A review by loverofromance
Cuffed by K. Bromberg
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Β This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ.5
World Building:ππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Cuffed is the 1st book in the "Everyday Heroes" series and in this one here we have the oldest brother, who has taken after his father in the career department. This series focuses on a family of three sons who dedicate themselves to civic service and each son has a field that they go into: Law Enforcement, Fire Department and Air Rescue. In Cuffed, our hero is the son working on a career in Law Enforcement and this is also a second chance romance between him and a childhood friend and they were torn apart by circumstances and now our lovely heroine, has come back to the town that she grew up in for a fresh start and to settle down roots and for something more that she won't even admit to but knows what is drawing her back, and that is the one boy she never forgot.
First Line
My tummy feels icky, and if I look at Emmy, she'll know I've been crying.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Grant Malone
Oldest of the Malone boys, working on building his career and getting a promotion to Detective. He is driven, hard working, loves his sex, and has a compassionate heart and protective to a fault.
The Heroine: Emmy Reeves
Emmy, is a free spirit, she has never had a home to call her own. She has trauma and past abuses she is still working through, but building her own business in jumping out of planes and has no shame in never being in relationship and settling for one night stands.
Summary
Grant Malone and Emmy Reeves were childhood best friends. They were also next door neighbors. They had a deep connection even as children. But when they were seven, Grant learned a secret about Emmy. A secret he wasn't able to keep to himself because even then he was a protector and his girl was being hurt and in trouble. But Emmy saw it as a betrayal and she and her mom left town after it was all over. Now its years later, Grant and Emmy are mature adults but there are past issues between them to be resolved. When Grant sees Emmy and she runs away from him, he is determined to reconnect with Emmy and see why she is back and why she would run from him of all people. But Emmy has walls around her heart, she shields herself from anything that could risk her having to trust Grant again, she is still hurt by his betrayal and it has shaped her all of these years. But Grant is determined to win his girl no matter what it takes. But will Grant and Emmy be able to resolve the past mistakes and find a future together as both have always dreamed of?
What I Loved
This book was delicious in every way, I absolutely adored every single moment between these two! K. Bromberg definitely knows how to write such a solid story and she entertains so much. Reading this trilogy is making me realize how much I adore her books and her writing style and why she always works for me. Cuffed is a story where we really get to see the oldest in his prime and see how he and his girl are brought together. We get some flashbacks but honestly I didn't mind them at all. And I normally hate flashbacks, they were just really short and seemed to blend so well with the story that I barely even noticed them. And this is the type of second chance romance setups I actually really love to see and definitely makes sense in how its written as these two were seperated through outside forces and it happened when they were children.
I really found their dynamic so fascinating though. Their bantering was delicious, hilarious and lively. They are opposites in many respects, but they know how to fight so well and really have this healthy competition with each other that was amusing at its core. They both give and take and never back down from what they believe in. They have powerful chemistry that lights a fire on the page but have such poignant moments between them that just tie them on deep entrenching levels, which as a reader, you will become addicted to. They have serious issues to work through in this story though. There is pain and regrets that stand in the way of their HEA and I really enjoyed seeing how it all plays out in the end.
We also see a bit of a side story with Grant and a case that he is working on that really makes sense over the guilt he has over what happened with Emmy when they were children. I really enjoyed the multi dimensional layers that we see within his character and seeing him face up to his own pain that cost him his best friend because he wanted to do the right thing so she could be safe even if it cost him her friendship and love. Emmy has her own reservations to deal with, she has many trust issues that she needs to resolve and unanswered questions that being with Grant will lead to getting for her and so that she receives the closure that she needs to heal fully.
Both the characters have such solid strengths that have made them into people of drive and fortitude in their lives and seeing them let go of the barriers and show each other their vulnerabilities and be real with each other on deeper levels is what elevated this book to such a high rating for me. Their connection is so vibrant especially when they let go of past barriers and that ending....EPICALLY BEAUTIFUL!
What I Struggled With
There wasn't much that I actually struggled with. I didn't seem to understand the heroine though in some of her actions though, especially in the beginning. Her character might turn off some readers.
Overall View
Cuffed is a sensational romance that digs deep into serious issues, balanced out with charm and fun banter, and will deliver a satisfying gem of a romance!
Favorite Quote(s)
We forget the memories and just chase the moments.
Grant Malone seems to be the only one Iβll allow to upend my world. First to save me. And now to show me what itβs like to feel.
He brings calm to the chaos spinning out of control around me and within me. For the first time in a very, very long time, I allow myself to accept that. To accept him. To welcome it rather than push it away.
I stay like that for a few moments, caught between the push and pull of needing her to stay and never wanting her to feel pain again. Crushed by the realization that somehow Iβm the one causing the discord in her life.
My need to show her she isnβt alone, that sheβs beautiful inside and out takes hold.
Iβm riding a high like Iβve never known before. Cheating death. Proving to her I trust her. Facing a fear. Everything. And all I can think about is claiming the goddamn prize of Emerson Reeves because adrenaline definitely has my blood pumping and is intensifying my need to have her.
βIβve survived this far by closing myself off and not allowing myself to feel . . . and then you enter my life with your lights and sirens blazing, and itβs as if youβve handcuffed me so that I canβt escape from you.
Youβre not alone anymore, Emerson. You never were.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Law Enforcement, Dare Devil, Alpha Mellow, Protector
Themes: All the Feels, Childhood Ties, Family Bonds, All the Heart, PTSD, Tear Jerker, Witty Banter
Tropes: Second Chance
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict is more focused on that outer plot workings
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read these as standalones if needed.
