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How Not to Break

LOVESTRONG, Book 4

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How Not to Break

By: Susan Hawke
Narrated by: Michael Pauley
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About this listen

Take one former SEAL with a healthy dose of regret....

Nick St. Cloud is living with shame from the one time he let his lust override his sense of honor. He’s haunted by the memory of when he made love to his best friend’s 18-year-old son. The tragic accident that happened that same night has only compounded his guilt. A decade later, he’s doing his best to be there for Charlie’s son, but anything more than that just wouldn’t be right...would it?

Plus, the younger guy who he’s tried to forget....

It’s been 10 years. Ten long years. Does Shaw Michaelson feel bad about having seduced his dad’s best friend? Umm, maybe? Although he could’ve done things differently, Shaw can’t find it within himself to be sorry for the hottest night of his life with the one man he’s never been able to forget. The man he’s patterned every subsequent relationship after...yeah, Shaw totally has a type.

Equals a pair of men who deserve a second chance at a first time.

The two men are living in an uneasy peace within the same small town and circle of friends, being careful not to let the other get close enough to open old wounds. All their walls fall when a stalker begins terrorizing Shaw, sending him running to the one man he knows will keep him safe.

©2019 Susan Hawke (P)2019 Susan Hawke Literature & Fiction Romance

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This fourth story in S. Hawke's contemporary romance series is quite an exciting one and finally pays off the prequel story called How Not To Wait which is about an eighteen-year old Shaw doing something about his crush on his dad's best friend, Nick St. Cloud who is just home from his stint in the Navy Seals. Michael Pauley does an excellent job of giving the characters their distinct voices and conveying the humour and drama alike.
I laughed out loud at Shaw's ineptitude in the kitchen and the running joke in the local fire department about his appliance kill count...another toaster oven goes up in flames! It was a relief that Shaw knew exactly what to do (practice makes perfect?)
It was interesting watching Nick on the sidelines when a stalker calling himself The Master sets his sights on adorable ginger twink Shaw. He wants to charge to the rescue, but Shaw is fed up of being treated like a child or a damsel in distress and promptly puts the bar owner/former Navy SEAL in his place as he's also had enough of Nick running hot and cold on him with his emotions. It was good to see Nick face up to certain home truths and realise what he stands to lose if the Master gets his way. Highly recommended as thriller romance and second chance romance.

Stalker Alert

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🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 5

I love a bit of thrill with my romance!!

I loved Shaw and Nick and am so glad they finally got together!! I hadn’t read the opening prequel novella that started this Lovestrong series but I didn’t really feel like I was missing anything even though I need to go back and read it now! Anything for more Nick and Shaw ❤ ❤ ❤

I really enjoy thrillers and I loved that there was a little psychological suspense and stalking in this story that pushes Shaw and Nick together; FINALLY!! I feel for Shaw as he keeps receiving notes from his ‘Master’/stalker, and while I guessed early on who Master was, I was still thrilled ‘watching’ the story unfold. I would have liked a little more detail/depth into the crazy Master and why he was the way he was and why he targeted Shaw, but understand that that may not fit into these lighter stories Susan is creating in the Lovestrong Series.

I enjoyed the humor Susan injects and love all the feelings and mushiness that happens when the angst is over and Nick and Shaw finally admit their feelings for each other. Their sexy times are off the charts hot too which never hurts 😉 I also enjoyed the somewhat prophetic dreams and look forward to seeing them come true in the next stories in this series!!

As ever Micheal’s narration is perfection!! Brilliant dialects, characterizations and story flow. I really enjoyed seeing familiar faces around town, learning more about them and enjoyed Michael’s voices for each character and their individuality! I’m loving this series and look forward to many more Lovestrong series!

Susan and Micheal are a perfect match and this was a total swoon-worthy winner for me!!

Thanks for reading!

I love a bit of thrill with my romance!!

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Having read How not to wait and seeing how much Shaw is enamoured with Nick it was brilliant to finally get their story. To then have Michael Pauley give that story life is just icing on the cake this is a truest fabulous series that looks set to continue with more. This book is brilliant in all its forms.

About time

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An intriguing stalker mystery was the basis of this story. I guessed the perp quite early on bit there were enough red herrings to keep me wondering.
I wasn't 100% committed to the relationship. Early on I wanted Shaw with Rick, later I wanted a triad. And that's where I ended up. Wanting MMM. The narration on this was good and much easier to follow who was speaking.

Great romantic suspense

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This series has gone from strength to strength and it's hard to pick out a favourite book or character. How Not To Break brings us back around to the two men from the prequel, How Not To Wait - Shaw and Nick.
They had an amazing night together but were kept separated by the death of Shaw's parents and Nick's guilt at his treatment of Shaw, allowing what happened between them when he was only 18.
This story gives us a great plot line in that Shaw has a stalker who quickly escalates his communications. Nick's ingrained sense of protection towards Shaw initially doesn't go down too well and their meetings tend to end up with an argument. Both men have great friends that are all known from the previous books and their support and friendship is great to read as there is obvious affection, fun and love among the group. Susan has down a great job at building up the tension between Nick and Shaw but keeping a simmer on it, giving Shaw the chance to make demands and Nick to actually think on his words and actions. Hearing them giving friendship a chance was good as they learn each other as the men they have grown into in the ten years since their story in the prequel.
This was a great book to read but getting to listen to Michael Pauley voice these characters is such an enjoyable experience. He always knows the best ways in which to voice them and how to bring the story to life. Emotions are clear as is the tension when this get close between the MCs or as the stalker is getting closer to Shaw.

Amazing narration for a brilliant story

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This story is different from the others, it is more serious. Shaw has a stalker and this amongst other things is what makes Nick StCloud to finally admit how he feels about Shaw. There’s still some comic elements but in my opinion it’s the intensity that makes the story. I thought I knew who was the stalker then I wasn’t sure, so good.
As usual Michael Pauley’s narration is excellent. He knows how to ramp up the tension.
I would love another story from Susan Hawke giving Rick a happy ending.

So Good

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I have really enjoyed this whole series, but I think this might be my favourite so far. The story is so different and the emotional barriers in place between the main characters are so complex. The character's growth is well described, there's plenty of plot content and the romance and heat are rewarding. It's also great to see that characters from the previous books again and the community developing.
Michael Pauley continues to deliver of course. That man can melt my knees with a grunt and a whimper, but also break my heart and make me laugh embarrassingly loud in public!
Can't wait for the next one.

I LOVED THIS BOOK

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Every book in this series just keeps improving and Michael Pauley continues to bring them to life an even bigger way. LOVE IT

This series just gets better

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This is a really great audiobook.
Great writing coupled with excellent narration makes this a must listen.
I love this series and I can’t wait to listen to more.

Awesome

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What a waste of time. I didn't last to the end it was so obviously a mistake. Sadly, no refund option was available.

What a waste of time!

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