When life’s always been a mess, can you still turn it into something beautiful?
Jace Riley’s close connection with his identical twin brother, Jaxon, is put to the test when he tries to choose between keeping his promises and following his heart. Is this girl that still haunts his dreams, even after four years, really worth it? Jace can’t help but wonder if he made a huge mistake all that time ago when he let her walk into someone else’s arms, especially since that someone was his twin.
Audrey Mills often wonders at what point she should throw her hands up in defeat and allow all of the horrible circumstances of her life to overtake her. Despite the demons she has faced, however, something inside her won’t give in. When she leaves her small town in Texas to attend college in California, Audrey runs into the one guy who could make her or break her. But is the past they share too painful for them to overcome?
OMG I LOVED Beautiful Broken Rules SO much and Beautiful Broken Mess did not disappoint me at all. Have you read Beautiful Broken Rules yet? It’s one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year! Check out my review.
What happens when you create rules to keep others out?
One thing Emerson Moore has come to terms with is that she is the school slut. She knows her way around a frat house and how to get what she wants. She doesn’t make any excuses for her actions and she doesn’t pretend to be anything different. She is who she is and with that she knows how to have a good time. She’s made rules to keep relationships at bay and avoid the demons of her past.
When her best friend, Cole has his two friends from back home move in with him she begins to think she has met her match with Jaxon Riley. Jax is the perfect mixture of tattooed muscle and a sweet-talking mouth. With “hand” written notes, a voice that exudes sex and knowing just how to get under her skin, Jaxon learns how to break all the rules.
But will he just end up breaking her heart anyway?
So what happens when I sit down with Jace and Audrey?
Yes…I squee’d when I found out that I was going to get to meet with Jace and Audrey. I will never hide the fact that I love the Broken series with all that I have. I mean…come on, the Riley twins?!? Seriously. And I get to meet one of them. EEEEP! It also doesn’t hurt that they live in Dallas, easy trip up I-35 to see two of my most favorite people ever. 🙂
So…being good Texan’s we decide to meet at the best place ever. Rudy’s BBQ (if you haven’t experienced it yet, you’re missing out!)…plus ‘someone’ was having a craving. When I arrive, I see a tall, gorgeous drink of water with a beautiful brunette tucked under his arm and I have to stop myself from swooning and melting on site. Or running up and tackling them – probably not the best approach. They are both so friendly and I instantly feel as if I have known them forever. We get in line to get our food and then fill me in on Em and Jax as well as Cole, Quinn and Chloe. I try and pry some details out of Audrey about Lane, but I don’t get as much scoop as I would like. We sit down towards the back of the restaurant where it’s quite and after we’re done eating, I figure it’s time to get started.
Lisa: “If I haven’t already told you both, thank you so much for sitting down with me.
Jace: “We don’t mind.”
Audrey: “No not at all.”
Lisa: “Well, Audrey, shall we start with you?”
Audrey: “Sure.”
Lisa: “Have you heard from either of your parents since you moved back to Texas?”
Audrey: “Absolutely not. My mom hightailed it out of here a long time ago. My dad… I heard Jace saying something about him being gone as well but I really don’t care to hear anything relating to them”.
Lisa: “Well, I know this might sound weird – but I’m glad they are out of your life! Can you imagine your life without Lane? You and he have been through a lot together…was there a specific moment where you knew above everything that you could trust Lane?”
Audrey: “I can never imagine my life without Lane. Lane is my family. Lane was the reason I stopped blaming myself for everything in the past and he helped me move forward. There was never a specific moment – Lane was just the only one to ask about my life and therefore I clung to him.”
Lisa: “Awww…I’m just glad you found someone like that, I think you are both very good for each other. Summarize Jace in one sentence.”
Audrey: “I can do it in one word – Loyal.”
Lisa: “Very nice! I’m impressed and I like your word…very fitting. How many pennies has Jace given you? 🙂 And more importantly…do you have a favorite?”
Audrey: “I have three.”
Her eyes find Jace and she gives him a smile that radiates pure joy.
Audrey: “He gave me another one on our wedding day. I think the one he engraved will always be my favorite.”
Lisa: “He’s such a sweetie! So, has Jace graced you with anymore karaoke performances?”
Audrey: “No! But I’m dying to get him to do it on our anniversary.”
Lisa: “Oh I hope you do! If you do, you have to YouTube it for me!” 😛
Audrey and I share a giggle before I turn to Jace.
