Kiki Michaelson was just after a one night stand with the guy she has been lusting after, Darren Cole. But he is determined to turn her down. He has his reasons although he is having a hard time really resisting her. She has to be off limits. Not only is she his friend Cade's sister, but he's got his own personal issues.

But out of this failed night, an unlikely friendship begins. He had a busy life with complications and road blocks to getting close. She also has up walls. But when she breaks through his barriers and he finds himself wanting to give them a chance, that just makes her nervous and kicks in her running instincts. She wanted him for one night when she couldn't have him, but the thought of really having him for something more scares the crap out of her.

Kiki is optimistic about life but cynical about men. She's witty, bright, brave, and determined. She guards herself and thinks she can only handle casual one nighters. Real relationships scare her, even being his friend scares her because she knows she has the potential to get hurt.

Darren is quiet, broody, bossy, and mysterious. He is used to multi-tasking and barely keeping his complicated life together. He's got his secrets and does not think he has room for a relationship, but finds himself drawn more and more to Kiki.

I liked their flirty, witty banter. There was lots of sexual tension and a slow build up. They had good chemistry, but had thick walls between them and it took a long time to chip away at them. The full mystery of their pasts was slowly revealed explaining their fears and insecurities. It was told in dual points of view allowing us to feel it along with them. I liked when we got to see their vulnerability more, especially since could both be very stubborn and resistant at times.

These are two people struggling over what they really want, are scared that they might find it and then not get to keep it. And even when they start to gain hope, they still have complications to face that have the potential to ruin their fragile bond. They both have hidden depths and demons that will have to be addressed in order to have a chance at growing. 

This is the beginning of the new Unbreakable series, but apparently Kiki's brother Cade, Hannah, and their family and friends are all from the No Weddings series.  I had no problem reading it without reading the other series though. I liked all of the humor and camaraderie between the extended family and friends.  The next book in this series will feature Cade's friend, Mase.

ARC provided by authors in exchange for an honest review. 

All she wanted was a one night stand. Her attraction to him was something she couldn’t ignore, but her determination to not let another man hurt her meant one night only. But she could handle that.

All he wanted was to not fail the only other person left in his life who meant something. The temptation Kiki presented gave him pause for the first time since he promised himself he wouldn’t fail again.

Kiki and Darren smoldered, each determined to keep the other at arm's’ length and each using different measurements for that arm. Kiki was willing to jump into bed with Darren once. But Darren didn’t want to mess with his buddy’s sister if it was just a fling, and he couldn’t afford to let her in any further.

I loved the way these two connected. Their attempts at remaining in the friend zone were the perfect activities for them, as individuals and as a couple. The activities challenged each to open up and become vulnerable in ways they had avoided for too long. The bond that grew during this time was one that developed far beyond the physical attraction that first pulled them together.

Music and art played a large role in both Darren and Kiki’s life and it’s inclusion gave the story a richer feeling and some added twists. The people and storylines that emerge as a result of the artistic direction challenge each character in their own ways. 

Though this is a spin off from Kat and Stone Bastion’s No Weddings series, readers do not need to have read those books in order to fully enjoy this one. I had not heard of the original series until I had picked up Heartbreaker, and had no trouble finding my way through this story. The second book in the Unbreakable series, Risk Taker, focuses on Mase, who readers meet here as he is friends with both Darren and Kiki.

Kat and Stone Bastion

Kat and Stone Bastion’s bestselling first novel No Weddings and the No Weddings series were named Best of 2014 by multiple romance review blogs.

When not defining love and redemption through scribed words, they enjoy spending their time mountain biking and hiking in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

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