Review: Amazing book filled with many treasures!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 2, 2014
Some authors have a gift.A true gift for taking real-world problems and surrounding that with terrific conflict.This author has that true gift.4.5 STARS!!!WOW.  What a terrific book!  I am a huge equestrian fan!  Rode my entire life - until an accident stopped me - and loved that free flying feeling.  That feeling that nothing could touch me.  The barn and those animals were my true sanctuary.  My little piece of heaven where I could always by just me.  This book encompasses that feeling for me.  The specifics needed to make this review make total sense are spoilers.  So bear with me...Bia's family are huge in the Polo arena.  Has many farms, from her home country of Brazil to California.  She's the youngest of 4 boys - her 3 brothers and cousin.  Bia's always felt as she was trying to prove herself to her father and family.  But following her famous polo family around made that difficult.  I felt her needing to branch out in those moments the author gave us that background insight.  Feel her being suffocated by the fame of her brothers.  Bia decides at 22 it's her time."This was me, living my life, taking charge."When she arrives at college in Colorado, she's ready to prove to family all that she can be.  But things don't always work out the way we planned.  A sorority and fraternity 'befriend' her.  It's there she meets Garrett.  Garrett is the step-brother to one of the frat brothers.  He doesn't attend college so she's confused as to why he's always there.  I had this same question until I began to put the pieces together.  Garrett is a cowboy - decked out in boots and a hat.  Sexy!  When the pieces to Garrett's puzzle begin to come clearer, I realized just how big a fan of his I was.  I was outraged and frustrated at the things that happened to him.and with things coming to light, I was an even bigger fan.  He knows about loyalty and trust.  He also knows abandonment and betrayal.  I would consider him a tortured hero with all he's been through.  Yet he continues to face it all head on."I know I'm not a perfect man... but I want to try to be the best man I can be... But when I look at the future and let myself imagine you by my side, I can't think of anything more perfect than that."Bia is constantly being asked about her culture and being hit on with guys telling her 'You're Brazilian. Come on.'  She's appalled by all the attention.  She has no one to vent to, to tell of her frustrations.  Bia seeks to find a farm nearby.  Somewhere to bring her that solace and that sanctuary she feels when riding.  When she runs into Garrett at the farm she chooses.  He's a trainer there.  And every time they ran into each other or they exchanged words there was so much sexual tension I could cut it with a knife.  Their interactions are penetrable to the souls of readers.  There's much there between them it's steamy and hot.  When they share their first kiss I wanted to jump for joy!  Eureka!!  Finally!!"I had never been with a man that could bring me to my knees with one simple touch - and I wanted to.  I wanted him."And guess what... SHE kissed HIM!!!  So exciting when us gals make the first move.  Anyway, it's clear as crystal that they have something.  But something keeps him away.  After every great conversation or kiss, it's as if he tries to avoid her.  And as the lies and rumors about Bia become more intense, the more defeated she feels.  It was as if I could see and feel her shoulders slumping more and more.  Bia, so badly, wants to prove to her family that she can do this.  That she can complete her goal with her head held high.  But amongst all the events that happen to her, she looses touch with who she really is.  And as the last piece of Garrett's puzzle is placed in front of her - well she shatters."I didn't believe in soul mated.  I believed that there were a handful of people with whom an individual could be perfect with, but on a planet with seven billion people, a handful was hard to find... I'd found one of mine... Still, I had to let him go."This was one stunning display of real world problems - bullying, and deceit, coupled with the realization of really and truly finding yourself.  When the lights go down at the end of the night - who are you and is that who you want to be?  Let it be known that I have not read  Breaking the Reins -  but I will and very soon!  Breaking Fences has become a favorite of mine.  I adored the characters - some I loathed - and the conflicts and how they resolve were priceless.  When something epic happens, I've heard some say 'You couldn't make this s#!t up!'  But Juliana Haygert did... and it was one of the best journey's I've been on!!