Lisa: “Okay Jace, your turn – what’s the best thing about being a twin and worst thing about being a twin? I know you and Jaxon had to have caused some holy terror when you were younger…what’s the funniest ‘twin story’ you can give us?”
Jace: “I think the best and worst are the same. The confusion. I hated getting called Jaxon when I was younger. I hated that Audrey thought I was Jaxon. But at the same time Jaxon and I were hell on wheels and used to have a blast switching places. In High school we actually used to switch positions on the football field. We’d get bored and want to try something different. Coach figured it out once and damn… that wasn’t so much fun. We were sore for weeks from the “extra practice time” he gave us”.
I try and stifle my laughter, but I have the humor of a five year old – I think that’s hilarious.
Lisa: “What do you think your Dad would think of Audrey?”
Jace: “I hope that he would see how she makes me a better person. How she reminds me to laugh and have fun and that work isn’t everything.”
*Swoon* Audrey tilts her head up and kisses his cheek.
Lisa: “Wow…you know just what to say don’t you. Summarize Audrey in one sentence.”
Jace: “I’ll take her idea and do one word as well – Loving. It makes me sad how much love she has to give and that when she was younger no one accepted it. But I’m happily enjoying it now.”
Lisa: “Boy, ya’ll are good at that. Can you imagine your life without Jaxon and Cole?”
Jace: “Fuck… no I can’t. My stomach drops at even the possibility.”
Lisa: “You boys and your bro-mance are so cute. I love it so much! The pennies…the three-squeeze’s…who knew you were such a loveable little softy Jace Riley! I have to know…why did you let Audrey get away?”
Jace: “Pure stupidity.”
Lisa: “Very accurate answer. 😉 Alright, let’s try some together questions – what are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”
Jace: “ Those legs, damn! Her independence. Her sweet innocence. The way she looks with my baby, did I mention I want to knock her up again A.S.A.P? The way she fits me perfectly.”
Audrey: “He’s a gentleman. He always knows exactly what I need. His candor. His eyes. He makes me feel safe.”
Lisa: “Hmm…interesting and surprising. What’s your deepest regret?”
Jace: “You probably want to hear me say letting her get away that first night at the party? But I’m very much an everything-happens-for-a-reason kind of guy. Sometimes I wonder if we had been together in high school if we would still be here now. I dunno… so I have to say my DEEPEST regret is being cruel to her at the hospital.”
Lisa: “I’m very glad to hear that!”
Audrey: “Getting him mixed up for Jaxon. It just baffles my mind now that I was so stupid.”
Lisa: “I wouldn’t call it stupid. I would call it blinded by amazing gorgeousness…times two. A very explainable excuse. 🙂 Favorite memory?”
Jace: “Audrey naked on the beach. Best. Fucking. Honeymoon. Ever.”
Audrey: “When Jace told me he loved me on the surfboard.
Lisa: “Dirty boy Jace – I have to agree with Audrey! What do you consider your worst flaw?”
Jace: “Needing everything in my life to be mapped out and planned.”
Audrey: “Self-doubt.”
Lisa: “Most annoying pet peeve?”
Jace: “When guys hit on my girl.”
He’s so cute when he’s all protective and alpha.
Audrey: “When Jace gets mad if a guy even looks in my direction.”
She pauses and turns to look at Jace.
Audrey: “Most of the time they aren’t even hitting on me, babe.”
Jace shrugs.
Jace: “At least they find out really fucking fast who you belong to.”
Audrey: “You already knocked me up. Your territory has been marked.”
Jace: “Damn straight.”
He breaks out in a face-splitting grin. The boy is just too cute for his own good.
Lisa: “What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?”
Jace: “To live in the moment. “
Audrey: “To leave the past in the past.”
Lisa: “Both are very good lessons. Alright, time for a little game of either/or – High school or College?”
Jace: “College.”
Audrey: “College. Hands down.”
Lisa: “Chocolate or Vanilla?”
Jace: “Vanilla.”
He grins again, his eyes focused straight at Audrey’s legs. Audrey just rolls her eyes, and answers.
Audrey: “Chocolate.”
Lisa: “Hard or Soft?”
Jace: “Damn this is getting good.”
He reaches out a hand and leisurely rubs Audrey’s leg.
Jace: “Soft.”
Audrey blushes while I just sit back and giggle.
Audrey: “Hard.”
Lisa: “Glad you’re enjoying yourself Jace! Books or Movies?
Jace and Audrey: “Books.”
