REVIEW: Unbroken by Maisey Yates

In Unbroken (Silver Creek #3) by Maisey Yates, severely injured 4 years ago, former rodeo super star Cade is still angry and not moving on. He’s living in the family home on the family ranch with his brother Cole and Cole’s family, working on the ranch, but not feeling like he’s going anywhere. As much as Cade has helped with the ranch behind the scene over the years, his brother still sees himself as the boss. Cade wants something that’s his or at least to have some input into the running of the ranch. He has ideas, but it’s a dream that’s going no where.

Amber has been Cade’s best friend forever it seems like. They have shared a lot over the years and know each other almost as well as they know themselves. Amber grew up in the foster system until coming to live in Silver Creek with her grandparents, and has never truly felt she belonged. With Cade she belongs and in brief, weak moments Amber acknowledges to herself Cade’s hotness, even if she doesn’t like how he’s always trying to help her or fix things. Amber wants to rely on no one. But when a former rodeo rival of Cade’s is suddenly harassing Amber and her grandfather, trying to buy her ranch, suddenly Cade is saving her again. Deciding he’s moving in with Amber and her grandfather and pretending to be her boyfriend, it’s not only Amber who will benefit…Cade might be saving himself too.

Soon all the togetherness might prove to be the undoing of Amber’s resolve to see Cade only as a friend. With everything that’s suddenly happening, they are becoming closer. Can they risk their friendship for something much more?

Unbroken is a friends to lovers romance, but as I delved deeper into the plot, I soon discovered many plot threads that made it so much more. I really liked that there was so much going on other than Amber and Cade’s relationship changes. They were dealing with this, family relationships and dynamics, small town gossip, and a mystery swirling around them. These different sub plots made Unbroken believable and realistic, because in real life there is always more than one thing to deal with at a time. Maisey wove everything together so well that the flow was smooth, the plot well paced, and the characters were compelling.

I saw a lot of character growth in Cade and Amber. Cade started out appearing very down on himself and his life, still angry about his life circumstances. At the same time he is protective and has a big heart. It was great to see him evolve into someone who finally has the courage and motivation to make the changes he needs to make to be happy, to live his life again. As insecure as Amber came across as at times, she plays a big part in Cade’s life and self improvement – whether or not she realizes it. Amber had a good life once she came to live with her grandparents, but she’s still running a bit scared. I like how Maisey brought them together and how they gave each other strength.

There are lots of secondary characters in Unbroken, and they all blend well with the story. I particularly enjoyed the side story of Nicole and John.

Unbroken is part of Maisey’s Silver Creek series, but can definitely be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, as it was for me. I would recommend Unbroken to romance readers who like a hot friends to lovers story with sub plots that complement the main story very well, and a bit of a mystery to add to the intrigue.

Book Info:

Published August 5th 2014 by Berkley Sensation | (Silver Creek #3)

In the latest Silver Creek romance from USA Today bestselling author Maisey Yates, former rodeo star Cade Mitchell may never ride again, but there are still a few things he can do—like care for the woman he loves.

Amber Johnson has always thought of her best friend Cade as an older brother. A really hot older brother. But growing up in foster care, she learned to rely only on herself. As much as she likes stealing glances at Cade’s chiseled jaw and painted-on jeans, she resents the way he swoops in like a superhero to fix things for her.

When former rodeo rival Jim Davis starts harassing Amber to sell her grandfather’s failing ranch, Cade swoops in once again. To send Jim on his way, Cade pretends to be Amber’s boyfriend, moving in to help fix the place up. With her grandfather behind the idea, Amber and Cade have to keep the charade going—whether she likes it or not.

But as their make-believe romance starts to heat up, maybe Cade and Amber will learn to admit that they both could use a little saving…