Breaking a Legend (Kavanagh Legends, #1)

by Sarah Robinson

Charles Constant (Narrator)

• ISBN10: 1515911330
• ISBN13: 9781515911333
• Publish Date: 6 September 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 13 March 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tantor Media, Inc
• Edition: Unabridged edition
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Duration: 7 hours and 59 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

I enjoy reading books about big families, so I loved reading about the Kavanagh family, a big, tight knit, boisterous Irish family. They are sarcastic and love to give each other a hard time, but also have each other’s backs. The five Kavanagh brothers are all big, good looking alpha males and when they are all together, women fall all over themselves trying to get their attention. The family owns Legends, a gym that specializes in training in MMA’s fighters.

This story centers on Rory, the oldest of the Kavanagh brothers. He was a successful MMA fighter until he injured his leg a year ago. He still suffers from pain and feels depressed knowing he will never be able to fight again. He is tortured and having a difficult time adjusting to life after fighting. He has always been a womanizer, but once he meets Clare Ivers, he isn’t interested in any other woman.

Claire is trying to get her life back together after running away from an abusive relationship and she is slowly getting her confidence back. Even though Claire is still vulnerable, Rory makes her feel comfortable and with him she can be feisty and opinioned. They have a lot of chemistry together and they help each other heal as they figure out their futures. Rory is all macho male with tattoos and piercings, but he also has a sweet and gentle side and I love the way he treats Clare. He is cocky and arrogant, yet he is also protective, he treats her with respect and takes things slow. This is a slow moving, sweet romance with some suspense included. I enjoyed this book, but at times, I wished it moved a little faster. It is the first book in the Kavanagh Legends series and each book is a stand alone. There are a lot of fun secondary characters included in this story.

[stacey_is_sassy]

What type of Legend are we talking about?

I’m not getting the title Breaking a Legend. Is it because the gym’s called Legends? The gym didn’t seem broken to me. Is it because Rory the main character had his leg broken in his last fight? Maybe it was because he’s a broken man who’s a druggie, alcoholic manwhore and reached Legend status with the ladies? No, no…it was probably because a Kavanagh, ex Irish Mafia dude had a son who became a cop…that’s got to break a legend. I could be completely off the beaten track, maybe it could be in reference to Clare and her breaking away from her abusive ex who must be a legend to have the California police under his power and control.

Clare has moved from California to escape the evil clutches of her ex-boyfriend. It doesn’t get clarified or explained until the second half of the story what Travis the ex had done and what she was escaping from. I wanted to understand why she was so down on herself, there was too much of he's too good for me dribble.

Rory was a very high ranking MMA fighter until he is badly hurt in a match. His recovery is long and to overcome the pain he becomes addicted to alcohol and pain killers. Rory is feeling very sorry for himself and thinks that the drugs and alcohol are the only thing to get him through. His family can see his self-destruction but feel helpless in knowing how to get him straight.

That’s OK because Clare saves the day. No rehab for this guy, he has Clare telling him to buck up and get with the program…so he does. If only the Kavanagh family had found a pretty blonde sooner, all of their problems would have been solved. He didn’t even have to go through detox…it was a miracle.

I’m going to wade into the protection debate for 2 seconds… The guy was a known manwhore, why didn’t she check if he used protection with his previous hook ups? Not that that should have stopped her from demanding it anyway. In this day and age, I thought unprotected sex was an accident, not something you’d consciously do hoping the chicks on the pill. He asks after the second time of unprotected sex if she’s on the pill. A little late don’t ya think???

I know it seems like I’m hammering this story, but it wasn’t all bad. The Kavanagh family were actually quite funny and sweet. It was also lovely to see Rory’s softer side with his treatment of his dog Ace and the shelter where he volunteers at. If you have any issues with animal cruelty, it does touch on the subject. Not all bad, but way too many dodgy things that drove me crazy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[thebookdisciple]

Breaking a Legend is quite possibly my favorite book of 2015. I don't say that lightly either because I have read some amazing books this year. Here is why this one beats them all:
1. The book doesn't focus on Rory's rise to fame in the MMA. It doesn't focus on his superstardom in the MMA world. The book starts after he has lost all that due to an injury. And to say he isn't handling the loss well is an understatement. I love that the book isn't about becoming great or being great in the cage. Its about what happens when you can't be that any more. It isn't about rehabbing an injury so he can get back in the ring. His fighting days are done and it brings a level of depth to the story that is amazing and engaging.
2. Clare's story is one we have heard before but better written. Yes she is on the run from a terrible, abusive ex. However, you learn things about her that add a different spin on this trope. It really is perfect because its so real. It was one of those moments when I thought "Oh, gosh! Why hasn't anyone mentioned something like this before?". I won't tell you what it was, but it will be a moment for you too. Suddenly, every other book with the broken girl on the run trope will fail woefully short now.
3. The Kavanagh's are this amazing Irish family. Are the perfect? Heck no! One brother is in jail, one is a drug addict, and they are all dealing with some personal demons. But they love each other in a very real way. They fight but they apologize. The argue but they forgive. Its all so believable.

So, I initially thought this was just another MMA fighter book. Hot fighter falls for a girl who needs saving. Don't get me wrong-I love that trope. However, I don't think I can read another book about an MMA fighter or a girl on the run again because it will never be as good as this book. Sarah Robinson has ruined all other books for me. Honestly, I couldn't be happier about it. This is a book I will gladly read over and over again just to experience it! This is a book that when people ask you for your favorite book, I will tell them "Breaking a Legend" and I won't hesitate. I am now a HUGE Sarah Robinson fan girl!

[Lynn]

This is the first book I've read by author Sarah Robinson and fitting that this is the first book in her new series Kavanagh Legends. Set in the Bronx neighbourhood of Woodlawn, the action centres around the infamous Kavanagh family gym.

Likened to a knight in shining armour because of his medieval long haired looks, Rory Kavanagh's life has lost purpose and meaning. In constant pain due to injuries sustained in his last professional MMA fight, he's masking his problems with alcohol and drugs...or so he thinks.

Clare Ivers is attempting to re-build her life thousands of miles away in Woodlawn. She's evasive about her past, cautious not to draw attention to herself. It isn't long before see meets the famous Rory Kavanagh – a tough, bitter man. However, Clare isn't intimidated by his demeanour, on the contrary she's drawn to him, which is something she didn't want to happen.

Peel away the mask and underneath is a compassionate, caring man in need for a new direction in life. I love how the author clearly defines Rory's transformation from destructive looser to a man of purpose. How his Mhuirnín-sweetheart Clare inspires him to re-evaluate his life and take steps to wean himself off the substances that are making his physical injuries worse rather than better. Clare may be petite in stature but certainly not fragile and has no problem holding her own in O'Leary's pub and dealing with Rory's intense personality. Despite their differences, they share a mutual love, which cements the foundations of their relationship.

I just know that future stories in this series will be equally as good as this fast paced first book. We are introduced to the other members of this colourful Irish American family, who maintain a clan like existence with a notoriety embedded in local folklore, which only accentuates their colourful personalities. I can't wait for Kane's story.

4 Stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept Publishing via NetGalley***