Lisa: “This is why I love you both. Jaxon or Em?”
Jace: “Depends on what I need.”
I burst out laughing again – Jace is hilarious.
Audrey: “Em.”
Lisa: “Fast or Slow?”
Jace: “Is it morning or nighttime? I’m usually slower in the morning.”
He winks at Audrey.
Audrey: “Fast.”
Jace: “Even in the morning?”
Audrey: “Your mind is always in the gutter. But yes… always fast.”
Jace huff’s out a sigh.
Jace: “Okay, yes ma’am!”
I am clutching my stomach and bent over in two from laughing at these two. When I finally compose myself, I go on.
Lisa: “Cole or Quinn?”
Jace and Audrey: “Chloe.”
Lisa: “Smart answer! Soda or Tea?”
Jace: “Water.”
Audrey: “Tea.”
Lisa: “Experience or Inexperience?”
Jace: “Hmm… I don’t know. Audrey knows what I like and I prefer that.”
Audrey: “I like that Jace knows what to do.”
Lisa: “Loud or Quite?”
Jace: “Loud in bed, but quite when I say.”
Audrey: “What he said.”
Lisa: “I like your way of thinking Jace. Okay, last set of questions, rapid fire – tell me the first thing that comes to mind – pennies?”
Jace: “Flat.”
Audrey: “Love.”
Lisa: “Parents?”
Jace: “The best.”
Audrey: “Ugh.”
Lisa: “Jaxon?”
Jace: “My blood.”
Audrey: “Work in progress.”
Lisa: “School?”
Jace: “On to the next one.”
Audrey: “Finished!”
Lisa: “Lane?”
Jace: “Thankful for that guy.”
Audrey: “My blood.”
Lisa: “Awww….Audrey 🙂 Forgiveness?”
Jace: “A must.”
Audrey: “Everyone deserves it at least once.”
Lisa: “Or…more than once, in someone’s case! Emerson?”
Jace: “A bulldog but she’s hilarious.”
Audrey: “The best.”
Lisa: “She is kind of a pint-sized blonde bulldog…Family?”
Jace: “What would I do without it?”
Audrey: “Sometimes you have to make your own.”
Lisa: “Oooh…I like that Audrey! Cole?”
Jace: “Like a brother.”
Audrey: “A great dad.”
Lisa: “Trust?”
Jace: “I need it.”
Audrey: “Is earned.”
Lisa: “Quinn?”
Jace: “Em’s sneaky sidekick.”
Audrey: “A good shoulder to lean on.”
Lisa: “Okay – this one’s for Jace, Audrey?”
Jace: “Beautiful.”
Lisa: “Awesome answer – Audrey, your turn – Jace?”
Audrey: “My best friend.”
Lisa: “AMAZING answer Audrey! Love it! Okay…last one, Love?”
Jace: “Audrey. It’ll only ever be her.”
*Swoon*
Audrey: “Who would have thought I’d find it?”
Lisa: “Wow…thank you both so much. I love all your answers! Ya’ll really surprised me with some of them!”
Audrey: “This was fun.”
Jace: “Yeah. Especially the end.”
He gives Audrey a devious little smile and she smacks his arm playfully. They are just too cute for words. We all walk out together and they give me hugs. I tell them to give the rest of the gang my love – maybe next time I’ll get an interview with all four boys. I might pass out from all the drool-worthiness in one room! 😛
Beautiful Broken Mess by Kimberly Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
4.5 “lucky penny” “three-squeeze-thing” Kisses
I love this series. These characters are brilliant…amazing…fabulous…stupendous…I need more positive words! The Riley boys have taken total prison of my heart and I never ever want it back. Now…before you think I’m a crazy person (which I am) you have to read Beautiful Broken Rules to completely understand and grasp the utter obsession that I have. Just read it…you’ll understand, trust me. Plus, you have to read BBR before you even touch Beautiful Broken Mess…the events that happen in BBM are co-dependent on BBR…the characters won’t make sense, the story won’t make sense…the books cannot be read as standalones. Once you’ve been sucked into the vortex that is Jaxon Riley…only then are you prepared for Jace.
