Review: Abruption by Riley Mackenzie

Everyone has a plan. 

Dr. Guy Hunter secures his dream fellowship with a beautiful free spirit by his side. Two unexpected blue lines don’t even shake his resolve—he is on his way to having it all. Until he isn’t. 

Abruption: a sudden breaking off 

Jules Chiappetti loves her boisterous over-involved Italian family but is determined to pave her own way. An MBA and boardroom job is her ticket out. Until it isn’t.  

Abruption: an unexpected event 

Four years later, Guy is consumed by the challenges of being a single father, still struggling with the aftermath that derailed his life and left his son with special needs. He doesn’t realize his world went dark the same day his wife’s did, until Jules, his son’s new nurse, shows him the light. 


4.5 Stars
Review by Natasha Gentile

I was first introduced to threes two writers last year when their two books- Beautifully Awake and Beautifully Done left me picking my jaw up from the floor.  I was very excited when I found out we were finally getting another book by them and I couldn't wait to dive in.  I will say that I was scared; especially after they gutted me the last time.  

Everyone has a plan.

Dr. Guy Hunter had always known what he is going to do.  The future was written in the stars but just like that the fates decided, he was going down another path.  A safer path for him.  I mean it's not every day your wife finds out she's pregnant with your second child within what seems like days from her delivering your first bundle of joy. When push came to shove and ultimatums were given he went with the only logical choice;  the only choice he could make. He chose his family over his dreams.

 My family or my career.

One choice.

One that took absolutely no thought.

I just never dreamed that my wife would make me choose.

Four years later Guy has many challenges, being a single father is one of them.  Being a single dad to a special needs child is his biggest challenge to date.

Abruption: a sudden breaking off.

When another visit to the ER has him locking horns with a new nurse.  Not new to the ER but new to Guy.

Jules Chiappetti loves her job.  She's especially drawn to children.  She wants to be that one that makes a difference.  I really loved her as the heroine.  

She had never had the pleasure of going toe to toe with Guy.  Let's just say that if their first meeting was any indication of the future, then this friendship was doomed.

I  crossed my arms and shrugged.  I owed him nothing, and I certainly wasn't going to coddle after his recent immature behavior towards me.  

It seems the only one who has an issue with Jules is Guy.  His son Finn has already formed a friendship with his new nurse. 

Abruption: an unexpected event

Guy doesn't know what it is about Jules that has him twisted in knots.  He's got two kids to take care of.  Many surgeries to perform.  His life has no spare time to give, but he just can't stay away from her.  

Jules is a mystery to everyone including her big boisterous Italian family.  She's been going through the motions of living, not ever giving her heart away again.  But then she is thrust into this family. Guy's family, his two beautiful children, Maxie and Finn.  

She too can't seem to look away from what is happening right in front if her.  She goes with it.. She takes a chance on it.

Guy's laughter filled the small restaurant. And I thought I loved his laugh before.  This one topped it.  I also figured out where Finn got his humongous cheese and adorable dimples.  Although I wouldn't use the word adorable in this case.  Nope.  Definitely not adorable.  The adjectives I'd use were not for this PG crowd.

What starts out as just a friendly date slowly grows into something more.  Something that neither of them thought possible. Both of them guarding their hearts.  Both unsure of what they are actually capable of giving.  But both falling ever so fast in love with each other.  

Your life is like this tree, deeply rooted with a solid foundation and countless branches linking your past throes with future dreams.  

Every tree faces inevitable storms and strong winds testing the strength of its roots.  Branches break.  New ones grow.  It will flower and leaves will fall.  And from your tree new life will emerge.  In the end, rough with purpose and perseverance your tree will prevail, and each will be beautifully individuals and uniquely different.  A full circle of such.

I fell in love with these characters.  I fell in love with the family that went through hell and back and in the end prevailed through it all.  A family that in the end was compete.