Some of Ronica Black's stories aren’t that good but every once in a while she writes a story that shines. Vaughn Ruger owns and operates her horse ranch and not all that great. Two of her ranch hands she’d let go mainly because they didn’t think they had to work every day. So now she, along with her grandmother, are trying to find some extra hands. Running a horse ranch was a lot of work.
What do you do when you’re in an abusive relationship? Well Natalie Brewer knew it was her time to go, get away from her husband and try making a life for herself. She takes a car, some money and starts driving. She get lost, somehow and the car breaks down. Hot can’t begin to describe the mess she now found herself in.
When her car starts burning she’s at a loss. She knew her husband wouldn't just let her go so she had to find someplace safe to hide from him and the men who worked for him.
Luckily it’s at this time Vaughn drives by, turns around, goes back. She just can’t drive away, the woman might need help. This is how these two ladies meet but Ms. Black does a great job making their story a fun read. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

More of a thriller than a romance, this is a gripping book that I read in practically one sitting. Natalie is fleeing an extremely dangerous ex husband when her car blows up on a desert road near to the ranch Vaughn owns, she takes her in and with her grandmother June, their kindness helps Natalie heal. Will these three women get to live their life in peace or will the various abusive men, the ex and two disgruntled ex employees get in their way. There is a lot of the ex and his vile rationale, that isn't always comfortable reading. I guessed the ending and was much relieved when it came.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ronica Black and it started off strong, with great pacing and a chilling antagonist. However, I felt that the story began to drag towards the middle and the relationship between Natalie and Vaughn felt underdeveloped. There was plenty of time for the chemistry to develop, but it just never did and their first kiss and love scene just felt very ho-hum.

The last third of the book, while predictable, contained a decent amount of action and suspense and I found the ending satisfying. Overall this is a decent effort and I would give this author another chance to focus a little more on the romantic storyline and develop some more chemistry and a relationship between her leads.

Thanks to Bold Strokes and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my review.

The title Breakdown has a lot of meanings for this book. From an actual car breakdown that brings the two heroines together, to the breaking down of emotional walls built from cheating and hurt, to physically breaking down when pain becomes too much.

The story follows Natalie and Vaughn who meet by chance when Natalie's car breakdown after she tries to escape from a stalker sent by her abusive ex-husband and Vaughn takes her to her horse ranch to recuperate. What follows is a very rock path of healing for both of them, as they struggle to deal with outside forces and their own demons. They have supporters, namely Vaughn's aunt who is instantly charmed by Natalie and wants her niece to be happy again.

There is talk of domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, as well as animal neglect. Nothing super graphic or gratuitous, but just be warned.

I really loved this story, getting to see both women grow. Natalie especially I was rooting for as I've known too many people in a similar situation. This is a fairly quick read with just enough light and charm and laughs to help keep the darker aspects of the story from being overwhelming.

I like Ronica Black books and this was a solid read. The characters are well drawn, especially Vaughn and her pride (or stubbornness) and the grandmother June and her need to take care of everyone. When Natalie breaks down, Vaughn ‘rescues’ her and she stays on Vaughn and June’s ranch. Natalie is being stalked by her abusive ex-husband and he is a right wrong ‘un…

There’s a lot of good stuff in this book. The romance between Vaughn and Natalie develops very slowly and that fits the narrative because Natalie is still escaping one relationship and is nervous of jumping into another. Vaughn has been hurt in the past and sees Natalie as a temporary visitor.

The jeopardy comes from Natalie’s husband Allen but also two dodgy characters Vaughn had hired and then fired. There are moments of genuine angst and worry. And you read on wanting to know how all the threads will be resolved.

The ending felt very rushed and we aren’t really given enough time or information to get lost in it. The abrupt nature of the resolution sort of throws you out the story a bit.

Overall an interesting read with great characters and tackles issues that get you thinking.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

I say it’s solid 4 stars. I was a little hesitant first, as I hadn’t read anything from this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn’t yet go so far as to say I’m a fan, but I’ll definitely check out some other stories.
A neat, professional book. I really enjoyed the pacing. That’s a rare occurrence to say about a book. Nice build up. Maybe a little too quick at the finish line, but overall, very good. The story itself, I’d say believable for a book. Okay characters. Nothing stood out in a bad way. Maybe the two main characters could’ve had more scenes together, so we’d see them developing feelings. The way it is written, they are almost never together. But that’s just analyzing it after I’m done with the story, it’s not something that bothered me while reading. And the idea to end the story on the scene that it ends works really well for this book. I think that’s a perfect tie up.
It’s not a book that’s going to stay with me for a long time, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. Which wasn’t long cause it reads quite easy.
Recommend for someone who’s looking for a book that’s not too sweet, but who doesn’t want to be anxious either.

