Another new author to add to my collection. Thanks NetGalley. Breaking A Legend is a sultry look at the struggles to start over. Rory has to face a career ending injury and Clare is running away from her past and focusing on her future. Sarah Robinson did a beautiful job of luring the reader in to the world of MMA. I also liked how she allows the reader to follow the story through each characters mindset in their own words, from their point of view. That was a nice touch. Great start to the Kavanagh series. I received an ARC of Breaking a Legend in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Breaking a Legend is quite possibly my favorite book of 2015. I don't say that lightly either because I have read some amazing books this year. Here is why this one beats them all:
1. The book doesn't focus on Rory's rise to fame in the MMA. It doesn't focus on his superstardom in the MMA world. The book starts after he has lost all that due to an injury. And to say he isn't handling the loss well is an understatement. I love that the book isn't about becoming great or being great in the cage. Its about what happens when you can't be that any more. It isn't about rehabbing an injury so he can get back in the ring. His fighting days are done and it brings a level of depth to the story that is amazing and engaging.
2. Clare's story is one we have heard before but better written. Yes she is on the run from a terrible, abusive ex. However, you learn things about her that add a different spin on this trope. It really is perfect because its so real. It was one of those moments when I thought "Oh, gosh! Why hasn't anyone mentioned something like this before?". I won't tell you what it was, but it will be a moment for you too. Suddenly, every other book with the broken girl on the run trope will fail woefully short now.
3. The Kavanagh's are this amazing Irish family. Are the perfect? Heck no! One brother is in jail, one is a drug addict, and they are all dealing with some personal demons. But they love each other in a very real way. They fight but they apologize. The argue but they forgive. Its all so believable.

So, I initially thought this was just another MMA fighter book. Hot fighter falls for a girl who needs saving. Don't get me wrong-I love that trope. However, I don't think I can read another book about an MMA fighter or a girl on the run again because it will never be as good as this book. Sarah Robinson has ruined all other books for me. Honestly, I couldn't be happier about it. This is a book I will gladly read over and over again just to experience it! This is a book that when people ask you for your favorite book, I will tell them "Breaking a Legend" and I won't hesitate. I am now a HUGE Sarah Robinson fan girl! ( )

After I finished this book, I just sat there trying to figure out what I could say about this book. Sarah has a knack for slow-building romance that makes your heart melt. I am still struggling with words to describe what I really think of this book.

The plot of this story is slow-building, which I like. It's perfect for this story. It moved a just the right pace that I didn't feel bored or rushed while reading it. Every little climax hit at just the right moment making me want more.

The characters... We all love broken characters. What isn't there to love? They are handed to us in pieces, then we get to watch them pick up the pieces and then slowly put them back together to create one masterpiece. Rory and Clare are just those characters. And their story is just that, a masterpiece.

There were just a couple issues with this story I had a hard time with. Although the pacing with the story was grand, there were a few gliches. Clare didn't exhibit abuse survivor to me. She was to quick to jump to someone with some serious issues. And with that, Rory was able to kick his habits too quickly and easily. Had these two things been a little more drawn out and realistic, this book would have definitely been a five star read! ( )

So, when I first looked at this book, I honestly was unsure about what I was going to be reading. But from the first chapter it was more than I thought it was and the story blew my mind and stole my heart!
Rory was one of the best MMA fighters, until one bad fight took him down and ended his career. 12 months later and he is addicted to pain killers, alcohol and seems to go through women like they are paper towels. But that all changes (other than hitting a bar a manager) when he runs into a waitress called Clare at the local bar. She makes him realize just how empty he was and how he wanted to get better not only for her and his big Irish family, but also himself.
Clare has secrets! Big enough secrets that she fleas California and comes to Woodlawn in the Bronx; A place where everyone knows each other and the Irish Mafia is always lingering in the background. But then Clare goes and does something that is stupid in her situation! She falls in love with Rory! Until that day when both of their pasts comes crashing back into their lives.
This book truly moved me! I fell in love with the whole Kavanagh clan! And I am honestly chopping at the bit to get my hands on the next book! I am also dying for Jimmy’s story! The writing was perfect and the story gripping and thrilling! There was only one disappointment through the whole book. The author seemed to brush lightly over Rory breaking an addiction, like it was so very easy to quit prescription drugs. So because of that, I am hesitant to give a perfect score.
For that one small draw back, Breaking a Legend is an amazing story, which I believe is just the tip of the iceberg. I gave Breaking a Legend 9 out of 10!
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This series revolves around a huge Irish family out of Brooklyn, five brothers consisting of MMA fighters, bad boys and cops... oh and their pop who dabbled in the Irish Mafia. Can you smell the yummy testosterone? I really liked this huge close-knit Irish family, their relationship dynamics were great and what you hope to see in any large family.

The eldest brother, Rory, has been suffering from substance abuse and depression since a career-ending injury (a grisly injury which you will get to experience at the outset of the story). Continuously popping pills and smelling of whiskey, Rory is not the fun-loving brother that the Kavanagh family grew up with. He has checked out and become somewhat of a loner. Obviously this is a difficult and tense situation, but I think a little more angst could have been added to create empathy and a stronger emotional connection to Rory's character. I liked his gruff personality and brooding alpha maleness, but its not hard to get me going in that regard. My favorite aspect of Rory's character was him working to rehabilitate fight/bait dogs at the animal rescue center. I also loved loved loved Rory's sidekick, Ace. The author did a good job with Ace's backstory so I actually has a stronger connection with this rescue dog than I did our main characters.

Clare has come to New York on the run from an abusive ex-boyfriend. She is trying to start over and keep everyone at a distance, but she also yearns for a family after losing her parents. Clare has this tortured past... but I never really felt it. She just didn't come off as a battered woman to me - but everyone responds differently to these situations so I tried to take that with a grain of salt. I just wanted a stronger connection with her character.

I started to disconnect with the story around 70% and I just could not renew my interest for some reason. I don't think it had anything to do with the writing, I think I was just headed into a reading slump. For the safe sex army, you may be up in arms about the lack of condoms and an oddly placed one sentence sex talk after some of the unprotected sexytimes has already happened a couple times. Usually this does not bother me and I just let it roll... but in this case, Rory was somewhat of a manwhore and they just dove right in and then after the second time there was that "are you on the pill?" and quickly changing the subject. So that highlighted the issue more for me than if the issue would have been ignored altogether.

I loved the Irishness of the story. (Is Irishness a thing?) However sometimes the random Gaelic phrases seemed oddly placed. Do Irish American families actually speak Gaelic? I didn't think people in Ireland actually speak much Gaelic anymore, so I don't think it was necessary to the story. That being said, it didn't take anything away from it either so kudos to the author for either knowing Gaelic or looking it up!

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars / 3 flames.
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