Broken (Cavanaugh Brothers, #2)

by Professor of Chemistry Laura Wright

The Cavanaugh brothers left behind River Black, Texas, long ago. But after their father dies, bequeathing them the Triple C, a cattle ranch that sustains their small town, they return—and confront the painful memories of their childhood home and the truth about their sister’s murder…

For years, James Cavanaugh has traveled the world as a horse whisperer, but even the millions he’s earned hasn’t healed the pain he hides behind his stoic exterior. Forced to tackle old demons at the ranch, James throws himself into work to avoid his true feelings. Until he meets a woman who shakes the foundations of his well-built walls…

Sheridan O’Neil’s quiet confidence has served her well, except when it comes to romance. Refusing to allow her heard to led her to disaster, she chooses to focus solely on work. But after Sheridan is rescued from a horse stampede by the most beautiful cowboy she’s ever met, her vow to keep her heart penned wavers. Only, as Sheridan uncovers James’s belief that no woman is safe with him, she wonders if such a wounded man could ever give in to love, or if some hearts are too broken to be healed.…

• ISBN10: 0451464990
• ISBN13: 9780451464996
• Publish Date: 7 October 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451464996

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

4.5 Cocktails

This one picks up almost immediately after the first book, and shifts focus from the characters in the first book to the next Cavanaugh brother and Sheridan O’Neil, a city girl who is his brother’s executive assistant.

I adored James, he is this sexy very country boy who could make a woman sit up and beg from his description alone. Take in the fact that he’s a perfect gentleman and has real compassion and a healthy dose of guilt from his past that he struggles with, and he’s a very real character for me.

This series has a murder mystery at its heart, it’s the mystery of who killed the Cavanaugh’s sister so many years ago, and how that death and the events afterwards shaped all the brothers differently. James definitely got a lot of the guilt to shape him as he grew.

For that reason, I recommend reading this series in order. I think it could be read with the eye of a love story between James and Sheridan, but with the addition of journal entries from the deceased sister, its best read in order. I really love that aspect where we get little hints and clues and I can’t wait to find out who the villain is.

Sheridan is a great heroine, she finds James sexy, and while she isn’t sure they have a future, she definitely seizes the day and goes for it. I admired that, I also admired how much she stands up for herself and takes no attitude from anyone.

Overall, this is a strong edition to a series that started out very strong and I can only hope that the suspense and the mystery grows and I can’t wait for the next brother to find his happily ever after. I also looking forward to the way she grounds the next brother and shows how he dealt with pain in his own very human way. I highly recommend this story, and the whole series.

Reviewed by Sheri for Cocktails and Books

[kimbacaffeinate]

Each of the brothers has suffered from the loss of their sister, and the family fallout that resulted from the anguish it caused. James left the ranch for college and is now a renowned horse whisper. He is on the Cavanaugh ranch to deal with a large herd of wild mustangs. Like his brothers a piece of this handsome, rugged, and noble cowboy has been broken. I felt for him, and loved seeing him heal.

Sheridan is Deacon Cavanaugh’s assistant and quite good at her job. So good, in fact, that she has left little time for friends or love. She is drawn to James and their attraction to each other is noticeable to everyone, especially Mac, Deacon’s fiance.' She is a typical A type personality, and it was fun watching her makes friends and balance life and work.

The murder mystery continues with more entries from their sister’s diary that only we are made privy to, as the boys continue to search for clues. A local veterinarian may hold answers and it was interesting to see James and his brother, UFC champion Cole Cavanaugh try to gather information regarding a boyfriend and diary. We also see Mac and Deacon as they plan their wedding. The story has a nice small town feel to it, and smaller secondary characters add to the story.

The romance was cute, but developed slowly, with stolen kisses and ran hot and cold as James struggled with his attraction, possessive feelings and belief he is cursed. I loved the growth we see in both of them, and while things moved slowly, they came together quickly towards the end. While I enjoyed it, I wish the romance had been more evenly weaved into the tale and that all the good stuff wasn’t crammed into the tail end of the story.

While I didn’t love this story as much, the characters rocked, and I closed Broken with a smile. I am looking forward to Cole’s story in Brash. If you love stories about Brothers, romance and mystery the Cavanaugh Brothers series is one to check out.

Full review at Caffeinated, a copy was provided by publisher.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer