I've never read of such an occurrence which made me ask another series of questions as I contemplated the upcoming turn of events. The later part of the book provides a twist I never saw coming. Share what was on his heart and mind so their love could continue, and grow. This scene touched me in a way I couldn't explain as I wondered what was forcing Cal to leave her, hoping and praying he would return to her as a man able to Even so, he whispered for her not to give up on him. I lived,īreathed, even dreamed about these characters - when I was able to set the book aside and go to sleep.Ī pivotal point occurred with the last conversation between Cal and Lauren in this book: after denying Lauren the freedom to leave him during the times sheįelt she couldn't live with him anymore, he told her he was leaving - and wasn't sure if, or when, he'd be back. Characters from stories I read don't usually follow me in such a way. Up, the characters followed me, much the same as if I was writing a story, wondering what would happen to them next. When I put the book aside to do things around the house, go to work and whatever else came Regardless, the story sucked me into another realm as I tried to figure out why Cal was so secretive.

However, there didn't have to be so many of them and they didn't need to be as graphic as they were. I understand some of these scenes were needed with the overall context of the story - since it seemed, on the surface, that most of what Lauren and Cal shared was sexual On a few occasions, she was prepared to leave him but he seemed toĪppear out of nowhere, preventing her from leaving.Īdmittedly, there are several sexual scenes in If I Break and I skimmed through many of them, ready to get to what happenedĪfterwards.

Through flashbacks between the present and the past, Lauren shares the story of her andĬal and we easily see how she is manipulated sexually any time she confronts him about anything he doesn't want to discuss. Point she gave up her own convictions, becoming consumed by him and the passion they experienced together. When I first started reading Lauren Brooks' story, nothing stood out from any other female lead I've read in a fiction title - but something changed when she met Cal. My experience with If I Break was similar to this last category I mentioned, yet different. While reading some books, I've forgotten I was a mother, grandmother, employee and friend because the stories totally consumed me. Other times, the pages turned so quickly because I needed to know what Sometimes I took my time, soaking in each word and description written. I've read countless books throughout my life. What I did not anticipate wasīeginning to read and getting so drawn into the story that reality slipped away - in the way it did. When I first saw the cover for If I Break by Portia Moore, I knew it was a book that I would read.

Before i break by portia moore