In Breaking Point by Lindsay McKenna, Bay is far way from her hillbilly roots, the roots that have grounded her and shaped who she is today. Bay is highly trained and skilled military. As a medic, she’s joining a team of SEALS already stationed in Afghanistan as part of a top secret project. There is open doubt and hostility to her presence by many of the team, but Bay sets out to prove the doubters wrong and show she’s an asset, not a liability.
Gabe, one of the few on the team who has no doubt in Bay’s abilities from the start, is assigned to mentor her. From the start, there is a niggle of attraction for Bay and Gabe. But in war, there is no room for love or relationships, nothing that can lead to mistakes. Neither one of them is able to admit to the attraction, they are busy fighting in a war for the better good. As Bay proves herself time and time again to the team and gains acceptance, Gabe’s admiration and attraction only grows. Both of them have love and lost, but when Gabe’s time is up in Afghanistan they can’t say good bye forever and make plans to meet up when Bay is on leave. Away from the ravages of war and uncertainty, will the feelings they have still be there? Does either of them want to take the risk?
Lindsay gives us a story with powerful emotions, strong characters, and vivid descriptions in Breaking Point. Lindsay will take you right there with Bay and Gabe, and have you feeling what they do. I love Bay’s character. She is strong and unapologetic about who she is and where she comes from. At the same time, her emotions and feelings, despite being surrounded by men, are all female. I like that she doesn’t have to try to be one of the guys, she just is who she is and this works. She is really an incredible and brave heroine, one you can easily love. She’s faced with what for many would be overwhelming challenges, but she rises to the challenges and overcomes them. Gabe is a total alpha hero in all the right ways. He’s sexy, strong and protective, but he gives Bay her space, accepts her completely, and respects her abilities. Bay and Gabe really have a rare connection, and their relationship and the progression of it is unique and very well written. They come from very different backgrounds, but are drawn together by the present. I really liked how Lindsay worked the main characters, but I won’t say anything more – you will have to read Breaking Point to know what I mean!
Lindsay has obviously done a tremendous amount of research for Breaking Point, and this shines through on every page as the harsh realities of war and the relationships formed during them are explored. Lindsay will pull you into Breaking Point and captivate you with her smooth writing, fast paced action, and the palpable attraction between Gabe and Bay.
Breaking Point is not only about the growing relationship/romance between Gabe and Bay, it is about war and it’s affect on humanity. I loved how Lindsay gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to be on the ‘other side’ as Gabe waits for Bay to return from Afghanistan, the worry he experiences, and the knowledge he has of what she’s going through.
Breaking Point is about working together, trust, faith, love and relationships in war and after you return home. I’d recommend Breaking Point to any romance reader who likes military romance or who has yet to try that genre. It is a story you won’t want to put down!
Book Info:
Published April 29th 2014 by Harlequin HQN
In the line of fire…
OPERATION SHADOW WARRIORS
An ongoing U.S. military experiment to test the integration of trained female military operatives in live combat scenarios…
The Alpha Platoon. A unit of Navy SEALs stationed in the unforgiving dryness of Afghanistan…who just learned that their newest team member is a woman. But Bay Thorn has a spine of steel—and the chops to prove it. Without a team to back her up, however, she’s dead in the water. And her only ally is Gabe Griffin, a lone SEAL who is lethal, dangerous and unbearably attractive….
Between the open hostility from her team and the harsh Al Qaeda territory, Gabe is a lifeline for Bay. But mutual respect quickly grows into mutual attraction. And with each day and every assignment, the longing only deepens.
They mustn’t speak of it. Mustn’t act on it. Because in this line of work, falling in love can get you killed…
