Broken

Rate 3.5. After reading Branded, I wanted to purchase all the books obviously for the mystery to be solved, but also to read about the brothers. I found Branded intriguing. Tons of secrets. Loved watching them unfold. Mac and Deacon were fantastic characters. I was with them every step of the way. I was thrilled for their HEA. James and Sheridan, for me, didn't have that same passion. When he rescued her from the side of the road, I was excited about reading another great story. I really didn't feel the passion. I felt the story was weak, and completely rushed at the end. I believe Cole's story will hold more excitement. James spent most of his time chasing Sheridan. Sheridan said she was a straight shooter but spent a lot of time pretending she wasn't interested in James. When she decided he was worth the risk and she was ready to let go of her past, she felt he should have been ready as well and should open up more to her. I felt Sheridan pushed too hard. Everyone has to deal with their own life drama/ trauma in their own time. Everyone does not heal the same way. Mac told her to give him time, but she felt a few weeks of knowing her was enough for him to trust her with his past and his heart. I found Sheridan overbearing. I did not feel a strong connection between her and James. It seemed forced. I did enjoy the interaction between the brothers. Fun. I didn't like that Mac did not share the note with the brothers that was found in the hat. It was a clue. It wasn't addressed during any of the discussions with the brothers. Cole is a hothead and I hope his story will be fun. By the way, I love the excerpts from the journal. Keeps me pulled in looking for more clues.

I love the world of River Black and the Cavanaugh brothers! I am totally invested in resolving the mystery around Cass and I can't decide which Cavanaugh brother I want for my "book boyfriend" (Although Blue has some ground to make up since he has made himself scarce since Branded) Laura has created a world of real characters that are overcoming (or not) the past that forged them and set them on their current path.

Sheridan is strong woman, that is in all honesty, too self sufficient. She goes through an amazing cycle of self evaluation, realization and growth in this story. Rarely does an author capture this in a story, but Laura not only captured it, she owned it and made one my favorite heroines of all time. Not because Sheridan slayed monsters or saved the world, but because she could take a step back to slay her personal dragon and totally redefine her world.

To me James was the more intriguing of the Cavanaugh bothers and I couldn't wait to meet and learn more about him. Don't get me wrong, he might be my favorite, but I am sad to say, I was really disappointed in his side of the story. In fact, this is first time I think that Laura Wright dropped the ball and left me wanted more and not in a good way.

It felt like James' character was never fully developed. Laura opened the door to some really significant issues with Tori, but then didn't really address them, like she was afraid of it.

More than that, it was the fact Laura never told us how James ended up as a horse whisperer. She make us understand loud and clear James had a gift, but that isn't something he just woke up with one day, especially since we are told several different times, this was not something from his childhood.

In chapter four, James says "Horses saved me from a very dark time in my life. I will always return that kindness." THIS is the story I want to know. What happened? How did a horse save him? How did he learn to commune with horses? At one point in the story, Sheridan notes he communes with horses like it was spiritual, that's the story I want to read! Please Laura, can we have this story?

This is still a good story, but it was so close to amazing, I am actually sad to give it only 3 stars. Maybe we can get a short story about James and his horses in the future.