How To Handle A Heartbreaker (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
3.5 to 4 stars. So this was given to me from a friend and I haven't read the first one yet. But I did enjoy the story. I felt like I was missing some pieces but it didn't take too much away from the story. So Abby is a writer and Brody is a plumber. And it's lust at first sight. They get to the down and dirty pretty quickly but deny any feelings of attachment or love. Brody ends up getting a blast from the past and starts spiraling downhill. Abby sees through it but gives him his space in hope that he may find himself again. This was a classic story of I want you but I don't think I'm good enough. And that actually kind of applied to his home life too. It's why I didn't give it more stars. It's been done a thousand time and even the roles weren't very original. Not to say I didn't enjoy it but I like variety which is why I usually tend to stay away from the typical erotic romance. So in the end I liked the book but it could have been more with a little thought. How to Handle a Heartbreaker (McCauley Brothers #2)Brody and Abby’s StoryBrody Singer took one look at Abby Dunn and fell in instant lust. Abby looks a lot like a woman he once knew, one who died years ago. But is his attraction merely a holdover from a secret crush from long ago? But Abby’s definitely someone different. She’s a lot shier, a lot sexier, and despite her attempts to dissuade his interest, mesmerizing.Abby isn’t having it. She’s still trying to put her last disastrous relationship behind her and overcome the flaws her ex so kindly pointed out. She’s too short, too plump, too boring, too blah. But somehow Brody isn’t getting the picture that someone as handsome and built as he is should be with a woman far prettier. It doesn’t help that when writing her steamy books, she keeps casting Brody as the hero.Only Abby can write her own ending. She just has to decide which version to keep: the one where she shows Brody she’s a woman worth keeping and he’s a man worth loving? Or the one where she settles for a rough draft of a life, alone and safe from ever getting hurt again?PRODUCT WARNINGSThis book involves a charmingly sexy plumber, a slightly neurotic writer, one God-ugly dog, a crafty six-year-old, meddling family, a tragic past, card cheats, and some wily action between the sheets–compliments of two people fighting against falling in love.Brody and his hound are both loveable rogues of the best kind, both need discipline and love. Abby is a nerd with a secret, she writes steamy books with all the steam happening in her head not her bed.When we met Brody in Troublemaker I had no idea how many layers there were going to be to this man and how much that rogue persona was him yes but hiding so much. Not a McCauley by blood but in every other way Flynn and Brody are like twins. Incredibly close, they are hilarious and their escapades make you laugh, blush and sob! Abby has confidence issues after an ex did a number on her. Brody offers to show her some of his moves with a touch of kink thrown in and give her a man’s perspective purely as research for her books!The back and forth between these two was a far more emotional read than #1 but just as enjoyable. They both have demons, both believe themselves not worthy of the other and their journey is very different to Flynn and Maddie. I like a heroine who is curvy and petite not thin and willowy all the time, again with the real factor and I love that Brody adores her for her. They bring the best out in each other and the way they fiercely defend the other made me smile. Both Colin and Mutt gave me many laughter moments, I may adopt both.SO……………………………..What do I want to say about this series as a whole?The overwhelming factor for me that makes these such an enjoyable read is the amazing banter between all the characters, primary and secondary. The affection, humour and love shines through, the teasing, flirting, arguing, dirty sexy talk and insults flung around through these books make them a pleasure to experience. Like every family they will frustrate and exasperate you – you will be rooting for them while screaming at them! In a world full of angsty contemporary romance where you sometimes want a palate cleanse these are a joy, they remind me of the reasons I love Jennifer Crusie, Rachel Gibson, Susan Anderson just to name a few. Authors I read in paperback but with the advance of the E-Reader and therefore the popularity of indie writers have not touched in a while. Marie Harte writes a steamy sexy damn fine romance but throw in this gift for the humour and banter and they are a winner for an easy read that will leave you with a smile, a warm heart and tingles in places!I commented previously that another factor was they are “real “no billionaires, no rock gods, no MC bikers, just normal real men with strong family values who want a good woman and a good life. Simple things that in reality we all want and while I read contemporary romantic fiction and don’t mind the plausibility being stretched a tad it’s a pleasant change of pace to read real, that could be any family anywhere with its ups & downs, tragedies and celebrations. Just trying to get by day to day, working hard and playing hard.It’s an engaging series, well written with a fabulous quota of panty melting scenes all wrapped up in humour.I’m looking forward to What to Do With a Bad Boy
What do You think about How To Handle A Heartbreaker (2014)?
2.5 starsI got really, really bored at the end, but up until that part it was cute.
—Fatma
A great addition to the series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
—justcallmeelli
Basically an OK book for me, but too many p-words for my taste.
—kid
