Title: Lawbreaker
Release: September 17, 2018
Authors: Kat Bastion with Stone Bastion
Genre: New Adult Romance
ISBN: 9780998232911
Cover Design: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations, Image provided by Love N. Books
Photographer: Rick Day
Model: Stuart Reardon
Reader Warning: You’ll need to buckle up and load up on snacks and energy drinks, because this baby clocked in at 112,000 words. But the heartwarming story is filled with adventure, dry humor, quick-witted banter, a touch of mystery, and a hard-earned happily ever after. 🙂
Blurb:
Raised on the streets, Shay Morgan yearns for a real family, where love is unconditionally offered—even when trust doesn’t come easy. Before that day arrives, she trespasses and steals in order to provide for the few people who’ve gone out of their way to protect her.
Born to privilege, Ben Bishop loathes his family for the despicable things they’ve done, and not done. He vows to be different, play by the rules, do the right thing. Building a thriving nightclub with those who share his values dominates his world.
One explosive night at his bar, Loading Zone, changes everything. For both of them. Forever.
A dance of opponents commences as they thwart with suspicion, start to trust, then sidestep to protect themselves from a fatal blow. Until they soon wonder if they’ve been fighting for the same side all along.
As they begin to open their hearts, they up the stakes with a one-week pact. She shows him the power in breaking the law. He demonstrates the virtue of following it.
Then a far-reaching crime is suddenly exposed—that his family committed. And for one chance moment, Shay and Ben hold the key to right the wrong, correct the injustice. But at what cost?
Will they be able to return from the other side together? Or will their differences tear them apart?
Flirting with danger…has never been so tempting.
***LAWBREAKER is a standalone, full-length new adult romance told in dual POV. Due to mature themes and adult language, this book is for those 18 and older.***
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Excerpt
The rumble of the idling V8 engine vibrated through the truck.
Faint gasoline fumes wafted in through the cranked-down windows, then blew out just as fast on the crosswind.
But none of those distractions fazed Shay.
Her attention had fixed solely on me. “Why do you like me?”
“More than like you.”
She didn’t say anything to my clarification. Instead, those expressive green eyes searched mine. Her chest rose with a measured inhale, fell on a slower exhale.
Her slender brows twitched down for a split second. “But why?”
A million reasons came to mind.
But in that moment, one echoed with more force than the rest.
“You live loud…without saying a word. When you’re around, you drown out all the noise. When I’m with you, there is nothing else.”
Silence filled the cab.
We sat on opposite sides. Lap belts held us securely down.
But she flattened her small hand over the worn leather of the bench seat, into the space between us.
I bridged the remaining gap, spread my fingers wide, until my larger pinky touched hers, knuckle to tip.
Long seconds drifted by.
The engine rumbled.
The crosswind blew.
But we didn’t move away from our fragile connection.
We stared at each other…and saw through every defense we’d built. As we inhaled and exhaled, breaths coming faster, shallower, I got the sense that we breathed common air for the very first time.
We’d come from different worlds, but we occupied the same space in that moment. In spite of our differences. Maybe because of them.
But on her next quick breath, her brow furrowed. Her hand twitched away.
Whatever she struggled with had broken through. That spiky armor clamped back around her.
Moment over.
And yet, she still stared at me. Gaze fierce. Jaw set. “When I’m with you, I become someone else. I forget who I am. And I can’t let that happen. You make me believe I can trust again. And that terrifies me.”
I stared back at her, undaunted. “I will never let you forget who you are. Become someone else with me, someone better. Get terrified; we’ll only grow stronger.”
After a long beat, she sucked in a deep breath. Then she pursed her lips and blew it out, nice and slow.
She remained silent. Committed to nothing.
But then I felt her pinky press against mine. Tentative, at first. Then firmer, solid.
She’d spoken, in her own way. And I’d heard loud and clear: I’ll become someone better, I’ll get terrified…just as long as you don’t let me down.
I gusted out a relieved sigh. “Well, hell. No pressure there.”
She didn’t laugh. Her eyes narrowed.
I reached farther and slid my hand over hers. “I won’t let you down.”
Nothing in the world could make me blow this…even though the weight of our world rested on my shoulders.
Including lightening the mood. Now. Before she changes her mind and bolts from your truck.
4.5 of 5 Stars
I think favorite thing about this book is they didn’t follow the romance story formula and predictability. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen next, bracing myself for the predictable and it usually didn’t happen. There is an HEA for this couple, but it is definitely not all unicorns and rainbows getting there.
Let me also tell you that while this book is part of a series it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Kiki is an MC in book one. She has a big supporting role in this book. Mase is an MC in book two. He makes several appearances in this book. I still say this book can absolutely be read as a standalone which coming from someone who hates jumping in mid-series and not knowing characters’ histories or being confused by character interactions, this is a big statement. I’m impressed with the authors’ ability to use main characters from the previous books in such major roles in this book and not make the reader feel like they are missing big chunks of history by jumping in mid-series. I will however tell you that I did read both book one and two and loved them both so I recommend reading them if you haven’t.
Shay and Ben are not your typical young adults. Neither of them trust people, each for different reasons but they’re inexplicably drawn to each other. Shay is strong, independent and a survivor but has a vulnerable streak a mile wide running through her that Ben touches without either of them realizing he’s doing it. Her morals regarding the laws of the land have straddled the line while Ben’s have walked straight down the line. Shay breathes life into Ben and Ben brings safety, security and love to Shay’s life.
The authors did a great job of spotlighting a current, heartbreaking epidemic without becoming ‘preachy’ (and therefore making me want to put the book down). This is not a light read but I didn’t feel really heavy while reading because the dialog between the characters and the amazing storytelling ability of these authors.
This book is long and I will admit to skimming some of the more descriptive paragraphs but was a quicker read than I anticipated. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop. Definitely another must read from this dynamic duo.
(I’m really hoping Rafe gets a book soon!!)
Read the other books in the Series
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About Kat & Stone Bastion:
Kat Bastion won several awards for her bestselling debut novel Forged in Dreams and Magick.
Kat and Stone Bastion’s bestselling first novel No Weddings and the No Weddings series were named Best of 2014 by multiple romance review blogs.
When not defining love and redemption through scribed words, they enjoy hiking in vivid wildflower deserts and ancient tropical forests.
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