Book: Just Might Break by Sarah Adkins
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
Just Might Break by Sarah Adkins
⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.25/5)
After reading the first book in the series, I knew this would likely tackle tougher emotional themes. I wasn't expecting it to get as dark as it did (though the author's note said darker themes were present), and I definitely didn't expect it to tug at my heartstrings as much as it did. That said, I wasn't mad about it. I just wasn't prepared with my box of tissues.
Maya and Jameson (aka Jamie) met as children when their parents started dating. They started as friends, but there was always something more between them—a spark that they could be more when they were older. They are ripped apart when Jamie's mother dies, and he is sent to live with the father he never knew. Now in college, they are back in the same place, but Jamie wants nothing to do with Maya... on the surface.
Jamie is really going through it. His father may be the biggest POS committed to paper, constantly finding ways to destroy Jamie's happiness and threatening to ruin his life. It hurt so much to see Jamie broken down by the person who should love him most and to see him resign himself to that being his life for the foreseeable future. He was such a sweet kid and is still a great man despite everything he is going through. He deserves to have someone in his corner. Someone like Maya.
Maya is pretty amazing. I love the way she stands up for herself with Jamie when he won't give her the time of day without explanation, and her refusal later on to let him push her away. She is a boundary-setting queen, knowing her worth and demanding that Jamie respect it. I love her close relationship with her father, which you don't often see in coach's daughter romances. And I really loved that she is a tattoo artist with aspirations of owning her own shop.
From the jump, it's clear Jamie and Maya have an undeniable connection and deep feelings for each other, though it takes time for them to sort things out. Once they are together, they are equal parts sexy and swoony. Maya is a great source of comfort and support for Jamie, giving him the unconditional love that's been missing from his life.
A great second entry into the St. A's series. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, which I am guessing will follow Beau and Dani. The book ended on a pretty huge cliffhanger for Beau, so I NEED to know what happens next.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC.