Yay!

If you could sum up Unbreak My Heart in three words, what would they be?

beautiful, sad, funny

What does Nick J. Russo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nick brought out the passion that the writing calls for. I remember reading this book when it first came out. It's one of my favorites. I get nervous when one of my favs goes to audio. A terrible narrator can make a great book unbearable. I'm glad Nick did it. I knew then it will be good.

7 people found this helpful

Unsuspectingly awesome!

So Good! I can't even find the words for this book. It felt so rich, a bit heartbreaking but a while Lotta healing, a whole Lotta love, humor and It really came full circle. I love the falling in love process between J. T and Brett.

This was a story of a great love lost, but a greater one found in the process of grieving (albeit after 3 years, everyone grieves at their own pace) Throw in a meddling mama with a father figure /best friend /brother and you've got the recipe for this story.

The author took us on a journey and it slowly unwrapped throughout the book at the perfect time when u needed the answers to your questions. My favorite scenes were the barn with the two MCs and at Thanksgiving. You have to get the book to understand. Plus, the song at The end was so fitting for all they went through. It is a really well written book and perfectly narrated by Nick J. Russo, you could always tell who was speaking at any given time. Loved it. Job well done.

6 people found this helpful

perfect the book was just perfect!!!

did I loved it ?
of course I did, I loved the writing style the perfect as always, lovely and talented Nick j. russo...
I loved that the songs in the book was actually written.
I felt much more from the lyrics of songs that I could ever felt by the words of the book....
the story was absolutely beautiful I love the characters... each one of them and I can count only 5 of them in the book it was genius!
the fells!!! owww the fells!!! So much guilt!!! So much hurt!!! so much pain!!! and so much loveeee!!! loved the book so much!

4 people found this helpful

One of the best cowboy romance I read this year!

If you could sum up Unbreak My Heart in three words, what would they be?

Grab plenty Tissues

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book! I guess the letters to Walt if I have to choose. Each one made me cry a puddle!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Like the broken fence, broken hearts can be mended.

Any additional comments?

Cover Love: I loved this cover and title. I read the book and loved it so much I had to listen to this. I was sure it couldn't be better but OMG was I wrong. Nick J Russo did not narrate the book but acted it out. You could hear every tear in his voice as he read out the letters Brett was writing to Walt. He had a very distinct voice for each man and I loved the country drawl in Brett's voice and very different cowboy vice for Ray his foreman and best friend. His sex scenes were so sensual.
If you love cowboys, psychologists, ranches, broken men, country singers and a fabulous ugly cry with a beautiful ending this is a must read!

1 person found this helpful

A little too sweet and slow-paced for me

Unbreak My Heart is a heartfelt romance that draws on a few different tropes. Although I found the story enjoyable overall, I did struggle with staying interested especially during the second half of the book. I hadn’t read this author before but was tempted by the promise of cowboys and Mr. Russo’s reliable narrative performances.

The initial plotline of Unbreak My Heart intrigued me. JT’s situation was interesting and a bit different. When Brett’s painful loss and struggle to adjust to life without his partner was added to the mix, I expected a really good hurt/comfort story. In many ways, that’s what I got. It was nice to see a widow in a book who still loves and misses his partner. So often past connections are overshadowed by the new romance or relationship, but Brett’s love for Walt never diminished. The letters to Walt were heartbreaking, adding another layer to the story and Brett’s character, especially when he wasn’t initially all that likeable. I appreciated that the romance was a slow burn where the emotional connection between JT and Brett played the starring role with the physical chemistry more secondary. The sparks were certainly still present, but it was built on something solid and fit with Brett’s reluctance to pursue another relationship after Walt. The age gap between Brett and JT and Brett’s past as a popular country musician added additional minor conflicts, creating some interesting layers to the budding relationship. Unfortunately, the pacing drug along, particularly in the latter half of the book. Even though I enjoyed the narration, my interest waned once the conflicts and conversations became cyclical and the climax felt a little lackluster.

I’ll fully admit I tend to be overly critical about sweet romances, and for me this was just a little too syrupy- lacking any significant tension and excitement. I think readers in search of a sweeter hurt/comfort romance may enjoy this book.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

1 person found this helpful

Great story and performance

This was a really sweet cowboy romance. I like that this is the first book in their romance, so it is just the beginning of the story. In a nutshell, Brett lost his long term partner and blames himself. His loved ones are trying to get him to live again. Enter JT, a drifter with a Master's degree and issues of his own. Their romance is a slow burn that is fractured when JT does something stupid. But they kind of get past it, secrets are revealed and we get a HFN ending. I don't know if I would have liked it as much as an ebook, as Nick Russo's performance is fantastic. He really brings this story to life and kept me engaged. I look forward to the next book in audio.

1 person found this helpful

so freaking awesome, and such awesome narration!

Any additional comments?

Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted the AUDIO file of this book.

I usually write a blurby bit but for this one I'm gonna jump straight in, with an apology up front if I gush too much.

