I just couldn’t connect with this one also. It felt different then the previous ones and it’s like a two in one, since this is two guardians being woken and the 7 warden found in Paris. Will the world be saved??

Picked this book up on a lark and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the last book in the series and can technically be read as a standalone. I had no issues picking up what happened in the previous books. What is more interesting to me is that I enjoyed reading the last one because it brought the series to a conclusion without me having to wait to read about the others. After reading this book, it does make me want to go back and read about the other Guardians.

As a fan of Gargoyles, this series works for me. Learning about how the Guardians come to be and how they need to be brought to life by their special one is captivating. Even though this book ends with defeating their arch nemesis, I still feel as though the story isn't finished. Ivy is the last gifted brought in. The pattern is startling clear. Someone specifically sabotaged the society to protect humans. In someways, their arrogance was their undoing as this allowed many talented female to be excluded from a mass killing. Saved in reserve due to ignorance and considered irrelevant, Ivy is at the right place at the right time. She may think she is losing her mind, but she's actually able to apply her unique skills.

Baen is the last guardian to awaken. Centuries have passed and this new world is both exciting and confusing. Ivy is definitely one who attracts his attention no matter her protests. She is the one for him and he'll convince her of it. Their interactions are amusing in the men are from Mars and women are from Venus way. Still, Baen got off easy as he meets some of his brethren who have even more difficult women.

The characters in this story are fun. Some are spunky; others are more staid. Whilst there is great urgency to stop the villains, at times it felt like Ivy didn't fully understand how dire the situation has become. It isn't till near the end she seems to wake up and understand how critical of a part she plays. This is a bit frustrating because I wanted to shake her so many times. Her constant depreciation of her abilities becomes tedious. The big fight at the end is just right and brings this six series saga to a conclusion, yet I did not feel closure. I think it's because the world is in a disarray. Does the magical society get rebuilt? And if so, how? What happens next?

This paranormal romance is recommended to Buffy lovers and those who love Gargoyles.

gargoyles.. enough said right.. lol i love gargoyles and this one was a really good story... i really loved how the mates happened.. i loved their love and the mystery involved.. i loved everything.. amazing!

This last book (?) in the gargoyle series certainly ties up all the loose ends nicely. If you’re joining this story at its conclusion (maybe), you should really dive back in where it all began.

This book joins the guild in a rather unique way. Rather than starting with all the knowledge afforded to other participants, Ivy was thrust into the role of rescuer after her family was murdered. Her gift gave her a front row seat to the horrors that the bad guys can inflict, and that drove her to train to become a sort of witness protection program to wardens who want to be saved. It’s during one of these operations that things go wildly wrong. While under attack and getting ready to put up one hell of a fight, a Guardian suddenly awakes to save her.

Ivy might not know what’s going on, but Baen has the benefit of the shared memories of his brothers (and sister). She doesn’t even know the story of the maidens, which plays such a vital role in the subsequent events. Baen, however, is quick to realize that the woman who woke him is his mate. Sure, she might resist him, but fate certainly has other plans. The sizzling chemistry between them is no different from the other couples we’ve met along the way. Ivy is hesitant, however, to let down her guard where it counts. She can’t seem to wrap her brain around the fact that she might be in a relationship with a Guardian.

While the series has been building up this battle against the bad guys (which I guess they seem to be losing), the big battle scene really sneaks up on you. We were in the last little bit of the book before the battle even started, making it feel a little rushed to resolution. I hope there are more books set in this world, but they definitely did a good job in making sure everyone is in a good place for an ending.

This is the sixth book in Christine Warren's Gargoyle series. Ivy is a phenomenal, strong female character that has doing what she can for the Wardens after her uncle and cousin are killed. She's a part of an underground movement to help smuggle hunted Wardens to safety. Little did she expect a Guardian to awaken and claim that she's his Warden, since women are NOT wardens only the men of the family line are.

Baen has awakened from his slumber to fight evil, only to discover that the line of wardens has been broken, five of the seven demons have arisen and and they now have to scramble to stop the current plot. All the while, the two must navigate feelings for one another and come to terms with the new reality that they have stepped into. Never before have five evils one been successfully brought forth and they must stop the sixth and seventh from rising and beat back the first five. Can they stop the Paris attack, save the wardens and prevent total destruction?