This was a good book. Suspenseful and a real page turner. Set on a horse ranch that is run by women. Danger and love awaits them as they find their way together.

Ronica is one of my favorite authors. However, I must say this one fell a little short for me. The chemistry between Vaughn and Natalie was not believable, and they didn't communicate a lot. I felt Grandma June and Natalie communicated and shared more in my opinion. I still recommend this slow burn romance as I'm positive it will appeal to someone else. 3.5 stars

Thank You NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC.

This slow burn read deals with some tough issues such as an abusive marriage, stalking, and finding a sense of self. Natalie Brewer, looking to flee an abusive marriage. Vaughn Ruger, mother, horse rancher, looking for a sense of calm in her life. The last thing she needs in her life is a crying woman but her mother has other ideas. She sees a women in need and cannot turn her away. As time passes a wonderful friendship develops among the women. There is much talk about delicious food. There is also much to appreciate and learn during this read. For example, there is no one way to deal with an abusive relationship. Allen, what a jerk. June, what a supportive grandmother. June, Natalie, and Vaughn are such liable characters. Nice read.

I have read several of Ronica Black's books previously and I have to say, this one does not measure up to the others. The main characters are Natalie, who is on the run from her abusive ex husband and Vaughn, a horse rancher, trying to save the family ranch and still harboring wounds from a past relationship that she won't let mend. I say won't mend because she refuses to open herself up to anyone. She doesn't talk about her feelings, she shuts down even to her adorable grandmother June, who plays a big role in the book. Mysteriously Natalie and Vaughn have a connection, though there is no indication Natalie has even been drawn to women before. The ex is a jerk, June is a badass and love prevails.

There is a romance and also the jeopardy of the baddy, who seemed a bit cartoonishly bad. I’m sure he will get his comeuppance.
The romance moves slowly, I'm not even sure friendship moves any faster. The writer periodically reminds us there is a jeopardy plot by showing us scenes of what is happening with the baddy, rather than it really impacting the mains. The problem is I want that plot to be resolved.
Well, there is 10 minutes reading left, and the romance plot kind of resolved but the two jeopardy plots outstanding…..
well, the tension came from 6 minutes left in the book, which was slightly distracting. I almost had one eye on the clock and one on the page.
I enjoyed the book but the romance didn’t wholly grab me, and the jeopardy plot didn’t wholly grab me but the book made me want to read to the end. Bits above 3 and bits upped to 3.

*The Breakdown* by Ronica Black is a gripping romance that weaves together suspense and emotional depth, delivering a story about survival, trust, and love in the face of danger. Natalie Brewer, having escaped an abusive marriage, finds herself on the run from her obsessive husband, Allen. Meanwhile, Vaughn Ruger, a struggling horse rancher, is barely holding her life together when she encounters Natalie stranded on the side of the road. Their chance meeting sparks an undeniable connection, but the intense circumstances surrounding them keep their attraction simmering just beneath the surface.

Black skillfully crafts a slow-burn romance amidst the tension of Natalie’s flight from her stalker, blending romance with a sense of urgency and peril. The chemistry between Natalie and Vaughn feels natural and deeply emotional, as both women find in each other the safety and understanding they need. Vaughn’s strength and determination are the perfect counterbalance to Natalie’s vulnerability, and together, they form a bond that gives them the courage to face their individual challenges.

As with her previous works, Black delivers an engaging and heartfelt romance with well-rounded characters who navigate very real, human issues. *The Breakdown* combines suspense, personal growth, and romance, making it a compelling read for fans of intense, character-driven love stories. Readers will be hooked by the emotional stakes and the powerful connection between Natalie and Vaughn, rooting for them as they fight for their love and safety in a world full of uncertainty.

Following Vaughn and Natalie The Breakdown is an emotionally charged read. Natalie's ex husband wont leave her alone so she flees and meets Vaughn.
There is a lot going on in the book with Natalie and her ex emotions are running high and Vaughn trying to keep her emotions at bay and keep her ranch running.
A good read thank you for advanced copy.

Hold on because The Breakdown by Ronica Black has a lot going on. Seen in 4 sometimes 5 different characters views, you get to see everything for each perspective.  I believe it added to the story and was easily followed along. 

