Reviews

The Heartbreaker by Claire Contreras

eo23's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

alesiagalati's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I don't know why I've been sleeping on Claire Contreras for so long. This book was the perfect palate cleanser I needed. The characters were great and I loved their banter. 

What to expect: 
Latinx characters
The college experience
Roommates
We hooked up that one time
You dated my enemy
It's always been you

 This book definitely has

  a miscommunication induced 3rd act breakup

so keep that in mind, but I feel like that's fairly typical for a romance written in 2021.

beckyrendon's review against another edition

3.0

Cruzing for forever

The Heartbreaker definitely is an apt description. Too bad, you assumed its meaning. The Cruz boys are a dangerous combination to the female population.

Sexy sporty goodness in tightly packed bodies screams take me...or take one for the team.

Jagger is more than his cover and for that I am greatful. I just wish he got out of his own way. Frustration aside, this story ends happily ever after and with a teasing hope for Mav and Mitch's stories.

tamara_loves_reading's review against another edition

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I missed something in this book. I don‘t even get their past? They never really talked about why the contact four years ago. Their casual thing was kind of odd. The end was too fast, the middle too slow without any admitting their feelings to each other ever. Than he kissing this girl but it didn‘t really matter to her. Hmmm. I don‘t know how to feel about this book. 

gabbysreading's review against another edition

4.0

If you're looking for an easy to read, new adult, college sports romance filled with angst, steam and second chance pining, then I highly recommend The Heartbreaker by Claire Contreras. I adored this book. Josephine and Jagger's story provided all the hate to love back and forth banter I love so much. As well as the delicious tension only a forced proximity could create. Some of the miscommunication is probably my only complaint. I could have done without most of it. It was a little eye roll inducing. But other than that, I really liked this book.

The Heartbreaker reminds me of the new adult romances I read when I began reading the genre and that makes my heart happy. It's exactly the light, steamy, sweet read I needed. I can't wait to read more from this world. I need more of those Cruz boys.

aporter0522's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved The Heartbreaker!!! Claire’s writing always pulls me in and keeps me totally wrapped up until I finish her books! You meet Jo and Jagger in this story. Their attraction is instant however there are obstacles they both must face. Jo’s headstrong personality is very fitting for her. Jagger is most definitely the alpha male. I absolutely loved the whole family dynamic involved in this story. I loved absolutely everything about Jo and Jagger’s story!

nikkieliz13's review against another edition

3.0

⎯» Rating: 3 Stars

⎯» Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

⎯» POV: Dual—First Person

❥

This book places emphasis on the quantity of college drama and relationship angst, rather than story quality—perfect for those looking to enjoy a book on a superficial level. Sadly, I had a difficult time ignoring the plot holes, nonsensical storylines, and almost nonexistent character development.

The Car Accident Plot Doesn’t Make Sense

Spoiler

Lawrence was the one behind the wheel when he and Jo got in the car accident. He was sober and Jo wasn’t—which was why he was the one driving. Jo mentioned that the cause of the accident was Lawrence losing control of the car, but it was never actually clarified if he lost control because he was driving recklessly or not. What I’m getting at is, why was Lawrence’s future career in the NFL at risk due to the accident if he wasn’t drinking and driving, or driving recklessly (again, the author never clarified this). I just don’t understand why Jo would feel the need to take the fall for an accident that was no one's fault.

Jo & Jagger’s Past Relationship was Irrelevant

Spoiler

The hero and heroine’s feelings for each other were built over the course of them growing up together, since their families are close friends. Despite knowing this, we’re never told what type of relationship Jo and Jagger had back then. I don’t know what their dynamic was then, but their dynamic now was superficial. They never really connected on an emotional level.

❥

⎯»Extra Information

•Series or Standalone:

Standalone

•HEA:

Spoiler

Yes

•Cliffhanger:

No

•Relationship:

M-F Romance

•Tropes:

➢ College Romance
➢ Sports Romance
➢ Enemies-to-Lovers
➢ Family-Friends-to-Lovers
➢ Reluctant-Roommates
➢ Friends-with-Benefits
➢ Heroine’s Cheating Ex is Hero’s Rival
➢ H/h Wrongly Assume Their Feelings are Unrequited
➢ Misunderstandings/Assumptions Angst
➢ Player Hero w/ Feelings for Heroine

•Triggers:

Spoiler

Cheating, car accident

•Sexual Content:

Sex on page (pretty mild)

❥

Side Note: I realized that I’ve previously read another of this author’s books, [b: Kaleidoscope Hearts (Hearts, #1)]. This was back in 2016, so I don’t remember the plot or characters, but I do remember that I enjoyed it. Knowing this, I’d be open to reading other works by the author in the future.

bookish_kayy's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyable

Jag & Jo were definitely a little tumultuous. Lots of misfires, preventing them from getting their shot. I definitely wanted some sort of comeuppance for the guy with the serious misdeeds, and I think Jag & Jo glossed over important things that deserved more of a conversation,but it did hit all my highlights.
Definitely a slower pace, at least as far as the romance goes.
I’m definitely curious about the other Cruz brothers.

mauryneiberg18's review against another edition

2.0

College sports romances just don't do it for me. The big sports-related or BMOC-related conflicts just don't do it for me. This was fine, but didn't really break out of the genre. Rich kids doing rich kids stuff. Yawn

gretareadsromance's review against another edition

5.0

The Heartbreaker was the perfect quick read that I needed.

Jagger Cruz, football star, and Josephine were childhood friends. When a chance meeting in college throws them together for a night these two become more enemies than friends. After a few years of avoidance they randomly become roommates and ignoring is no longer an option. While I feel like the reason for the avoidance was never fully explained I loved these two together. After I finished I just felt good about the book and really enjoyed their story. I loved the secrets shared and long talks they only trusted each other with. There were sweet moments and messy moments and definitely steamy moments. A great romance for those who love a second chance!