Review: Stunning! ~ 5 Stars!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 2, 2014
Within the first few minutes of starting ‘Breaking Fences’ I felt the tension just run out of my shoulders and I felt such relief I could have started celebrating. Finally, a new adult book where college isn’t depicted as the best time of someone’s life. I loved the different take that Juliana Haygert used when it came to Bia’s college life, the struggles she faced, the problems with friends, the need to escape, the feeling of being misunderstood and judged because of being different. This was a story about a girl at college that I could really relate to. My own University experience was in some ways the worst three years of my life, so having a heroine, a nice girl who is passionate, kind and dedicated, who didn’t just fly through University was just so refreshing to read, and helped make this one of the top books I’ve read this year.I loved Bia’s character, and I feel there are many girls out there who will relate to her and her struggles. I loved that whilst she came from money, it didn’t change her, or make her treat anybody as though they were inferior. The chapters where we see Bia with the horses at the ranch was written so fluidly and was described in such a beautiful way that I felt as though I was there too, and had found my own sanctuary to hide away in when things to too tough in the real world. It is the sign of a really talented author to make a reader feel this, and I commend Juliana Haygert for a job beautifully done.Now moving on to Garrett. *sigh* Garrett was my kind of man. I loved the slight rugged broodiness he exhibited, and the dedication he showed to the horses at the ranch, and also to a family who didn’t deserve the devotion he bestowed upon them. I loved the mystery behind Garrett and where he came from, as well as the reasons why he drew Bia in only to distance himself again quickly. The author created a stunning character, whose development was timed perfectly, and when his secret is revealed at the end, his demeanour throughout the whole novel is explained and you both want to forgive him immediately, and also slap him around the head as a member of Team Bia.There are a lot of messages linked nicely throughout this story, with the meaningful relationship that a human can create with an animal if they treat it in a way that it deserves, as well as the cruelty of prejudice, and how it can ruin somebody’s life as there is no way to defend themselves.Juliana Haygert has created a beautiful story which both broke my heart and warmed it as we see the good nature of some people cancel out the cruelty in others.5 Stars and a definite recommended read.