Reviewer: Holly Heartbreaker by Linda Howard
Series: Kell Sabin #3, Rescues #3
Also in this series: Midnight Rainbow (Rescues #1)
Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Genres: Fiction, Suspense
Pages: 384
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Available digitally for the first time ever, Heartbreaker is a classic novel of romantic suspense from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Linda Howard
Michelle Cabot reluctantly returns home to central Florida, having inherited her father's cattle ranch—and the mountain of bills that go with it. But Michelle's determined to turn things around, even as she discovers she's heavily indebted to neighboring rancher John Rafferty, a man she's spent ten years trying to forget.
John has his own ideas for how the spoiled princess he remembers might pay him back—but when Michelle's secrets come to light, he'll do anything to protect her…including letting go of the past once and for all.
Featuring an excerpt from TROUBLEMAKER, Linda Howard’s new hardcover novel!
John Rafferty has been enamored of Michelle Cabot most of his adult life, even though he’s convinced she’s nothing but a spoiled little rich girl. But when opportunity knocks, he takes full advantage by roping Michelle in to a bargain she can’t refuse. After her father passed away, Michelle is left basically destitute and John holds a note against the property that he decides to call due, knowing she won’t be able to pay him off. His plan? To teach her a lesson..and to finally get his hands on her.
Michelle is determined, for once in her life, to prove she’s worth more than being some man’s trophy. Though it’s tough, she’s doing all that she can to keep her father’s ranch alive. When John Rafferty comes in to the picture, Michelle knows her heart is in trouble. Despite her feelings, she knows she can’t let him take away her newfound independence. When things outside of her control force her into moving in with John, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she completely loses herself to him. But then strange things start happening, and Michelle is terrified her past is finally catching up to her. When she turns to John for help she finally realizes she has to rely on herself.
I know a lot of people have issues with this book, because John is such an overbearing ass, and Michelle was one of those heroines that really skirts the TSTL line. John was an ass to Michelle. He thinks he’s got her figured out right from the beginning. Watching him realize she’s not at all what he thought is wonderful. Michelle holds herself back because she knows how John really feels about her and also because she’s been hurt in the past and doesn’t want to get hurt again. This annoys John greatly. And watching John be annoyed brought me great joy, because like I said, he really was an ass to Michelle.
But he was redeemed for me in the end, because I came to realize that what he does, he does out of love for her. Although Michelle can’t see it, the reader can, and that completely saved him for me.
I did get frustrated with him when he didn’t believe Michelle when she got run off the road, but I like that he realized he was wrong and admitted it (if only to himself). Still, the way he and Michelle skirted around things without actually discussing them was almost too much for me. Almost. In the end I enjoyed the book, even if it isn’t a favorite. I still say it’s somewhat underrated.
3.5 out of 5
This book is available from Mira. You can buy it here or here in e-format.