REVIEW: Breaking His Rules by Alison Packard

Breaking His Rules by Alison Packard: Melissa Atherton knew what it was like to be an outcast. For most of her life she had been bullied because of her weight. Not surprisingly the person it hurt the most coming from though was her cousin, once part of the three musketeers, that made up her main circle of friends. So after becoming healthy there was no way she was going to not shine at this wedding.

Jake Sawyer had battled his weight growing up, but now was healthy and not only owned a gym but was a personal trainer as well. Of course he has some demons as well, not liking bullies of any sort ranks pretty high up there. He also has made some pretty serious rules for himself, including not dating clients. What happens though when that rule and his good hearted nature don’t mesh?

Jake and Melissa battle some pretty serious issues between themselves and what is pretty nice about the way this is written is the relationship. Not only do the readers get to see them work out issues on both the male and the female side they are treated to watching a real relationship develop. This isn’t just a oh wow Melissa lost a lot of weight, time to get her in bed and then be done, not even a get her into a relationship, but throughout the novel you are treated to the journey of falling in love even when those doing the falling don’t really listen to it. There are plot twists and things that make you sit up though so it’s not an easy path, but then in love is there ever?

This is part of Ms. Packard’s Feeling the Heat series but can be read as a stand alone, why you wouldn’t want to read the rest of them I’m not sure. She is fast becoming a go to author for the heart and the soul of her stories. For a real relationship and a true story this is a go to.

Book Info:

Publication: September 8th 2014 by Carina Press

Losing fifty pounds is an incredible achievement. But for Melissa Atherton, progress doesn’t come with praise—a scathing comment from an evil cousin at a bridal shower threatens to crush her new self-esteem. Who will she bring to the upcoming wedding? Showing up without a date would be humiliating. It just isn’t an option.

Personal trainer Jake Sawyer was attracted to Melissa before she lost weight, but her progress has him floored. When she admits she plans to hire a male escort—and why—his heart all but breaks. Melissa’s come too far to be knocked down, especially by her own family. He’ll go as her date…and figure out a way to keep his hands to himself.

But when a steamy hotel room encounter takes them both by surprise, Jake balks. He’s sworn never to date one of his clients, not again. And Melissa can’t bear to be just friends with the man who treated her so tenderly, even if it was only for a weekend. Jake’s helped her see she’s strong enough to stand up for herself, but will she find the strength to pursue the only man who’s ever seen the real her?