Review: Surprisingly good!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 9, 2011
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."- by Kahlil Gibran -4 stars.William Jackson is a computer geek. He works from his Minnesota home. He is withdrawn and rather taciturn. Actually, he lives like a hermit because of his horrible childhood. His safe routine is blown to pieces when the daily sight of an unknown woman walking her dog sends his feelings in a turmoil.Jenny Fitzgerald's sex life is non-existent. The only guy who wants to date her is a creepy man named Evan. Evan is her co-worker and a mean guy. And then some day the love god sends her...this yummylicious specimen of a hot, sweet, AND shy man! This Nordic god standing in the middle of the path in a snowstorm is William. For a few days they go out for a walk with Jen's dog Rosie. Eventually, she 'invites' him on a date...Will's obvious fascination with her, his single-minded focus on her, makes her feel beautiful and interesting. His fixation on her is a bit disconcerting but hard to resist nevertheless!I really liked this book. The main couple is very sympathetic and there are good secondary characters as well. I truly LOVED Chris, the gay guy. He was so funny! The dialogs were good and hilarious - especially between Chris and Jenny. The hero was so taciturn, there wasn't really much room to develop exceptional dialogs. Of course I have to say that Will's dialogs fit him perfectly. He wasn't much of a talker and he was insecure and shy, therefore his answers were always short. His demeanor was very endearing - such a sweet guy! And he didn't even realize how hot he was! The sex scenes...gosh, they were really steamy and both of them were heating up the shower AND the sheets. I was so surprised to see how experienced the hero was when it came down to sex. I mean he was a virgin. Obviously, he learned a lot while watching certain movies. *cough*The beginning of this story was superb and I was totally hooked. And it reminded me a bit of Barbara Elsborg's books. Later on the pace slowed down and the plot didn't move forward as I'd have expected. But suddenly I had to read about this near-rape scene and the plot moved at a faster pace. Again.If you read the blurb then you know that this book contains a realistic, violent near-rape scene. Be prepared for an utterly nail-biting, heart-stopping, and thrilling scene of agony. When I read this particular scene, I truly felt for Jen, I hurt for her and I told myself over and over again "When will it be over and when will the hero come to her rescue??" Actually, when Will came and rescued Jen, I felt a tremendous relief!What didn't work for me:The author could have exploited the potential of this story much more. We know that Will had a rather horrible childhood. This topic could have been explored way better and I wanted more background story about Will. I wanted more insight, I wanted to know what goes on in his head. Sure, the author gave us a few glimpses but I just felt that it required further 'explanations'. Furthermore, I wanted him to open up completely, and I was waiting for his meltdown in front of Jen. The main couple never discussed his being a `virgin'. Will didn't tell Jen about his virginity. He was such a sensitive guy and I wanted to read about such a particular and important scene. I wanted him to "Break the Silence". The author didn't let that happen. Unfortunately. That's my biggest regret. Additionally, the whole marriage proposal felt a bit too rushed - it didn't ring true to me.Loved those 'lines':[...]"Sorry, Will - force of habit. And you're way too pretty to resist.""Try." Jenny took Will's arm and tugged him out of Christian's reach. "I still haven't forgiven you for stealing my last potential date away from me."Christian looked blank. "Who?""Trevor? Bike messenger guy? Ringing any bells?""Oh please," Christian scoffed. "If you don't want me to steal them, then don't go out with closet cases."Will's muscles tightened at this, his shoulder blades pulling together."Don't worry." Christian must have noticed the small movement. "I can tell you're as straight as an arrow. The flirting before was just...staring through the candy shop window without a penny in my pocket, that's all." [...][...]Sometimes, she thought wryly, talking to Will was like playing twenty questions.[...]Overall, Breaking the Silence is an entertaining and engrossing read. And please, Ms. Allen, I'd like to read Christian's story!