the greater world. He’s forced into situations that are uncomfortable and unfamiliar – and his path is never without missteps, but the growth and revelations he experiences will be, eventually, good for him. Even as he (and readers) don’t always see it at first. What comes forward most strongly is that until that growth happens, for the both of them, neither is truly understanding what love is, or how to function with and without it. And not surprisingly, it is Belmont who makes the sacrifices for Sage that show that love in many enduring, heartbreaking and even poignant ways.

Bailey has done it again – taken what was expected and toss that to the wind, bringing a wholly unexpected set of issues to the table, giving us characters that fit well with the others in the series, yet stand out for their heart and the need to see them both find the ending that is appropriate and oh so welcome.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
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Sep 28, 2017 Laura rated it liked it

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

3.5 Stars

I have enjoyed all of the Romancing the Clarksons novels, so I was looking forward to the last in the series...in the way that you want a story to end, and don't, all at the same time.

For this one, I wasn't sure. Belmont is pretty damaged, and you know that about him from the beginning of the first story. So, would enough happen, would he heal enough on the road trip, to be ok (or at least on the way enough) to be a convincing hero? For m ...more

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Sep 26, 2017 Jillian Stein rated it it was amazing

Too Beautiful To Break is the fourth, and sadly last, book in author Tessa Bailey's Meeting The Clarksons series and highlights a couple we've seen throughout the whole series, but knew very little about. A couple comprised of a serious, handsome, thoughtful, broody Belmont and the beautiful, sweet, kind Sage. The connection they shared was always in the shadows and we didn't really know the exact dynamic between them...until now. And now that I've finished this story I can tell you all the bu Too Beautiful To Break is the fourth, and sadly last, book in author Tessa Bailey's Meeting The Clarksons series and highlights a couple we've seen throughout the whole series, but knew very little about. A couple comprised of a serious, handsome, thoughtful, broody Belmont and the beautiful, sweet, kind Sage. The connection they shared was always in the shadows and we didn't really know the exact dynamic between them...until now. And now that I've finished this story I can tell you all the build up was so worth the wait. Oh, how I love this couple so.

If you want a little backstory on the Clarksons as whole, I'm going to direct you here because frankly I can't wait to gush over Belmont and Sage...

Belmont, from the very beginning, has been the stoic older brother with a protective streak a mile long and a soft heart as big as Texas. We got to see glimpses of those traits throughout the series, but he always remained a mystery. His childhood was shaped around one nightmarish incident that, in a way, made him the man he is today. He was a great big teddy bear who maybe didn't smile of laugh a lot, but a man you loved regardless. He was also a man you just knew loved Sage Alexander, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud just yet, you knew the special kind of connection and tension between them would spill over into much more than a few stolen quiet moments together.

What's not to love about Sage Alexander? She's kind and beautiful and has a soft grace about her that practically jumped off the pages. They were mismatched in so many ways, but so well matched in the most important of ways.

So, when these to are thrown into a situation where they can't deny what they feel for each other any longer, I knew I was in for an emotional ride. And oh boy, I think I cried through the entire second half of this book.

One of the things I loved most about Belmont and Sage was they were both pretty innocent when it came to relationships and handling emotions. So seeing them experience a lot of things that come with first love was rather refreshing and a bit unexpected. It really brought another layer to their story that made their bond that much more special and strong. It also made me need almost a whole box of tissues.

The road they must travel down is way more than just a rough one. Both of the have to battle childhood demons that they've been pushing aside for far too long but they do it....together. Man, is it something special to read.

Now, some of you may know that when Tessa first thought of this series, I was beyond excited. It was a series unlike anything out there, and still is. What you may not know is that we were at dinner when she told me it was going to come to fruition; I totally started crying right there in the restaurant. What you also may not know is on another occasion I forced her to tell me how Belmont's story would play out. You can imagine I cried again. But what she managed to put down on paper, and into the words of this book, far surpassed anything I could have dreamed for. It was the most sublime of stories and while I am so freaking sad the series has come to an end, there is no better way to have it ended with these two. And yes, I'm crying again...