I have not read such an amazingly fantastic paranormal romance in such a long time! To top it off it was suspenseful as well! I have never read this author before and came into this series late so I know this book is a standalone. I am desperate to go back and read the others just because I loved this book so hard. The plot was so amazingly imaginative. I have never read anything close to it and that makes it even better. I was completely riveted. These characters were complex, sexy and fun to follow through their adventure. Ivy was a spitfire and I loved her to pieces. Baen was the best. I couldn't get enough of him. I am hooked now and can never go back. The plot was intricate and had so much going on. It kept me glued to the pages. I couldn't set it aside. I very highly recommend it.

This is the story of Ivy and Baen and the ongoing battle between those who fight for the Light and the sinister Order. With the threat of the Seven (demons who, if released from their hell prisons, will combine forces and destroy and enslave the world) becoming more and more likely, Ivy has abandoned her blissfully ignorant civilian life and dedicated herself to finding the few Wardens still left alive and getting them safely to the last safe haven for them in France.

After losing her cousin and uncle to the Order's ruthless killers, Ivy hopes her small part in fighting back will make up for the guilt she feels for not being able to help her family when they most needed it. Her gift of clairaudial empathy allows her to hear people, usually during emotionally charged moments. But she only hears things as they are happening and she can't interact with the people which makes her feel that her gift is more of a curse.

Although she grew up hearing stories of the legendary wardens and the Guardians, Ivy never once thought she would one day summon a warrior to help her fight against the darkness. Baen is one of the seven stone guardians and when things get a bit dicey, Baen awakens to aide Ivy when she is ambushed by the Order's minions.

Finding out she's a warden and that the fight against the Darkness is a lot closer than anyone assumed, is pretty bad but finding out your fate has been irrevocably tied to a stony hottie with plans of forever, is a whole other matter.

What I liked about it:
The story is definitely moving towards the big finale and I can feel how epic-ally kick ass it's going to be and Ivy and Baen's adventure fuels the fire and keeps the anticipation high. The action and suspense is alive and kicking and it definitely helped to have a semi reunion with the rest of the Guardians. I loved catching up with the other couples and seeing their family dynamic take shape.

Romance-wise, I though Baen was an amazing H, he was thoughtful, caring and decisive. No beating around the bush or hesitation for him. He knew that Ivy was his and he embraced her 100%. The advice from his brothers and sister helped him transition from protector to helpmate when it came to Ivy. He is my favorite type of Hero. He might be broody and a man of few words but he makes those few count and his actions speak louder than words.

And I love the way the Guardians are so literal and how modern day slang or references completely go over their heads. It cracks me up every time it happens. I'm a sucker for it :)

What I didn't like:
It's hard to explain but Ivy was a hard character to pin point. In the beginning we see her as a pretty bad ass chick. Not everyone would leave her nice safe life behind to literally put her soul in danger to try and save the world but Ivy does it without a single flutter of indecision. But than Baen enters the picture and all of a sudden she's maybe yes but then no, maybe yes again but really no again. Her moods and train of thought when it came to her true feelings for Baen caused some serious whiplash. She had some valid points for not immediately falling into line when it came to Baen being her mate but I felt bad for Baen every time Ivy doubted their connection. Every time she down played her feelings and disregarded Baen's was some heavy stuff to read through. Yes it paved the way for some awesome dialogue about Fate but it seemed that it was at the cost of Baen's very real emotions.

Favorite Lines:
"Fighting Fate is not a bad thing. In fact, I believe that Fate wants us to struggle against it, for if we accept it too quickly, it can see that we may lack the strength for what it has planned.

"...if Fate insists on guiding us along a certain path even after we resist, it is not because it wishes to trap us, but because it knows that the place it guides us toward is the place we will best be able to become our true selves. In other words, Fate does not wish to be humanity's puppet master, only our treasure map.

Memorable Moments:
Any time Baen and the other Guardians were in the same room together. I loved reading about them!

Such a great book. I loved everything about it. This was a new author for me and they didn't disappoint.

Book 6 in the Series . I love the Authors paranormal stories. I have book 1 and 2 in paperback.
This is a story about humans not losing hope and giving in to the darkness always look for Gods light .

