Gorgeous by Kristy Marie Pages: 303
Series: Commander in Briefs #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Georgia
Source: ARC
Goodreads
Breck: My name is Brecklyn Brannon, and I’m not who I claim to be. A year ago, I packed up my promising life in the city for a man I saw only once. Accepting a temporary job with Cade and four blazing hot veterans should have been my way in. Except, Cade acts like he would rather be tortured than speak to me. He can resist all he wants, but I made a promise that I intend to keep. Even if it costs me everything.
Cade: I’ve watched her for over a year. There’s something about her that seems familiar… but now that she’s living here for two weeks, I could care less what it is. I just want her gone. Breck is temptation personified, and some lines can't be crossed. I'm Major Cade Jameson, and I made a promise, too. One that I can't break. No matter how hard it gets.
Gorgeous was ALMOST a DNF for me. The first 10-20% of the book was just not my style. Raunchy, crass, and crude were all the theme and it made me feel nothing for the characters except disgust. But, I kept reading. The reviews were so good. I’m glad I did. This book had me crying! Even though Breck and Cade were crass in their conversations with each other and others, I actually loved their story.
Breck’s brother died in Afghanistan while serving under Cade. After Cade’s men all died, he lost it and began living on the streets in a small town in Georgia. His recovery is part of book 1 in the series, Commander in Briefs, which I didn’t read (didn’t really affect my understanding of the story). Breck sees a homeless Cade on TV and decides to give up her life in NYC and move to podunk Georgia and save Cade. I will admit, this plan did not give me hope for Breck. What an idiotic idea and quite frankly, really narcissistic of her to think SHE can save Cade. But, whatever.
Cade is attracted to Breck and NOT happy about it. He has demons and does not feel he deserves happiness (survivors guilt). His friends intervene though and force him and Breck into situations together to push him. Breck and Cade have enough baggage for multiple life times so their story is mountainously rocky! While I didn’t initially connect to these two because of all the crude talk, I did find their stories were emotional and painful. I had tears streaming down my face at multiple points. When Cade would lash out in anger at Breck my heart broke for her.
I’m not sure when Gorgeous wormed into my heart and took hold, but it did. The raw emotions and struggles of all the characters (not just Breck and Cade) are impossible to ignore and are so real it hurts. If you like broken heroes and tough girls who want to save them, Gorgeous is a perfect pick. Unless you don’t like crude sexual references ALL THE TIME. If that is the case, you won’t make it past the 20% mark.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: yes
- Trope: ex-military, secret identity
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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other ex-military romance books like Men of Honor series by KC Lynn, Axel by Harper Sloan, Cowboy SEAL Homecoming by Nicole Helm…then you will probably like Gorgeous!
Gorgeous
No, I’m not a prude, but I don’t think I would like the crass talk etc. however, I am glad you were finally able to enjoy it.