[Portia’s Review]: Broken (Blackwater Pack #1.5) by Hannah McBride

A beta in denial

Rhodes DeWitt has always known he was a lost cause. The Blackwater beta embraces the bad boy label with open arms, praying that the girl next door will never know that the one thing he wants is the one girl he can’t have.

A heart that’s breaking

After spending years in love with the boy next door, Larkin Dawes is ready to move on. Her head knows this is for the best. Her heart hasn’t quite gotten the memo.

The storm of the century

Trapped and isolated together as a blizzard rages around them, Rhodes will finally have to decide if he’s going to watch Larkin move on with or without him.

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

So when I read Sanctum, the first book in the series (click the title to see my review!) I loved Remy, the alpha, and the rest of the readers swooned for him too. But he wasn’t rough around the edges enough for me. I had my eye on the next in line, Rhodes. I loved his sense of humor and cocky attitude. I loved how strongly he loved, even though he had a hard time showing it. I needed more of him. My excitement over this novella and the opportunity to be in his head was through the roof!

I also love Skye, she is so sweet and has been through a rough time at school and has spent a long time being in love with Rhodes yet trapped in the friendzone. This novel puts them at home for the holidays, where they live next door to each other, as they have since they were children. They finally end up in a situation where they are both forced to confront feelings, and once that is done…. things get STEAMY!

“Tell me to stop,” he repeated, his voice huskier and rougher than before. I felt the finger pressed in the valley between my breasts tremble for just a second. I held his gaze with mine. “Don’t you dare stop”

I mean it just gets sexier and sexier as they begin to explore what they have both been holding back for so long. It was done so well, without feelings cringy or overly vulgar (as some sex scenes tend to more often that I would like), but it still put the heat in me.

Don’t worry, that isn’t the only thing happening in this book. Rhodes deals with family drama and facing his past, and it helps us to get to know the beta so much better and deeper. I love him so much more than I anticipated I would, even though I already knew he was my choice (sorry, Remy!). This was such a fantastic addition to the series, even just as a novella. It was short and sweet and gave us much needed time with two important characters and in depth views of the growing relationship and new dynamic. I cannot wait to see how this all fits in to the next novel and with the story line!

Portia

Hi, I’m Portia! I’ve been an obsessive reader and pop culture addict my entire life, with a particular passion for horror and thrillers. I love being a part of the book community and can regularly be found working various book events. I’m an admin here at Ideally Inspired Reviews!

When I am not binge reading or obsessing over true crime podcasts and shows, I am a bar manager by night and a mom and wife by day. If I find any time after that, I love to travel, spend time outdoors, and fit as much live music into my life as possible. You can find me on Instagram @Ideally.Portia or TikTok @itsportiabitch.