Breaking Him Book Review - No Spoilers
Last weekend I spent time volunteering at a local horse rescue. There was one horse that everyone said was difficult and standoffish. But when I approached him quietly and patiently, he turned out to be the gentlest soul. Sometimes the things that appear intimidating on the surface are actually the most beautiful underneath. That's the premise of Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray. This spicy ranch romance is about looking past appearances to find the real person underneath.
Plot Summary
Abigail Smith is doing everything she can to keep her family's ranch afloat after her father's passing. The drought and skyrocketing costs make it nearly impossible. Her only employee is Elijah Hays, a quiet ranch hand who has a gift for working with horses. He's practically a horse whisperer. Folks in town call Elijah dangerous. They say he's a monster. But Abigail knows better. To her, he's simply Elijah, the gentle giant who works on her ranch. He's quiet and keeps to himself, but there's nothing monstrous about him. Abigail can feel him watching her. That steady gaze follows her movements. The tension between them grows every day. She's drawn to him in ways she can't explain. But Elijah holds himself back. He keeps his distance even though the attraction between them is obvious. When circumstances finally push them together, neither of them can resist anymore. What follows is an intense connection that changes everything for both of them.
Why I Love This Book
I love the gentle giant trope and Elijah is a perfect example. He's physically imposing. People in town judge him based on his appearance and reputation. But with Abigail and the horses, he's patient and kind. The contrast between how others see him and who he actually is creates beautiful tension. Elijah is a virgin hero, which adds another layer to the story. He's been waiting for the right person. When things finally happen between them, the buildup makes it incredibly intense. The anticipation and yearning throughout the book is excellent. Abigail is a strong heroine dealing with real struggles. Losing her father and trying to save the ranch gives her depth. She's not afraid to go after what she wants. I appreciate that she makes the first move and pursues Elijah. The ranch setting feels authentic. The details about working with horses and running a ranch add realism. The spice level is very high. When Elijah finally lets go, the scenes are detailed and hot. For readers who love devoted, obsessed heroes, Elijah delivers. He worships Abigail completely. This is a novella, so it's a quick read but packs a lot into a shorter format.
Who Will Like This Book
This book is perfect for readers who love gentle giant heroes. If you enjoy virgin hero romances with lots of sexual tension, this is for you. The obsessed hero who worships the heroine is a major appeal. Fans of ranch settings and horse stories will appreciate the authentic details. The boss/employee dynamic adds forbidden tension since she owns the ranch. The spice level is explicit with detailed intimate scenes. If you want a short, steamy read that you can finish in one sitting, this novella format works well. The small town romance element with judgmental townspeople adds external conflict. This is a standalone, so you get the complete story without needing to read more books.
Trigger Warnings: Explicit sexual content, virgin hero, death of parent (past, mentioned), small town judgment/gossip, no major trigger warnings
Tagged As
Ranch Romance, Gentle Giant, Virgin Hero, Boss/Employee, Obsessed Hero, Small Town Romance, Horse Whisperer, Contemporary Romance, Spicy Romance, Novella, Standalone Romance, He Worships Her