So, I went on holiday, and there I am, poolside, listening to this book. Oh, I CANNOT separate the book from the narration, I simply can't!. So, I'm poolside. I'm thinking this is good, I like this. Then I really don't like this, its making me cry! Its making me cheer, and making cry again, and its making sit straight upright, and shout, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! And its making me cry again. And people came up to me, asking if I was okay, cos let me tell ya, I was bawling my bloody eyes at this book!!

Brett's heart break at losing Walt 3 years ago jumps off the page from the very beginning. His battle with himself comes over with every letter and song he wrote after Walt's death. It comes over with every emotion as Nick J. Russo narrates them, and reads the letters and songs. Brett's fight with himself to give in to love again, to let someone else in, after so much heart ache comes at you, in random places along the way, that just breaks your own heart for him!

JT, the kid, has attraction for Brett from the beginning, and I loved that he lets Brett take the time he needs, that JT is so patient with Brett and his yoyo-ing back and forth. Loved how JT himself was so heart broken when Brett found out what JT had done.

As I said, I simply CANNOT split the narration from the story itself. I have no doubt, none at all, had I READ this book, it would still have been a 5 star read, but so much of the emotions can't be portrayed when reading. THAT can only come from a highly skilled narrator, and Russo is such a master at his craft. I have listened to his work before, and loved all of them, but this one has to be my all time favourite.

Its the way Russo reads Klein's work, because, without HER words, Russo wouldn't be able to give over such emotion and heart break, and such joy again, once Brett finally, FINALLY lets JT in.

There is, at the very end of the book, a song Brett writes for JT. I don't usually use bits from books in my reviews, but I felt the need to do it here. These words touched me, possibly more so than the rest of the book, no idea why, but they did, and they NEEDED to be included.

SO I give you...

A Song For The Kid, by K-Lee Klein

One hundred miles from Dallas
On a ranch southwest of town
An old heart battered and broken
Was somehow saved and found

They had nothing much in common
A burnt-out musician and a college boy
One from California
And the other Southern as a belle is coy

But an interfering mama
And an old cowboy with a quiet way
Saw fit to toss them together
And the rest is history as they say

Well, the musician he was stubborn,
Determined his heart would never beat again
But the kid was kind and patient
Didn’t give up on what could have been

I was lucky to find true love once
When I was barely that California boy’s age
Self-condemned to toss my heart and soul
Beside my lover in his dark, lonely grave

But now I understand the meaning
Behind it’s better to have loved and lost
Because there’s room in my heart for my beloved departed
And for the new feelings that kid has caused

So it’s with a hopeful heart and willing spirit
I’m begging for a lot more time
Because there’s nothing as important in my life
Than needing that kid to be mine.

And though I don’t believe in marital bliss
Or in ceremonies trumped up for show
If you’ll take my hand I can promise you
I’ll never let you go

I don’t have a whole lot to offer
Someone with so much potential drive
Just a bare-open, battered heart
And an old guitar with a long-ago country vibe
But I can vow to love you
With every inch of my soul
With this bandaged heart
And just one important goal

Please be my partner in life
My friend at my side
The one I turn to during the day
The one I hold at night

I wanna make you feel as loved
As the warmth I have inside
I wanna hold you so close to me
Our hearts beating side by side

I promise to love and honor
And try to see things your way
I promise, Darlin’, to love you
Forever and a day

So please be my partner in life
My friend at my side
The one I turn to during the day
The one I hold at night
’Cause without you I’m cold
I’m shut down and alone
I can’t seem to function
And my heart turns to stone

So please be my partner in life
My friend at my side
The one I turn to during the day
The one I hold at night
I’ll hold back the sun
Or steal the moon from the sky
I’ll sail you round the world
And together we’ll fly

So will you be my partner?
Will you be the love at my side?
Will you be the one I turn to all day?
Will you be the one I hold at night?
I love you, kid, with all my heart
From morning to night, from dusk to dawn
All I need is a chance
For our hearts to become one
Let me show you how much love
You make me feel every day
I’m completely in love with you, Darlin’
So please—what do ya say?

And FIVE full stars for the book AND the narration. I cannot express who much i freaking loved this book!!!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere**

and now I'm blubbering again, just reading the song words!!

1 person found this helpful

A fun romance

Would you try another book from K-lee Klein and/or Nick J. Russo?

I would, Russo is a great narrator and Klein's story is solid with the right ratio of smut to story.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I think the conflict at the end was a bit too predictable, and I think I would have changed some of that.

Do you think Unbreak My Heart needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the story as it was. While I would be willing to see how these characters grow and develop, but as it stands, I don't know if I need it to continue.

1 person found this helpful

Yes!

Another great Audio, this was a good audio to listen to, good story too.
Love the narration

2 people found this helpful

A second chance at love with all the feels

Someone recommended this book a hike back and I finally needed something slower and a little angsty. Doesn’t hurt that one of the MC is an old country singer who lost his life partner and is grieving. The love songs he wrote are truly heartbreaking. Love the slow burn and the banter interspersed with the heartache and grief. Nick is an excellent choice to narrate the book because he gave each of them a distinct voice and the emotional depth and angst in Brad’s is simply heart wrenching. If you are looking for a slow burn cowboy gay love story, you can’t go wrong with this.