A gut-wrenching sad opening to this fascinating facade of a tale where people good and evil roam the mighty seas.
Extremely interesting characters that took me on a journey across land and sea with many heroing moments that had me laughing, terrified, swooning, frustrated, and more before Fionola and Charles accomplished their successful mission of saving her twin brother Liam and ending this amazingly enjoyable romance with a very rewarding ending.

❤️A book I will remember and re-read time and again. ❤️

*The Broken and the Bold* by Leslie Vollard is a masterfully written and emotionally gripping romance that goes far beyond surface-level love, digging into deep themes of vulnerability, redemption, and the courage to face one’s darkest fears. Vollard has created a beautifully layered story with characters who feel raw, real, and utterly unforgettable.

**Plot:** This captivating novel centers on Calla Reeve, a fiercely independent woman who has spent years building emotional walls to protect herself, and Jameson Wilder, a brooding but deeply honorable former soldier haunted by his past. When Calla and Jameson’s paths cross unexpectedly, their undeniable connection pushes them into each other’s lives in ways that are as tumultuous as they are transformative. Vollard’s storytelling is richly textured, with each chapter revealing new layers of both Calla and Jameson’s struggles and desires. The plot is perfectly paced, balancing action and emotion with moments of reflection, creating a narrative that’s as heart-pounding as it is poignant.

**Main Character Analysis:** Calla is one of those heroines you can’t help but root for. She’s tough, guarded, and resolute, yet there’s a soft vulnerability beneath her defenses that makes her journey toward love feel genuine and hard-won. Her independence isn’t a front; it’s something she’s cultivated to survive, which makes her slow surrender to love all the more meaningful. Jameson, on the other hand, is the embodiment of strength tempered by suffering. His painful past and his search for redemption give him a gravity that is both tragic and compelling. Watching him learn to trust Calla, and seeing her begin to rely on him in return, is profoundly satisfying.

**Romance and Chemistry:** The passion between Calla and Jameson is electrifying. Vollard captures their chemistry in a way that feels raw and authentic, with every glance, every touch carrying an emotional weight. Their journey from wary allies to intense lovers is filled with tension and moments of quiet vulnerability, making the romance all the more memorable. I would rate the chemistry a full 5/5 — every scene they share is charged with an intensity that leaps off the page.

**Favorite Romantic Quotes:**
- “His hand found hers, and in that simple touch, she felt a promise: that maybe, just maybe, two broken souls could make each other whole again.”

- “He kissed her like she was his salvation, as if her very presence could erase the shadows he carried within him.”

Vollard’s writing is lyrical and deeply romantic, adding a poetic quality to each intimate moment.

**Main Conflict and Resolution Analysis:** The central conflict revolves around both characters’ struggle with their own pasts and the vulnerability required to open themselves up to love. Calla’s fierce independence and Jameson’s survivor’s guilt form a barrier that both strengthens and complicates their bond. Vollard expertly balances this inner conflict with the external challenges they face, keeping readers deeply invested in the outcome. The resolution is both heartfelt and realistic, with both Calla and Jameson making choices that feel true to who they are. By the end, their love feels not only believable but inevitable.

**Ending:** The ending delivers a sense of peace and fulfillment that feels richly deserved after the emotional journey these characters have taken. Vollard avoids over-sentimentality, instead opting for a quietly powerful conclusion that resonates long after the final page.

In summary, *The Broken and the Bold* is a remarkable romance filled with intensity, passion, and characters who will linger in your heart. Leslie Vollard has created a story that is both a beautiful love story and a deeply human exploration of what it means to heal and be whole. Highly recommended!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | 2024 Top 10 Books Contender 🏆🏆


📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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Fionola has been living a double life disguised as a male captain of a ship that's searching for her brother who's been taken captive. She teams up with Charles, a man who uses to be on the same ship as her brother.
At first Charles doesn't realize her true identity,but when he does, sparks fly. These two have great chemistry. There's tons of danger and the bad guy in this tale is very bad. It has a HEA, of course! And Fionola never has to give up her true self or identity even being married and a mother.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Adventures on the high seas. When I was a kid, I loved movies about heroes on the high seas, so this story immediately had my interest. The story takes you through a lot of emotions, sadness, laughter, aah moments, anger and more. The characters Fionola and Charles are fantastic together. Fionola is determined to find and save her brother and Charles has agreed to help. There are pirates (my favorite if they are good guys), action and great chemistry. Will they succeed in their mission? Will they find happiness and peace or will they continue to travel the high seas. Don't miss out on this splendid adventure!

This is the third book in a series, but it's fine as a standalone. It's been a long time since I've read a HR set on the high seas, and a very long time since I've read a HR set in the Middle Ages. Some of the OTT aspects of this are fun, and the storyline is pretty engaging, but there's a lot of disbelief to suspend and a few scene inconsistencies, along with occasionally blatant anachronisms that may (?) be intentionally humorous (turned on by MMC's talent with a bow, MFC could "eat him with a spoon"). The steam is on the insta-lusty side and I really didn't connect with the MFC much. There are interesting historical details and ideas but I do wish this had been a bit grittier and more realistic.

Pirates, Deception, Quest, Finding Love:
A gut-wrenching sad opening to this fascinating facade of a tale where people good and evil roam the mighty seas.
Extremely interesting characters that took me on a journey across land and sea with many heroing moments that had me laughing, terrified, swooning, frustrated, and more before Fionola and Charles accomplished their successful mission of saving her twin brother Liam and ending this amazingly enjoyable romance with a very rewarding ending.
💋Adult Advisory🔥🔥+

Thank you for an early copy. This is the third book of this series. It's a fantastic love story with pirates and the great seas. Definitely would recommend

The ending was so beautiful it made me tear up! Loved this book, a dashing story of the Captain and the man who loved her. I loved how Charles continued to call her Captain even after they were married! If you like strong independent women who command respect and are the best swordsman around, you'll love this story! 🌶️🌶️/5