Hero is Baen a supernatural Gargoyle . Heroines Ivy .
In the series there are 7 Gargoyles that are summoned to protect the world from the darkness trying to take over . Once the darkness is defeated the protectors are again asleep 😴. After a while the protectors are put To sleep again . In the first 2 books the Gargoyles found their mates. In this one Ivy is a clairaudio and she happens to fall into Baen. An because Fate is like she is Baen awakens. There was no reason for Baen to awaken their is not a threat to the world yet. Little do the Guardians and the Wardens know that in Paris the darkness is gaining stealth and with some darkness power the darkness is trying to summon the last demon .
I real love the Authors paranormal storytelling. I was able to get her other ones in paperback

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

This book was packed with action, suspense, and romance. Ivy Beckett was a great character, she was trying her best to save the world but refused to accept all of herself. I also liked Baen, he was 100% manly, showing up when she was facing sure death and saved the day.

Overall I liked that there was a balance between the two of them, this kind of...give and take between their characters where one picked up where the other was not as strong and made the other stronger. While Gargoyles are not 100% my fav this book had me looking for what else Christine Warren had in store.....(hint hint 'Baby, I'm Howling for you' started today and will finish today!)

This was the last book in the series and the first book of the series that I’ve read. I didn’t have any issues with following along with the story, and it easily can be considered a standalone. Ms. Warren has a knack for writing exceptional Paranormal Romance and Hard Breaker is a fantastic read. I would consider it a definite must-read, and I’ll be going back to read the rest of the series.

I'm sad to see this series end but I think Ms. Warren did an excellent job of wrapping everything up all while giving us a very enjoyable story. I love Ivy and Baen together. I do recommend reading the other books in the series just so you know who the characters are and what's going on/why things are how they are.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My opinions and reviews are honest and my own.

Hard Breaker was an excellent, fast-paced read. I can definitely see the potential for a full series and would love to read more about the other couples in this book. Ms. Warren never fails to deliver an excellent, richly detailed story.

Great New-to-Me Author

The action-packed fast moving pace of the story is what kept me tied to this story overall! Excellent writing there! Though, I found Baen and Ivy's story engaging and intriguing, their chemistry took some time to heat up for me, But by the end, it was beautiful to see how his overprotective, possessive yet patience with her combined with her sarcastic,. dive-in-first way to make them a great couple. As a new reader to Ms. Warrens work and this series I will definitely going to look into reading the rest!.

Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to review this story!

As a new reader to this series, I fell in love with Ivy and Baen. I’m not sure if it was necessary to have read the others but I would say it could have only enhanced the read. I found beauty, fascination, and depth to the Gargoyles that I was introduced to. I found a strong read for the mixing of romance and paranormal. Watching Ivy and Baen fall in love and fight to save the world was for me special.

I was engaged with this read from the start. When I picked it up it was hard to put it down. This from someone that had never picked up a book from Christine Warren. I found the topic of romance between gargoyles and humans enough to lure me in. The pacing was great. The heat, passion, chemistry, action, drama were all I could want and then some. There was much in this one book to have me wanting to go back to the beginning and read the series from the start.

Guardian gargoyles, demons, murder, magic, mayhem, humans, war, protection, fear, salvation, banter, conflict, connection. All these things were found and enjoyed.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I don’t know if I can write this review. When I finished Hard to Handle, I didn’t know how Warren could hope to outdo herself. And yet she did, but I can’t tell you how she did it because I will not be the one who ruins the twists and revelations that made my jaw drop – literally – while reading Hard Breaker. As much as I enjoyed the introduction of the first female Guardian in the previous book, I loved that Warren returned to the male Guardian, female witch formula for this installment because it not only keeps Ash and Drum’s story special, but Ivy’s experiences serve to remind readers why the Guild’s misogyny and complacency contributed to the current state of affairs and the rise of the Darkness and the nocturnis.

