NO BREAKING MY HEART is book five in Kate Angell's Barefoot William series. Kate Angell always provides the perfect beach read and NO BREAKING MY HEART is another dazzling romance in a fabulous series. NO BREAKING MY HEART works as a stand-alone story, but it might be worth reading the previous book -- NO ONE LIKE YOU -- to get a better understanding of Halo Todd and how he has grown since that book.

There are two romances in NO BREAKING MY HEART, but both heroes are baseball players, teammates, and best friends. Each romance gets equal time so that neither feels rushed. What starts out as an unlikely encounter with a girl in a chicken suit, and an ignominious yet amusing game show appearance, ends up transforming Halo Todd's life.

After suffering from betrayal in her past, Alyn Jayne is a little gun-shy about starting a new romantic relationship. Having this story told from alternating perspectives gives the reader greater insight into the characters. Alyn tries to lock down her feelings for Halo, but the sexual tension eventually reaches a breaking point. Kate Angell strikes a great balance between eroticism and emotionally powerful storytelling.

Halo and Alyn's romance is more than just a story about a love affair between two people. Halo winds up falling for Alyn's entire family, and the feeling is mutual. The bonding between Halo and Alyn's kid brother Danny adds depth to the characters as well as the story itself. Of the two friends, Landon Kane initially appears to be the most receptive to having a long-term committed relationship with a woman. Landon has had an eye on Eden Cates, while being uncharacteristically tongue-tied in her presence.

Landon and Eden's romance is a tale of two people who had a strong initial attraction, but misinterpreted signals before finally taking a chance on romance. I like how easy and natural Landon and Eden's relationship becomes, while still keeping the spark of a new and intoxicating attraction. I love the way that Kate Angell has two best friends mature and find love at about the same time. Both romances are equally intriguing and sexy without overshadowing each other.

Kate Angell has a way of breathing life into her engaging animal characters and making readers just as invested in their stories as the human ones. It was great seeing cameo appearances by Atlas, the Doberman with the large personality, from NO ONE LIKE YOU. Characters like Alyn's disabled dog Quigley, and the others that pop up throughout NO BREAKING MY HEART, draw out the main characters as well as adding something special to the story. The scenes between the canine characters are some of the most heartwarming in NO BREAKING MY HEART.

NO BREAKING MY HEART is a story packed with love, fun, and two red-hot summer romances. Halo and Landon are exactly the kind of flawed yet incredibly likeable and charming heroes I yearn for. Each supporting character in NO BREAKING MY HEART is a gem and enhances this highly entertaining story. I can't wait for the next Kate Angell book -- contemporary romance at its finest!

Book Summary

Relationship Status: Complicated

Professional baseball player Halo Todd doesn't like failure, but he can never turn down a challenge. Especially when there's a pretty woman involved. How else would he end up dressed as a rooster, helping a complete stranger compete on a wacky game show? Even when they're eliminated after the first round, Halo isn't about to lose the girl…

Alyn is stunned when gorgeous, generous Halo whisks her off for a dream vacation to the beach--she's been let down by friends and even family so many times, she's lost count. Later, he offers to lend a hand getting her vintage shop up and running. But his constant--and ridiculous--purchases are the last thing she needs. How can she convince the stubborn man that she doesn't need his help--not when all she wants is his heart…