** spoiler alert ** Gorgeous was amazing and breathtaking. I do love an almost 'forbidden' romance. Brecklyn and Cade's relationship seemed to me like it was one sided forbidden. Cade had forbidden himself from ever allowing himself to be happy. To have a life with another that he didn't see as a brother or a team member.

I don't think a book as ever made me feel like I can overcome anything that is holding me back. Gorgeous is like a wake up call to those who are holding back from doing they love because they are in the mind set that they do not belonging that type of life.

Brecklyn, I love her. She is fearless, no matter how many times Cade was an asshole to her she carried on doing Anniston proud with her role as the one to teach the boys to cook. I don't think it truly worked as most kitchen scenes with cooking involved her mostly when Theo and Anniston were on their honeymoon. I love how she continued to push Cade, not in an annoying, but she encouraged him by pushing him into believing he could be. I loved her love for him, I love that she didn't blame Cade for anything, she just continued to love him and tried to found out the real Cade she learned about from her brother in his letters.

Cade, I love him. I want him in my life. Get him out of this book and in my life. Enough said. He was amazing and loving. He was an asshole but it just made me smile. I loved every minute. I felt his struggles. I felt his love. I felt his cheekiness. I love his character so much it is unreal. This character is the hero for those who have struggled that no matter what happens to us, no matter our past we can still change. We can still be strong. We can still be happy. Even when, our love sees us for the first time in oral sex with another. I laughed at that part, it was unexpected of Cade but it was an amazing way to have someone lay their eyes on someone. ( )

4.6 stars

What a delightful story. Cade is first seen in Commander in Briefs. For a while there I was team Cade until Theo won my heart. I am glad for that too because I wouldn't have wanted anyone else with him besides Breck. Breck truly was a warrior. I loved her tenacity, courage, and unwavering dedication to Cade. Cade sweet lord. This poor guy. The guilt that he feels truly made my heart ache.

The author did an exceptional job portraying what life is like for so many soldiers coming back from war. I loved the idea of what this book is doing to help soldiers. I wish there was more of this compassion in the world today. This book had a lot of build up between Cade and Breck which was nice to see. When the steam did happen though... sweet lord. HOT. One of the hottest scenes that I have read this year (and I have read almost 700 books so far so that says something) was when Cade was in the workout room with Breck. Sweet Holy titfire.... and there is a Mortal Combat reference at the end of this scene that made me spew out my tea when I read it. TOO funny. Also, can I just mention that this author is the queen of proposals? I didn't think she could outdo Ans and Theo's. I was wrong. Speaking of Theo. This guy. He says some of the funniest stuff that I have ever read.

I hope that the other guys get their stories too. Great second book. It is a standalone but I would still read the first book. This author just keeps getting better and better. ( )

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: Cade has PTSD and some of his episodes are violent


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes, with epilogue

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






 See full review on The Book Disciple ( )