Audrey Mills…no joke, I did not like Audrey in BBR, for obvious reasons. After the first chapter in BBM I regretted any and all negative thoughts. If there was ever an example of how there are two sides to every story…Audrey is the epitome of that. Any pre-judgment I have of her, I regret more than words. On the outside, you would think Audrey has the world at her feet…she’s beautiful, 5’10”, brown hair, brown eyes…but she has a few skeletons in her closet. My heart broke into a million pieces for her…she has a shitty life because of her crap-tastic parents and just when she might get a glimpse of happiness in the form of the only boy who has actually made her feeling anything…like ever…it’s so quickly snatched away from her it makes your head spin. Then…to add insult to injury it gets worse! Because…of course it does! That’s just Audrey’s life in a nutshell. There were very few times I didn’t feel bad for Audrey during the course of this book…I really just wanted her to be happy. Even her happy times are tinged with sadness because of what could’ve/should’ve been…and then there’s also the 18 years of conditioning that has turned her into this cautious girl who really struggles with letting her guard down. That’s just not natural for her. As if the conditions she was raised in weren’t rough enough, then she faced with one situation after another where she just can’t seem to win…the girl never catches a break. And what’s even worse…she’s only really loved (and been loved) by two people…her surrogate big brother/best friend/roommate, Lane…and the boy that stole her heart.
‘“Oh, is that what this is…a pick-up?” I ask, while trying to tamper down my obnoxious smile.
“Damn straight.” He leans down so our faces are only inches apart, and I can feel his breath lightly teasing my lips. In a low but firm whisper, he says, “I like you, Audrey. I plan to take you out and kiss you goodnight over and over until you agree to let me do it all again the next night.”
Floor. Puddle. Me. Holy Hell.’
Jace Riley…is it possible to love two guys, that are so alike and yet so different? I hope it is…because that’s what I am facing right now with Jace and Jax Riley. Now…I am all about equality. Jax got a list…so Jace does to – it’s only fair! – so here we go:
1.) He’s tall…6’2” – LOVE!
2.) Dark Hair – all part of that TD&H package I love so much
3.) Gorgeous Blue Eyes…like the ocean *sigh*
4.) Smart as hell – double major, pre-med and business…Mmm…love my smart boys
5.) Twin Factor – double my pleasure, double my fun! 🙂
6.) He too has a flaw like Jaxon…he loves to stick his foot in his mouth. A lot.
7.) More of those super sexy tattoo’s – he’s got more than Jax now!
8.) Former football player…turned boxer – the boy can kick some butt and has a killer body because of it…
9.) He souped up that old school Camaro
10.) Perks of being Jax’s twin…he gets to drive the motorcycle and big sexy truck too
11.) He’s sweet and sentimental and kind and has honest, good heart
12.) And still the best reason EVER….he’s from Texas!
As if I needed more reasons to love Jace…personality wise, he and Jax are very different. Jax is very much about action while Jace likes to sit back and think…for example, Jax does whatever he wants, while Jace will consider everyone else’s feelings before his own. He does have good intentions, he’s a great friend and amazing brother, but he also wants to be his own person…away from Jax, which is hard for him to come to terms with at times. I liked getting to know Jace more…but all it did was make me crave him more…funny how that works.
‘Twins? Jace is an identical twin? This has to be a monumental misunderstanding. First of all, there should never be two guys who look like this set free to roam the female population. Second of all, that should be the first thing that comes out of their mouths! ‘Hi, I’m Jace and I have an identical twin brother, so don’t accidently kiss him.’ Anything to help us poor confused girls out.’
Jace and Audrey have a past…an interesting past too…and of course, one that involves Jax. Like I said, if I went with my gut based on what I thought I knew from BBR (which is what I did) you can imagine my surprise in learning the full story. It’s not easy. It’s actually frustrating…then sad…and heartbreaking…and it hurts. But even through all of that hurt and sadness…I truly felt their connection. There were so many outside forces that made their relationship difficult but when it came down to the core of Audrey and Jace…it was all good. He loved her, she loved him – case closed. It’s the rest of the stuff that got messy. They had chemistry…granted, not as much as Jax and Em IMO…but Jax and Em were off the charts. Jace and Audrey’s connection was very different in that respect though…while they had that electric magnetism that Jax and Em did…Jace is a very different lover than Jax. He’s a little dom – which…for the record, in case you were wondering is..H.O.T.. It’s very understated and I liked that, but I loved that Audrey brought that out in him and he was exactly what she needed.
“I’ve walked passed so many pennies in my life, never bothering to pick them up because none of them were ever appealing to me. Then one day, I literally crashed into the most gorgeous penny I’d ever seen, so I picked her up off the ground, wiped away her tears, and became mesmerized by her every movement. Stupidly, I let that penny get away from me, and I’ve regretted it ever since. You were my lucky penny, Audrey, and I’ve been dreaming about you for years.”
