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A review by em_thebookish_girl
Bending to Break (A Before I Break Novel 1) by A.L. Hartwell
5.0
Bending To Break is A. L. Hartwell's debut novel and book #1 in the Before I Break series. It's a romantic suspense, enemies to lovers and dark romance navigated from the main characters' perspectives: Olivia and Luca's. I'm really impressed with how A. L. Hartwell executed this storyline!! I mean, I was pleasantly surprised because I did not expect the suspense to begin so early on! Ans as I continued reading, I was left with so many questions. I enjoyed the flow of events, especially when secrets slowly unravelled in front of my eyes. And the cliffhanger! My gosh! The last few pages definitely kept me on edge. Whisked away to Sicily, Italy, or more like kidnapped by our alpha hero Luca Caruso, (he can also be seen as a morally grey character) Olivia is being held against her will. She fought like hell to find a way out; to escape from her 'luxurious' prison. Hence, Olivia tried and failed to get out of the situation she is in. But she wasn't able to outrun Luca, after all, he is a very powerful and dangerous man; he has everything at his disposal. It took a while to understand Luca's actions; the reasons why he resorted to such lengths in taking/stealing Olivia. Luca had good intentions but he approached from the wrong angle. He had a lot of internal battles with himself and his control slipped when he was with Olivia; she pushed him by testing his boundaries. And he desperately tried to make Olivia see that he wasn't the enemy.
In the beginning, Luca was very evasive; not telling how he knew/met her or who he really is. And of course, Olivia didn't trust him. But she can't deny the fact she has a pull to him. There's an ever so present heated and electrifying chemistry between them. The more she fought him, Luca became more fascinated with her. He immensely enjoyed bringing out her spark/fire to the surface. And ultimately, he wants to break her; bending her to his will. But Olivia has no intention of doing so. Or so she thought. Ever since his path crossed Olivia's eight years ago, she became an obsession for him. Despite being in this complicated situation, Olivia's perspective on Luca slowly changed. All her emotions went haywire and she couldn't comprehend how the sudden shift occurred. I liked seeing their relationship evolving, especially towards the end of the book.
A crime boss and a lawyer. For the past eight years, Luca was watching and protecting Olivia from afar. Patiently waiting to set his plans into motion. Olivia is a young and driven lawyer; she's at the starting point of her career. She wants to do good in the justice system, but lately, she's questioning herself. When her firm handled a particular case where the client they represented got a "slap on the wrist" punishment, Olivia can't hack it anymore. She had enough of seeing all the injustices where the privileged and wealthy got away unscathed from the crimes they committed. And before it hits her, Olivia's life is about turn upside down.
**I received a gifted ebook copy in exchange for my honest review
In the beginning, Luca was very evasive; not telling how he knew/met her or who he really is. And of course, Olivia didn't trust him. But she can't deny the fact she has a pull to him. There's an ever so present heated and electrifying chemistry between them. The more she fought him, Luca became more fascinated with her. He immensely enjoyed bringing out her spark/fire to the surface. And ultimately, he wants to break her; bending her to his will. But Olivia has no intention of doing so. Or so she thought. Ever since his path crossed Olivia's eight years ago, she became an obsession for him. Despite being in this complicated situation, Olivia's perspective on Luca slowly changed. All her emotions went haywire and she couldn't comprehend how the sudden shift occurred. I liked seeing their relationship evolving, especially towards the end of the book.
A crime boss and a lawyer. For the past eight years, Luca was watching and protecting Olivia from afar. Patiently waiting to set his plans into motion. Olivia is a young and driven lawyer; she's at the starting point of her career. She wants to do good in the justice system, but lately, she's questioning herself. When her firm handled a particular case where the client they represented got a "slap on the wrist" punishment, Olivia can't hack it anymore. She had enough of seeing all the injustices where the privileged and wealthy got away unscathed from the crimes they committed. And before it hits her, Olivia's life is about turn upside down.
**I received a gifted ebook copy in exchange for my honest review