Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert

Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Breaking the Reins blog tour, organized by Xpresso Book Tours.
We got the pleasure to read and review this wonderful New Adult novel, and you can enter to win eBooks and signed paperback of Juliana Haygert's books!

Breaking the Reins
by Juliana Haygert
Published: August 14th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

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Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

I am such a fan of Juliana Haygert. She weaves stories that always surprise me with their depth of characters and plot. Breaking the Reins  is about healing and breaking free from pasts, expectations, and circumstances—all painful and constraining, sometimes even violent.

I loved how the Juliana drew the parallels between Hannah and Leo, as well as each of them with Argus, an abused horse that brings them together. The similarities—and the differences—made all the emotions and their experiences, along their triumphs so much more poignant. Nothing felt contrived, over the top, or as if it was added for mere shock value. The relationships were easy, natural, despite the tension. Though the romance could be consider a little cliché because of the love triangle, domestic abuse, tragic pasts, and secrets, there was more than enough interaction and elements to make the story unique. I couldn't put the book down.

I liked Hannah. I wish I could say I loved her. She's caring and endearingly frazzled. I could feel her fears and the weight of her highbrow society, family, and perfect boyfriend. I had a hard time grasping her reaction to the abuse from said boyfriend, though. In the beginning, I understood. It must be a shock to find out that someone you trusted and knew for years could physically lash out with fists. She's in a trance, disbelieving and making excuses, but I grew frustrated that she would bend so easily to his wishes when she didn't seem to give up on anything before.

Leo, on the other hand, I adored. He's sweet and charming, so genuine, and he has a good head on his shoulders. He won't let his past get him down, but the problem is, he won't let it drag anyone else down either. For once, this worked; I loved him more for it. The horse, Argus, has to be my favorite my character in this book. God, he broke my heart and made me cheer. No animal has moved me as he did.

If you're a fan of horses, slow burn romances, and life lessons that just clicked together for every character, I would definitely recommend Breaking the Reins. As usual with Juliana Haygert's works, it's a well-written page turner that made me ache and get warm all over.

eARC provided by the author via Xpresso Books Tours. Thank you!

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Breaking the Reins  Tour Schedule

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Juliana Haygert

Her Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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One (1) signed paperback of Breaking the Reins
One (1) ebook of Breaking the Reins
One (1) signed paperback of Destiny Gift
One (1) ebook of Destiny Gift
One (1) $25 Amazon/B&N gift card

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