Breaking Character

This story is serendipitous for me. The essay portion of a college entrance exam I took a few years ago required me to defend my position concerning celebrities’ right to privacy. I opposed the idea at the time believing celebrities know the consequences beforehand when it comes to the demands of the omnipresent public eye. Fortunately, that was then, this is now, and I am comfortably aboard the proverbial “hindsight is 20/20” vessel.

Moving on, after reading the blurb, I was expecting the story to be a combination of a lion vs. lion tamer plot with a fake-it-‘til-they-make-it romantic tale. However, without giving too much away, Breaking Character pleasantly strays from Lee’s previous de-icing the ice queen stories. Lee is show more my favorite author as in tipping the scale towards “Author Crush” favorite. Therefore, I will try to keep the rest of my review as unbiased as possible. 😉

The main characters, Summer Hayes and Elizabeth Thornton, first meet on two separate occasions, British fate for Summer and American consequence for Elizabeth. Summer is somewhat an anomaly. She deviates from the typical Hollywoodian persona and is genuine to the bone. Summer’s bubbly, free-spirited personality is just the catalyst Elizabeth needs to shed the British Bitch skin she has been forced to live with. I say forced because Elizabeth is no ice queen rather a victim of mistaken identity. She is simply protective of her privacy and reserved even among her closest friends. Other readers may disagree, but the “Ice Queen” title belongs to Grace “Blowtorch Resistant” Christie-Oberon—a minor character who plays too much of a major role in Elizabeth’s unspontaneous life.

It took while for me to warm up to Summer and Elizabeth’s romantic chemistry. I could not get pass the feeling that Summer and Elizabeth would be better off as friends than lovers . . . well . . . until the not so chaste scene between Elspeth and Lucille. After that scene, Summer and Elizabeth’s chemistry kicked it up a notch in the spark, ooze, and sizzle categories, which helped Elizabeth come alive.

Overall, the story never failed to keep my attention. The humor during the first half of the story made Summer and Elizabeth likeable/relatable from the beginning. Even the lighthearted manner of poking fun at a few American customs was enjoyable. (“Microwave tea drinkers unite, don’t be shy! We need our teas in 30 seconds or less, dammit!”)

Ahem! Simply put, Lee’s latest story, Breaking Character, gets another five star rating in my book. show less

I personally loved this story. Unlike most Hollywood based books, the characters didn’t fall into bed and then figure shit out.... it’s nice to note that most lgbt characters aren’t willing to admit or think over their attraction to another.... let alone wait for things to line up and not act like they’ve been “friend zoned” in the mean time. You should feel the attraction in the characters and their chemistry.... I think some of the sex scene fizzled a little. But still a very good story.

I was given this ARC by the publisher in exchange for an Honest Review.

This was amazing. And at times intense. I shouldn't be surprised though, since it's a Lee Winter novel.

It's the story of Elizabeth and Summer. Elizabeth is a star (and villain) of a primetime medical show on TV (I know that I was supposed to think Grey's Anatomy when I was reading, but, I'm old school, I couldn't stop thinking ER). Summer is a new actress on the show who makes a big honkin' mistake to start the novel (and a sorta icky one). It is also set up at the very beginning that Elizabeth is known as an ice queen while Summer is a bubbly former child star who's trying to get into more adult roles.

They have a rocky start (once Elizabeth gets cleaned up), but, show more slowly, (of course, this is a romance) they get closer. Partially because they act more together, but also they get to know each other more personally when they are half forced, half come up with the idea to pretend to be girlfriends so that Elizabeth can get a really good movie role.

The characters were amazingly interesting. Especially Grace, one of Elizabeth's friends, as well as Summer's Mom. Their characters complicated and zany as all get out to the max respectively.

The plot had enough surprising (to me) twist to keep me interested in the plot as well.

It was an all around awesome book. show less

My heart is full—what a charming book by the incredibly talented Lee Winter.

Set in Los Angeles, the story is about two actresses who couldn't be more different. Summer Hayes is an LA-born 28-year-old ex-child star and Elizabeth Thornton, a British-born 37-year-old villain in a medical drama series. They often label her as bitchy because of her rather withdrawn nature. Summer is one of the few who sees behind the facade of Elizabeth. Because when their paths cross one day on the set, it turns both their lives upside down.

I fell so in love with these two, but also with the story and, honestly, everything. Their dynamic is great and so entertaining, especially their dialogues and teasing.

My absolute favourite quote was, "Your kiss made show more my ovaries explode—they're still on life support. Thanks for that."

I definitely recommend this book. It was right up my alley. I liked the setting, the Hollywoodish style, the dialogues—everything. It is incredibly entertaining, and the characters are to fall in love with.

I can also strongly recommend everyone listen to the audiobook version with narrator Angela Dawe. The book is already good, but Dawe brings the characters to life.

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Find more reviews on my blog. show less

Really really loved this book. Is it cheesey? Sure. But the characters are my friends now and the emotions always felt very real and reminded me of myself. Combined my interest in acting and my interest in the tv industry (though neither are necessarily intensively fully explored as they are vehicles for the main plot which is the women's growth as individuals and together). Probably could have explored Summer's character outside of her connection to Elizabeth more as I don't feel like she really changed much throughout the novel.

I wasn't sure what to expect before listening (I bought the audiobook on Audible).
The synopsis sounded like a trashy lesbian romance, which I was in the mood for.
This book absolutely blew me away though. Angela Dawes narration was superb, especially Summer had such a fitting voice! I am convinced however that this book would even be enjoyable with bad narration.
The characters are beautifully painted and the story isn't too cliché.

There was nothing about this book I didn't love. It maybe could have been steamier, but Elizabeth's restraint is true to her character and it makes the climax all the sweeter when we get there.

Very highly recommended!