Thank you, Tessa, for giving us not only the whole Clarkson gang, but the loves they've found on their journey and for taking us along for the ride. ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Malissa rated it really liked it

If you are a Tessa Bailey fan this is the book you have been waiting for. This is the book that is the soul of the entire Romancing the Clarkson's series and for a fan of this series the makes this book their soul so you can imagine how exciting this day is for all the Bailey's Babes, the readers that have been swooning, fawning, and biting their nails over our beloved Belmont and Sage. I can almost guarantee that by the end of the day today there will be a collective sigh heard round the world If you are a Tessa Bailey fan this is the book you have been waiting for. This is the book that is the soul of the entire Romancing the Clarkson's series and for a fan of this series the makes this book their soul so you can imagine how exciting this day is for all the Bailey's Babes, the readers that have been swooning, fawning, and biting their nails over our beloved Belmont and Sage. I can almost guarantee that by the end of the day today there will be a collective sigh heard round the world as readers close the back cover and clutch this book to their chest both pleased at the end to the series and sad that it has all come to an end.

The one thing you need to know about this book is it is utterly sigh worthy. As always with a Tessa Bailey book all the swoon and romance is there, but there is also a softness to this story, a deep sadness that is both heart breaking and beautiful. Too Beautiful to Break is a book about fears, about discovering them, concurring them, accepting them, and letting them go.

If you have read the previous books in this series you know how difficult Belmont's back story was going to be. He's a broken man, broken in such a way that the only ease he finds from his hurt and fears is either on the water or in the presence of Sage Alexander. There is a peace that he brings to her that he can't find anywhere else and he has needed her badly during his and his siblings cross country adventure, a trip that has taken him away from the contentment his work and the water give him and put him through an emotional hurricane. Once Sage arrives he can finally breathe but then everything changes when she leaves him standing at train station lost and confused. That moment with Belmont, it broke my heart as much as it broke his. Imagining him completely lost with out his anchor pulled me right into his hurricane of emotions and had me clutching my heart over his pain.

Sage has to leave Belmont behind, she has to get home, home to a life she tried to run from but was always tethered to, one she knew she would always have to return to. She has to run from Belmont because he offers her too much safety. He offers her a way to lose herself in his arms and in his love, but it's an unhealthy dependency that she fears finding herself in with him, the same type of dependency she lived through with her parents, parents she loves but can not let herself become like.

I love this story, I loved the heartache, I loved the back story, I loved the romance, I LOVED Belmont, I loved almost everything...the one thing that keeps me from giving Too Beautiful to Break a 5 star rating is that I didn't love Sage as much as I wanted to. You know how sometimes you wait so long for a book, there is so much build up, that the book can ultimately disappoint you because it just isn't everything you craved and hoped for, a little of this happened here but it was only with one character, everything else hit the mark. For me Sage was just a little too wishy-washy. Of all the characters to give everything to and then rip it all away Belmont is the last one it should ever be done to. I struggled a little to see her side of things for some reason this idea that she could allow herself to be so totally immersed in another person, that she's strong enough to walk away from him, that she is strong enough to fight a battle for her family, but she isn't strong enough to set up a life with Belmont that supports them both with out losing one another seemed strange to me. It may just be that due to my own independence I can't understand where she is coming from but it hurt to see the way she pulls and pushes Belmont through life. But honestly this challenge for me is just a drop in the bucket of a beautiful story, one that deserves to be read and loved.

I highly suggest reading this series from start to finish particularly when it comes to reading Too Beautiful to Break, you need to know Belmont before going into this story, you need to see how he loves his family, how he depends on them, but how he fights for them and fights to give them their happiness. You need to see his quiet and heart breaking interactions with Sage so you can feel the true force of his book. You need to see that he is the soul, the pillar of this family and that of everyone his happiness is what this whole series has ultimately been leading up to. That this sad little boy, this broken man gets the chance to find happiness, safety, and love.

~ HAPPY READING ~ ...more

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