This is a slow-burn. It took a while for the kiss, then longer for any other intimacies. However, they were earned. I feel as though the story was more focused on the mystery and chase than romance. 

I loved the premise. I enjoyed the book that Black wrote, and I will continue to follow her.  It was refreshing to read a story within my own state and be somewhat familiar with.

I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book, sometimes relatable but always gripping. Great read overall.

The story begins as Natalie Brewer runs from her abusive ex. Even with a restraining order she doesn’t feel safe. When her car breaks down she is taken in by Vaughn Ruger and her grandmother June. They run a struggling quarter horse ranch and are in need of extra help as two workers just left. Vaughn is willing to pitch in with work and uses her computer skills as well to improve the ranch's internet exposure.

The basics are all there for a potential romance with the added suspense troubles happening at the ranch. But I was frustrated with the lack of talking and interaction between Natalie and Vaughn. They both talk to grandma June and she shares her wisdom but it isn’t the same as building a romance. There is a lot of minutia of cooking meals, and taking care of horses. I think the sexual tensions could have been heightened by Vaughn teaching Natalie to ride or anything else that would bring them together more. It does bring attention to abusive exes and how little can be done to stop them. But that is a story I’ve read before. You may enjoy this is you like slow burn romances and like books with horses. I’ve read and enjoyed many of Black’s previous books and will continue to read future ones. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

This was a good book, that held my attention from beginning to end. This story does a great job of portraying the complex emotions and challenges of domestic abuse, this makes the main character who has PTSD feel more authentic. This is a slow-burn, second-chance romance and the two love interests were really compelling. The country setting was a great background for this story it just added more atmosphere. This was a story filled with violence, drama, angst, but it's also filled with resilience, passion, romance, and family. I would recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

This books deals with burning issues in society like mistreatment and abuse of foster kids or domestic violence and psychical and physical abuse by a partner. That alone gives the book some credit and should open up for a complex and suspenseful story line. A woman flees her abusive and controlling ex-husband and finds a safe haven in an idyllic horse farm run by two women, grandmother and granddaughter. Her ex-husband has her followed by investigators and his intentions are not good.

Unfortunately, this did not work very well, at least not for me. Whereas there is no question that controlling and abusive partners have a destructive and long-lasting impact on women, this is a path too well-trodden. Predictable, not engaging. The characters remain flat cliches. The evil ex, the spunky grand parent, etc. The narrative jumps between multiple points of view. The reader always knows who is thinking and planning what as the narrative proceeds, involving a lot of telling instead of showing. The main plot is filled out with repetitive, minute details of domestic life. Vegetables are chopped, tables are set, glasses are filled, dishes are washed, and so on. Without having any importance for the plot. This leads effectively to a very predictable, boring story with few twists and surprises.

On top of this, I stumbled over multiple editing problems which a careful proofreader should have caught. This includes many mixed-up homophones. Illicit instead of elicit, ring instead of wring, wrapped instead of rapped. There are also numerous sentences with strange grammatical constructs, missing quotes, or word omissions.

(Based on an ARC from NetGalley)

I really enjoyed this one, Natalie and Vaughn were both likeable characters which made them both easy to root for. They also worked really well as a couple, the instant attraction but slow burn worked well given Natalie's circumstances but I do think we could have had a little more romantic page time. Some more flirting and build-up because the switch-up was slightly abrupt. I mean we never really even get clarification as to if Natalie knew she was queer before meeting Vaughn.

I thought the plot with Allen was fairly well done but the ending felt very rushed, there was room for more drama and suspense. I mean we don't even get an explanation as to how or why Tito showed back up at the end and then we get a time jump. There's no real explanation as to what happened after the fact and this would have been the perfect time for some hospital angst.

The same goes with the plot of the ex-farm hands who were causing trouble on the ranch, which fizzled out and had no solid conclusion.

But overall this was a really great read, I'm a bit of a sucker for a sapphic butch x femme cowboy romance and this fit that brief closely enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc

Natalie’s ex husband has been trying to get her back even though she doesn’t want to. He’s having her followed and by chance she loses him. Now she finds herself at the mercy of horse rancher Vaughn with no ranching skills she’s still invited to stay.
Her ex hasn’t given up and he won’t until he finds her.
What’s Natalie to do when she knows he’ll find her and everyone at the ranch will be in danger.
Vaughn convinces her they’ll find a way even as their attraction grows.

Great story with strong characters and ranching situations.

Thank you #netgalley #boldstrokesbooks #thebreakdown for the ARC