Song This Book Inspires
There You'll Be by Faith Hill
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.Β
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ.5
World Building:ππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Cuffed is the 1st book in the "Everyday Heroes" series and in this one here we have the oldest brother, who has taken after his father in the career department. This series focuses on a family of three sons who dedicate themselves to civic service and each son has a field that they go into: Law Enforcement, Fire Department and Air Rescue. In Cuffed, our hero is the son working on a career in Law Enforcement and this is also a second chance romance between him and a childhood friend and they were torn apart by circumstances and now our lovely heroine, has come back to the town that she grew up in for a fresh start and to settle down roots and for something more that she won't even admit to but knows what is drawing her back, and that is the one boy she never forgot.
First Line
My tummy feels icky, and if I look at Emmy, she'll know I've been crying.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Grant Malone
Oldest of the Malone boys, working on building his career and getting a promotion to Detective. He is driven, hard working, loves his sex, and has a compassionate heart and protective to a fault.
The Heroine: Emmy Reeves
Emmy, is a free spirit, she has never had a home to call her own. She has trauma and past abuses she is still working through, but building her own business in jumping out of planes and has no shame in never being in relationship and settling for one night stands.
Summary
Grant Malone and Emmy Reeves were childhood best friends. They were also next door neighbors. They had a deep connection even as children. But when they were seven, Grant learned a secret about Emmy. A secret he wasn't able to keep to himself because even then he was a protector and his girl was being hurt and in trouble. But Emmy saw it as a betrayal and she and her mom left town after it was all over. Now its years later, Grant and Emmy are mature adults but there are past issues between them to be resolved. When Grant sees Emmy and she runs away from him, he is determined to reconnect with Emmy and see why she is back and why she would run from him of all people. But Emmy has walls around her heart, she shields herself from anything that could risk her having to trust Grant again, she is still hurt by his betrayal and it has shaped her all of these years. But Grant is determined to win his girl no matter what it takes. But will Grant and Emmy be able to resolve the past mistakes and find a future together as both have always dreamed of?
What I Loved
This book was delicious in every way, I absolutely adored every single moment between these two! K. Bromberg definitely knows how to write such a solid story and she entertains so much. Reading this trilogy is making me realize how much I adore her books and her writing style and why she always works for me. Cuffed is a story where we really get to see the oldest in his prime and see how he and his girl are brought together. We get some flashbacks but honestly I didn't mind them at all. And I normally hate flashbacks, they were just really short and seemed to blend so well with the story that I barely even noticed them. And this is the type of second chance romance setups I actually really love to see and definitely makes sense in how its written as these two were seperated through outside forces and it happened when they were children.
I really found their dynamic so fascinating though. Their bantering was delicious, hilarious and lively. They are opposites in many respects, but they know how to fight so well and really have this healthy competition with each other that was amusing at its core. They both give and take and never back down from what they believe in. They have powerful chemistry that lights a fire on the page but have such poignant moments between them that just tie them on deep entrenching levels, which as a reader, you will become addicted to. They have serious issues to work through in this story though. There is pain and regrets that stand in the way of their HEA and I really enjoyed seeing how it all plays out in the end.
We also see a bit of a side story with Grant and a case that he is working on that really makes sense over the guilt he has over what happened with Emmy when they were children. I really enjoyed the multi dimensional layers that we see within his character and seeing him face up to his own pain that cost him his best friend because he wanted to do the right thing so she could be safe even if it cost him her friendship and love. Emmy has her own reservations to deal with, she has many trust issues that she needs to resolve and unanswered questions that being with Grant will lead to getting for her and so that she receives the closure that she needs to heal fully.
Both the characters have such solid strengths that have made them into people of drive and fortitude in their lives and seeing them let go of the barriers and show each other their vulnerabilities and be real with each other on deeper levels is what elevated this book to such a high rating for me. Their connection is so vibrant especially when they let go of past barriers and that ending....EPICALLY BEAUTIFUL!
What I Struggled With
There wasn't much that I actually struggled with. I didn't seem to understand the heroine though in some of her actions though, especially in the beginning. Her character might turn off some readers.
Overall View
Cuffed is a sensational romance that digs deep into serious issues, balanced out with charm and fun banter, and will deliver a satisfying gem of a romance!
Favorite Quote(s)
We forget the memories and just chase the moments.
Grant Malone seems to be the only one Iβll allow to upend my world. First to save me. And now to show me what itβs like to feel.
He brings calm to the chaos spinning out of control around me and within me. For the first time in a very, very long time, I allow myself to accept that. To accept him. To welcome it rather than push it away.
I stay like that for a few moments, caught between the push and pull of needing her to stay and never wanting her to feel pain again. Crushed by the realization that somehow Iβm the one causing the discord in her life.
My need to show her she isnβt alone, that sheβs beautiful inside and out takes hold.
Iβm riding a high like Iβve never known before. Cheating death. Proving to her I trust her. Facing a fear. Everything. And all I can think about is claiming the goddamn prize of Emerson Reeves because adrenaline definitely has my blood pumping and is intensifying my need to have her.
βIβve survived this far by closing myself off and not allowing myself to feel . . . and then you enter my life with your lights and sirens blazing, and itβs as if youβve handcuffed me so that I canβt escape from you.
Youβre not alone anymore, Emerson. You never were.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Law Enforcement, Dare Devil, Alpha Mellow, Protector
Themes: All the Feels, Childhood Ties, Family Bonds, All the Heart, PTSD, Tear Jerker, Witty Banter
Tropes: Second Chance
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict is more focused on that outer plot workings
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read these as standalones if needed.
Song This Book Inspires
There You'll Be by Faith Hill
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.Β