Reviewed by True

TITLE: Breakthrough

SERIES: Dads of Stillwater #2

AUTHOR: Ana Ashley

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 356 pages

RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2022

BLURB:

A young single dad. An older man. An impossible love story.

Milo
I lost everyone I’ve ever loved, but there’s one person I’m determined to keep. The baby I was left with when tragedy struck once more.
Now my life is all about surviving. I don’t have time to date, or relationships.

That is until Ellis, the sexy, older, and kind primary school teacher who’s currently living rent free in my head with no intention of moving out, gives me the second job I desperately need.
But why would he want a guy from the wrong side of town, who’s barely paying the bills and comes with a plus one?

Ellis
Moving to Stillwater was the fresh start I needed after having my heart stomped on and my career practically destroyed.
Despite my family’s best efforts, I’m determined that nothing shall break through the walls I’ve built around myself. No more relationships.

That is until I meet the much younger grocery store cashier with the warm brown eyes, and accidentally give him a job.
As I get to know Milo, brick by brick that wall is coming down and no matter how much I resist I’m starting to run out of excuses as to why I shouldn’t give in.
But why would he want anything with someone much older when he could have anyone else?

Breakthrough is book 2 in Ana Ashley’s series, Dads of Stillwater. This story contains an age gap, a sweet nine-month-old baby everyone will coo about, all the feels and Ana Ashley’s usual happy ever after.
Trigger warning: the content advisory is on the first page of the book and can be seen by downloading a sample or using the Look Inside feature.

REVIEW:

If you want an emotional ride, stop right here.
With such loaded baggage on their shoulders, I wondered how they even could hold their head up.

Milo has it hard, a part-time job, a single dad of Sara, his nine-month-old baby girl. He’s lucky with his dear neighbor, a retired teacher who took him under her wing and was available to take care of Sara when he was at work.

Ellis moved closer to his family and ended up in Stillwater. His garden needs a big makeover and he’s very surprised the sweet cashier from the grocery shop is the one who reacts to his ad.
He doesn’t know Milo has a crush on him, just like Milo doesn’t know it’s mutual.
Ellis finds himself way too old for Milo, in his eyes, sixteen years older is too much when you’re forty-two. Milo got other ideas about the age gap, life taught him there are more important things than that.

The attraction is strong, the question is, are Ellis’ walls, built around his heart, stronger?

Milo is strong carrying all the emotional stuff around. I really can’t tell what’s going on, it would be a shame to spoil it.
It’s a slow burn and even when they are more settled it’s slow. For me, the last part was wrapped up with too much drama. All the matters are revealed in the very last part of this story.  Still, it’s all very entertaining and intriguing. Throughout the whole story, it was palpable that big things were going on.
The way of writing was compelling, the feelings were palpable and honest. Both Milo and Ellis are likable and lovable. The secondary characters and side stories were good additions to the whole picture. Overall an attractive emotional story.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon