ARC Review: ‘The Heartbreaker’ by Sara Cate
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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The Heartbreaker
by Sara CateSeries: The Goode Brothers #3
Published by Self-Published on August 30, 2024
SubGenres: BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 362
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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I’ve been quiet long enough.I’m nothing like my brothers. I’ve devoted my life to my work, and I don’t care about God or family.I live alone, and I like it that way. Soon, I’ll have the job of my dreams far away from this place, and that’s all that matters. Everything is going perfectly.That is until Sadie Green walks into my class.She is brilliant and funny and infuriating, and she’s ruining everything I have planned for my life.When she gets the news that she’s pregnant, and the baby’s father isn't going to help her, I step in. She needs guidance, control, and discipline.Moving her into my house is a risk. If I’m caught living with my pregnant student, I will lose my job and everything I have planned.But the first time she asks me to punish her, I know it won’t be so easy to walk away—because I love it.Being with her would risk everything, but God help me, I can’t seem to stop.Before long, I don’t recognize the good teacher I used to be.
I’ve enjoyed Sara Cate’s books, especially the SPC series, which is one of my favorite series ever. I’ve also enjoyed the first two books in her latest series, The Goode Brothers. The third installment, The Heartbreaker, focuses on Lucas Goode, and I was excited to read his book. This was one of my most-anticipated reads for 2024, especially when it’s a Forbidden Romance story between a Professor and a College Student.
I love Surprise Pregnancies in books, and Sara Cate intrigued me when she announced that it was not only a Surprise Pregnancy but one in which the baby is not the MMC’s baby. I wanted to know how she was going to handle that in The Heartbreaker. It definitely was an interesting surprise pregnancy with how Sadie ended up pregnant, which happens within the first couple of chapters.
I did have some issues with this book, though. I’m not a fan of a bratty submissive, especially one who acts the way Sadie did in this book. She drove me crazy and didn’t even get me started with how she handled Jax, the guy who got her pregnant. I truly wanted to like her character, but what sealed the deal with me not liking her was when she manipulated Lucas into deciding something that he shouldn’t have had to make because she couldn’t handle him not picking her. If this were reversed, we would be rooting for the girl to stay with her decision and not choose the guy. She should have been supportive of Lucas’s decisions and realized he could pursue his dreams while also being with her.
When it came to Lucas, I liked him, but I didn’t love his character. I loved that he loved helping others because that gave him a purpose. He was there for his younger brother, Isaac, who appeared several times in this book. He’s the Goode brother I’m definitely looking forward to reading his HEA.
At the beginning of the book, Lucas is described as a workaholic, having his job come first, and he never wanted a relationship or kids, but that changes when he meets Sadie. He not only falls hard for Sadie, but he magically has this inkling to become dominant to her. This is what I couldn’t believe. Maybe if Sara had touched more on how he knew how to be one, I would have believed it more. He was also mild compared to other dominants I’ve read from Sara and even other BDSM books I’ve read.
This was an okay read for me, and I wish I had enjoyed it more. It did have some steam, but not as steamy as the previous two books and Sara Cate’s SPC series. I give this book three stars, and I’m definitely planning on reading the last book in the series because it’s Isaac Goode’s book. I’ve been wanting to read his book since book one.
Just because I didn’t enjoy The Heartbreaker doesn’t mean other readers won’t find it enjoyable. If you enjoy reading the Forbidden Romance between a Professor and his student who is pregnant by another man, then check out this book.
What to Expect:
💋Forbidden Romance
💋Professor/Student
💋Dom/Sub Relationship
💋Surprise Pregnancy (Not the MMC’s baby)
💋Grumpy/Sunshine
💋Roommates to Lovers
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. It will help sponsor future giveaways but costs you nothing extra. You can read the full disclosure underneath the Privacy Policy.
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My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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