ARC Review: HARD TO BREAK by Bella Jewel

Hard to Break
by Bella Jewel

Quinn has spent her whole life working in her dad's garage, leaving her more comfortable with a carburetor than a curling iron. Her world is turned upside down when her beloved garage is bought by none other than world famous, sexy as sin, custom car builder, Tazen Watts. He's the one man she can't stand...even though he makes her hotter than a high performance engine in top gear.

Tazen has no use for Quinn, at least not professionally, and he's making sure she knows it. But there's a spark between them that she's finding hard to ignore. She's determined to prove her talent is as impressive as her sassy mouth. When she finds out Tazen is hiding a secret that could bring down his career and everyone involved in it, she wonders: is falling for him is going to be work the risk?

**Hard To Break is a full-length standalone romance with a HEA**

I really enjoyed the premise of the story.  Tomboy and loner, Quinn has spent most of her life under the hood of a car.  Daughter of a mechanic, she has been trained to fix cars and manage her father's garage.  It's a good thing because her father is quickly spiraling out of control under the influence of alcohol.  Barely managing to keep afloat, the Pixie Wheel garage is purchased by a high-profile, celebrity mechanic, Tazan Watts.  

This is an engaging enemies to lovers story.  The problem I have is that it feels one dimensional.  I think this is a result of the first person voice.  I understand Quinn pretty well, but Tazan less so.  I learned things about Tazan, but I didn't get much sense of what he was thinking inside his head.  I've read other books from this perspective, but they haven't bothered me as much as this one.  I really want to know more about this potentially fantastic character. 

There are also dangling storylines that beg to be developed.  Early on, Quinn embraces the mechanics from her father's shop as family members. However, for most of the book, they don't exist in any meaningful way.  Instead, we are introduced to several new mechanics in Tazan's garage.  Too many people - not enough storylines.  

The same holds true for Quinn's rival, Sheyenne.  She has the potential to be a deliciously evil character, but without more investment, she's just the "crazy chick." 

The series is titled An Alpha's Heart and that's what the books are about, the heart of the alpha. If you enjoy stories from first person point of view, featuring an uber alpha and a smart, spunky heroine, this book is for you!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions therein are my own and I was not paid for this review.