Like some of the previous witches, Ivy gets pulled into the Light’s fight against the Darkness due to a familial connection – her Warden uncle and his apprenticing son are attacked by the nocturnis and perish. Similar to Wynn’s experience, she witnessed their death – so to speak – via her power, clairaudience, and while she may not have the visual memories of their murder Wynn does, she has the auditory memory of it – which to me, may be worse because that leaves her imagination to fill in the visuals based on what she heard that night. Because of that, she threw herself into an effort to transport the remaining Guild members to safety and away from the nocturnis and it is during one of these missions that she unknowingly wakes Baen from his slumber. While the story follows the expected formula of the witch resisting the pull between her and the Guardian and refusing to accept the fated mate bond between them is real, Warren keeps the story fresh, in my opinion, because Ivy’s issues are unique to Ivy, and Baen at least has some “helpful” guidance from his brothers and sister who have already been through that dance with their mates.

As for the rest of the story, I cannot say much because everything I want to talk about is a spoiler on some level. Baen is reunited with his siblings and Ivy learns to tap into her natural magic by working with the other witches. There is plenty of action and adventure throughout the book as Ivy and Baen, as well as the others, are forced to take on the nocturnis as they again seek to call forth another of the seven demons. But the twists… oh, the twists, had my head spinning because I NEVER saw them coming. And the biggest twist? Stunned, I say, absolutely stunned. If you’re a fan of the series, you are not going to want to miss this one. I was glued to my Kindle from start to finish, devouring the book in a single afternoon. If you haven’t yet started this series, don’t start here because far too much is revealed in this installment and you really need to start at the beginning, so you can fully appreciate the lengths the Guardians and the Wardens have gone to to save humanity. Hard Breaker was a blast and I cannot wait to read Warren’s next book!

I can't believe this series is already over. I really enjoyed this series and love that the hero's are a little different in the paranormal world. I've had a thing for Gargoyle's since the cartoon came out. Love them! Just the thought of them turning to stone by day. Now, these don't do that they are stone till they are needed.

Oh boy were these guys needed.

Since the first book, Heart of Stone I've been hooked and wanted more. The author does a wonderful job tell all her gargoyles stories. I really can't tell you which one is my favorite but for review purposes lets go with this one.

I totally loved Hard Breaker. Just the title alone gave me some naughty thoughts. After I start the book I was then getting naughty thoughts about Baen. Oh boy! Right away you knew he was like the other gargoyle, hot, sexy and totally alpha. I connected with him right away.

You will also enjoy and connect with Ivy. You feel really bad for her with her gift. Talk about a gift being a burden. This one is at times. One major time for her that's for sure.

I felt that these two worked together, they added so much to the main story like that is a thread in all the books. The author picked great characters to end this series with. I felt very satisfied with the ending and can't wait to see what the author comes up with next?

I really think you should give this series a try. Make sure to read the books in order so that each other will be a richer for it.

I love this saga. I think I’ve never read about gargoyles before I started these books. And I’ve fallen in love with with each and every one of them. Some have been better than others, since I could feel a connection with the main character, but all the same, they’ve been delightful. I’d like to know more about Rose and co, but who knows, maybe we have an extra book. It’s been a great finale, a bit shorter than I expected, but great nonetheless. My problem now is that I can’t find a similar saga to read!

Hard Breaker by Christine Warren is book Six in the "Gargoyles" series. This is the story of Ivy and Baen. Since enjoying the other books in the series, I wasn’t sure what I would find with book 6 --The cover is great and goes with the series perfectly. There is a huge steam/sizzle factor in this book and there is a lot of action/violence so FYI. Ivy and Baen as well , as well as others introduced are new in this book which gives a freshness factor. Having Baen as the Gargoyle really made a lot of sense and I loved it for he fit the part perfectly. His protectiveness towards Ivy was spot on and he acted all alpha male and was strong and tall, which again is perfect for what a gargoyle should be. Ivy was all sassy and stubborn but what better way for Baen and her to have their fiery battles while battling the evil. Plus there was a great point when we got to see all the Gargoyles and their mates when they battled the bad bad evil. I do wish that there was an epilogue because its as if this was the final book in the series , but the way the book ended, could be maybe the series could be picked back up and written more of later so that is confusing. I loved this series and hope this isn’t the end. I would love to know what happened to everyone since there wasn’t a firm ending for this series. Otherwise, perfect chemistry between the MCs and I loved the secondary characters in this book.

My Rating: 4.4 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book at no cost for an honest review***