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takealookatmybookshelf's review
4.0
Break the Stone is Cassie Swindon’s debut novel. This is book one in the Golden Chains series. It has a bit of everything, drama, mystery, romance, and suspense. Raelyn Bell is on a quest to find out about her deceased mother. Secrets and threats surrounding her mother push Raelyn to uncover the mystery. On her journey, she meets Kody Walsh, an advancing soldier, and causes his life to become utter chaos. When Kody’s life is threatened, they work together to find out what happened to Raelyn’s mom.
Break the Stone was an enthralling, engaging, and descriptive mystery with well-developed characters. Raelyn and Kody are such unique characters. Raelyn’s strength and curiosity drive her to determine the truth and her character complements Kody’s tougher nature as a soldier really well. As these two work together, mystery and romance develop between the two and their chemistry is amazing.
This book is an adventure I really enjoyed. There’s so much happening in this emotional rollercoaster of a book and while it started off slightly slow, but once it got going I was captivated. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book to get the answers I so desperately seek!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Break the Stone was an enthralling, engaging, and descriptive mystery with well-developed characters. Raelyn and Kody are such unique characters. Raelyn’s strength and curiosity drive her to determine the truth and her character complements Kody’s tougher nature as a soldier really well. As these two work together, mystery and romance develop between the two and their chemistry is amazing.
This book is an adventure I really enjoyed. There’s so much happening in this emotional rollercoaster of a book and while it started off slightly slow, but once it got going I was captivated. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book to get the answers I so desperately seek!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
baileaves's review
3.0
2.5 ⭐️
I was lucky to be given a free e-book version by the author.
I think this concept had a lot of potential and could’ve been a really great book but it fell a bit short for me. I didn’t love the writing style and found it almost... overly descriptive? Or perhaps it was that the same descriptions were repeated too often (Ex. Her coconut scent, his muscles). I found the metaphors were just distracting from the action of the story.
The playlist to go along with each chapter was a really cute idea, but writing the songs actually into the story felt forced and awkward after a while.
I felt this was written more for teens as it seemed a bit juvenile to me, however, the sex scenes seemed more adult.
I think Cassie had a lot of potential and I did like and empathize with the characters, but I think it just needed a few more rounds of editing.
I was lucky to be given a free e-book version by the author.
I think this concept had a lot of potential and could’ve been a really great book but it fell a bit short for me. I didn’t love the writing style and found it almost... overly descriptive? Or perhaps it was that the same descriptions were repeated too often (Ex. Her coconut scent, his muscles). I found the metaphors were just distracting from the action of the story.
The playlist to go along with each chapter was a really cute idea, but writing the songs actually into the story felt forced and awkward after a while.
I felt this was written more for teens as it seemed a bit juvenile to me, however, the sex scenes seemed more adult.
I think Cassie had a lot of potential and I did like and empathize with the characters, but I think it just needed a few more rounds of editing.
chelseacheyenne's review
4.0
I was a beta reader for Cassie Swindon’s debut novel. Well written and exciting (a couple times while reading it my watch would tell me to breathe), I enjoyed this new-adult book and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
valerie_amanda09's review
5.0
I received this as an ARC for an honest review. You can not help but become invested in the story, along with the characters. Secrets that were buried are coming to light. If I could I would give this book 100/10 stars.
crcovey's review
5.0
This novel had more twists than a hairpin road in the mountains. Who's the good guy, who's the bad? Why was the box important, what really happened to her mother (and when)? Although some things are answered and cleared up, a lot of questions remain. The book will hook you and draw you in like one of the fish in a river metaphor.
annacackler's review
5.0
I read Break the Stone as a preliminary beta reader. Even with an unpolished copy, I could not put it down. It’s a fantastic debut for new author Cassie Swindon, full of suspense and romance.
Raelyn Bell is suddenly transplanted from her idyllic country life and forced to finish her final year of high school in a new city. She has no idea that the reason for the sudden move was because her father, William, had begun receiving threats about files her deceased mother may have left behind.
Raelyn is a good protagonist: shy, romantic, and strong minded. The real standout is her new best friend, Cali. She’s the outgoing show stopper that all introverts love to be adopted by. The final main character is Kody, the brooding military man struggling to protect the people he loves, while helping Raelyn search for answers. Together, they attempt to uncover the truth about Raelyn’s mother and disentangle the growing conspiracy around her death.
The romance between Raelyn and Kody was perhaps a little predictable, but the characters had excellent chemistry and I was pleased with how well their growing relationship drove the suspenseful plot line. Overall the biggest strengths were the well-drawn characters, which is a major plus for me personally. You can have the best plot in the world, but if the characters are flat, I’m bored. That was not the case with Break the Stone. Raelyn, Cali, and Kody were all engrossing, likeable in their own ways, and full of depth. And William’s journey toward connecting with Raelyn and finally coming to terms with being a single father was heartfelt and real.
