If You Leave by Courtney Cole

If You Leave (Beautifully Broken, #2)

by Courtney Cole

The second book in the Beautifully Broken series.
Ex-army soldier Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be. Home from Afghanistan, Gabe can't stop thinking about that one horrible night on the battlefield, a night that changed his life for ever. He knows he's messed up, but with the help of a little beer and a lot more women, he's keeping it together. Until he meets Madison Hill.
Madison is happily single - or so she thinks. After the tragic death of her parents, she took on the responsibility of running the family restaurant, and that's all she has time to worry about. Until she meets Gabriel.
Though they don't know realise it at first, Gabe and Maddy will soon develop a weakness: each other. They need to be together to be whole, but can they find a way to heal the past . . . before they lose each other?

Reviewed by whisperingchapters on

5 of 5 stars

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I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

IF YOU LEAVE tells the story of Gabriel, an ex Army Ranger and Madison. Madison appears in IF YOU STAY, seeing as she is Mila's sister. Gabriel pulls out of the army because of something that happened while being away and it is something that keeps tormenting him still. He tries to live a normal life but he has night terrors—terrors that are so vivid that can take a toll on him while he sleeps and affects others around him and even led to almost killing Madison.

Madison is a sweet and funny woman. Madison is the owner of her parent's restaurant. She has an employee, Jacey, who takes Madison to a club to meet her brother but Jacey disappears with her boyfriend and Madison is left alone until she meets Gabriel. Madison catches a small glimpse of how terrified Gabriel is, how messed up he got from the Army. At the time, she didn't know why he was acting like that until he almost killed her.

Madison and Gabriel's story is sweet yet intense—not only in the sex tense but also in general. It was a great story to read. I ended up crying a little a few times because it was heart wrenching the experience Gabriel had to go through. I really fell in love with him because of who he is: a guy that really cares about everyone, even if he doesn't fully know them.
The characters are funny and quirky. The story is beautiful. It gives just a small insight on how terrifying experiences in the Army can be and what can cause in your life.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 July, 2014: Finished reading
  • 22 July, 2014: Reviewed