My fav part about series…getting to see the original cast and characters…Jax, Em, Cole and Quinn. Gah! I forgot how much I missed them. And seeing them from a different POV, a different context…I couldn’t love them anymore than I already did. I loved that Em and Audrey were able to get the truth out in the open, bury the hatchet and just be friends. That’s my Em! So, this whole time we are getting Audrey and Jace…but we are also getting little bits and pieces of the others – they play their own parts in the plot as well and I SQUEE’d…on multiple occasions. Just makes me love them more and more…keep it up Kimberly Lauren. Oh…and the new boy on the block…Lane – do I even need to go into how much detail I crave this boy’s story??? OOOOMG…there is some juice there and I want it now! He and Audrey basically only have each other to rely on, I could not get enough of their friendship – he’s like an older brother and he’s just a million different kind of amazing, plus he’s a man whore, which means I have a soft spot in my heart for him already…and there is just so much more I want to know about him!
‘I look up into her eyes and ask, “What is your deepest fear?”
“Being alone,” she whispers back. “I didn’t realize how alone I used to be until I met Lane, and then I didn’t fully accept it until I found you again. I’ve finally freed myself from that fear. I don’t ever want to go back, but I know I can survive it.” I lean in and kiss her side one more time before standing up and looking down at her beautiful face. I grasp her face on both sides and speak to her, hoping it reaches the deepest part of her.
“Never again, baby. I never want you to feel alone again,” I express, and she stands on her toes to capture my mouth.’
I really cannot get enough of this series…the writing is spot on for me. The number of highlights I made in BBR is pretty out of control and with BBM it is just as ridiculous. I could probably write a second review with just quotes…still never give away any of the plot or story and I would still have more to say about it. There are just some books that I can babble all day long about and never run out of good things to say…this is series is one of them. It has everything I like and just the right kind of balance to keep me completely engaged and in the moment with the characters. And OMG if you cannot tell how much I love the characters yet, then I am clearly doing something wrong. Apart from each other, Jace, Audrey, Jax, Em, Cole and Quinn are all amazing characters. Combined…the just blow me away. The emotions hit hard, the feelings are raw and genuine, the plot is engaging and the pace and flow is perfection.
‘“I guess it means I.” Squeeze. “Love.” Squeeze. “You.” Squeeze. ‘
The epilogue…surprised me! I mean…the final chapter was swoony and amazing and had me drooling all over myself with glee…and then, the epilogue and turns out their ending isn’t as simple as one might think. It was a longer epilogue than I expected, but I really liked how everything was tied up – and yet left me wanting more! Especially those last lines! Is it sad that I just want to make these 7 people like my bestest friends forever and just hang out with them? I can’t help it. They’re just the best…and I will never get my fill of them. Kimberly could write about them picking their noses and counting stars in the sky and I would eat it up with a big spoon and ask for more. They’re authentic and genuine and funny…and it helps that they are hot as hell and sexy as can be. To say I am anxiously awaiting Beautiful Broken Promises and all Lane’s goodness is an understatement. If BBR and BBM are the standards that have been set for this series…we’re in for awesomeness. EEEEP! Can’t wait!
I’m a wanderer, an adventurer, a traveler.
I want to see it all. I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list.
“She travels the world & home is always in her heart.”
Lately if I’m not traveling or chasing a toddler, I’m writing. Which is weird because I hated writing in college. Oh wait, that’s because that was boring. Who really wants to sit there and cite all your sources into APA format? Not this girl. Writing for yourself is enjoyable and cathartic. Please try it. Then tell me about because I love indie authors.
When I was 19, I packed up and followed my high school sweetheart from Texas to California. We had a blast living it up in San Diego. Four years later we made a crazy decision and packed up again and moved to Germany. What? Yep, you read that right. Guess what? Best decision ever! We OWNED Europe. For three years we saw as much as we possibly could. We lived an hour outside of France, a couple from Switzerland and Italy. Most amazing time of my life. Please go out there and see the world, you won’t regret it. After Europe we moved back to California, and for now we’re just debating our next adventure.
I earned a degree in Child Development. And now I write novels. Makes perfect sense! I write because I walk around all day with these stories in my head. It’s nice to be able to get them out of my head in an organized fashion. I hope that someone out there enjoys them, because I have enjoyed so many others’.