The plot was also engrossing. Most of my initial predictions were way off, which isn’t usual for me. I won’t spoil anything here, but the ending is satisfying and leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Can’t wait for more from this author!
For more reviews, visit me at annacackler.com.
Raelyn Bell is suddenly transplanted from her idyllic country life and forced to finish her final year of high school in a new city. She has no idea that the reason for the sudden move was because her father, William, had begun receiving threats about files her deceased mother may have left behind.
Raelyn is a good protagonist: shy, romantic, and strong minded. The real standout is her new best friend, Cali. She’s the outgoing show stopper that all introverts love to be adopted by. The final main character is Kody, the brooding military man struggling to protect the people he loves, while helping Raelyn search for answers. Together, they attempt to uncover the truth about Raelyn’s mother and disentangle the growing conspiracy around her death.
The romance between Raelyn and Kody was perhaps a little predictable, but the characters had excellent chemistry and I was pleased with how well their growing relationship drove the suspenseful plot line. Overall the biggest strengths were the well-drawn characters, which is a major plus for me personally. You can have the best plot in the world, but if the characters are flat, I’m bored. That was not the case with Break the Stone. Raelyn, Cali, and Kody were all engrossing, likeable in their own ways, and full of depth. And William’s journey toward connecting with Raelyn and finally coming to terms with being a single father was heartfelt and real.
The plot was also engrossing. Most of my initial predictions were way off, which isn’t usual for me. I won’t spoil anything here, but the ending is satisfying and leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Can’t wait for more from this author!
For more reviews, visit me at annacackler.com.
peachykitkat's review
4.0
Mystery. Action packed. Intriguing. I was a little hesitant if I would like this book when I started reading as it isn’t the normal genre of books that I would read however I was very pleasantly surprised when I found that I couldn’t put the book down.
This book has a little bit of everything in it for every kind of reader, from suspense to mystery to romance to action. It’s packed full of information and little hints that keep you questioning what’s going to happen next and keeps readers on the edge of their seats with more than a few emotional moments throughout the book.
And now to impatiently wait for book 2...
I was kindly sent this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a little bit of everything in it for every kind of reader, from suspense to mystery to romance to action. It’s packed full of information and little hints that keep you questioning what’s going to happen next and keeps readers on the edge of their seats with more than a few emotional moments throughout the book.
And now to impatiently wait for book 2...
I was kindly sent this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
brookes_booknook's review
4.0
I am so thankful that I was able to receive an arc copy of break the stone and get the opportunity to read this story. I don’t want to post any spoilers so I will keep my descriptions vague.
With that being said I want to say that the storyline was good and I loved the mystery and romance this book offered. I loved that you got duel POVs from both Raelyn and kody throughout the book to give you insight from both sides. There were sometimes that I thought the love was a little forced between the two and that some of the thing that happened were kind of easy to guess at first but as the story went on it kept me more on my toes so for the most part I really enjoyed it.
My downfall to this book was that I couldn’t get over how the POVs were written in the third person. I have never been able to get into and fully submerged myself in a story that was written like this. It’s no fault to the author it’s just how I am. So if you don’t like books written in the third person I wouldn’t suggest this for you BUT I you do like the third person POV or don’t mind one way or another I would recommend this book to you!
With that being said I want to say that the storyline was good and I loved the mystery and romance this book offered. I loved that you got duel POVs from both Raelyn and kody throughout the book to give you insight from both sides. There were sometimes that I thought the love was a little forced between the two and that some of the thing that happened were kind of easy to guess at first but as the story went on it kept me more on my toes so for the most part I really enjoyed it.
My downfall to this book was that I couldn’t get over how the POVs were written in the third person. I have never been able to get into and fully submerged myself in a story that was written like this. It’s no fault to the author it’s just how I am. So if you don’t like books written in the third person I wouldn’t suggest this for you BUT I you do like the third person POV or don’t mind one way or another I would recommend this book to you!
adventureinlit's review
5.0
This was way different than what I had expected, but in such an exhilarating way. With mystery, intrigue and a whole lot of character excitement, I wasn't able to put this one down. throughout the story you're learning about the characters mom who supposedly died, but there is a TON of mystery surrounding her supposed death and then questions as to whether she may still be alive. The main character happens to make friends with a handsome young soldier in the army and they work together to help her find answers. While also fighting their obvious attraction to one another.
A really enjoyable YA romantic adventure that I can't wait to read the next installment!
A really enjoyable YA romantic adventure that I can't wait to read the next installment!