The Gist: A sweet opposites-attract single-parent romance that explores found family and starting over. However, the unrealistic meet-cute was off-putting.
Series: Reynolds Restoration, #2*
Release Date: March 31, 2022
Until she bursts into his life. A stubborn woman with too much baggage, too much to say, and a child in tow.
Far too much trouble.
Except, he likes her spark. The way she refuses to listen. How beautiful she is with her son. How right she feels in his arms.
The way she makes him feel whole.
Can he convince her to give love a second chance?
Book set in Reynolds Restoration world
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• Threat of gun violence (see above)
• Does have OM drama
– Heroine’s abusive ex-boyfriend (and father of her child) stalks her and attempts to abduct the Heroine and her child
• Does have OW drama
– One of the Heroine’s colleagues hits on the Hero, making the Heroine quite jealous.
• Does have the Heroine pushing the Hero away
• Does have a few days separation (both celibate)
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 3.5-stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
•••
I’ve been excited to revisit the Reynolds Restoration world after Charly’s and Maxx’s book, Revved to the Maxx. The cozy small-town vibes and hilarity between Charly and Maxx remain in this book. We got to see how close-knit the Reynolds crew is many years later. The dynamic created a great foundation for a sweet contemporary romance.
Awkward Meet-Cute and Growing Pains
While the premise of Breaking the Speed Limit was cute, I had a few problems with its execution. The meet-cute, for one, really bothered me. Gabby is a single mom, working night shifts as a waitress to make ends meet when her car breaks down on the side of a dark road after her shift. It’s well after midnight, and there are no street lights, and somehow Gabby isn’t terrified – or even wary – when a guy pulls up beside her and insists on helping her. I was frustrated by how unrealistically this scene was portrayed since it’s perhaps one of the most vulnerable scenarios I can think of for a woman.
The reader soon finds out that Gabby is running from a dangerous past, which makes the meet-cute even more puzzling. However, I admit I find presumptuous and arrogant Heroes a really big turn-off, which pushed my hesitancy over the novel’s start into dislike. But I continued reading the story because I typically love Melanie Moreland’s romances. And I’m glad I did.
To an Adorable Family
Once Gabby stopped pushing Stefano away, and they became a solid couple, Breaking the Speed Limit was really cute. Melanie Moreland always does such a great job making the mundane seem romantic. I especially enjoyed the angst of Gabby and her son working to fit in with Stefano’s friends and family. Once Gabby and Stefano were a unit, I loved the scenes between Gabby’s son Theo and Stefano.
“I have a wish.”
Theo to Stefano
“You want to tell me what it is, or is it a secret wish?”
“I wish you could be my dad. I love you like I love my mom.”
in Breaking the Speed Limit by Melanie Moreland
Towards the end of the novel, there’s also a lot of drama when Gabby’s past comes back to haunt her. What she and Theo went through was heartbreaking, and I appreciated how part of the plot showed Gabby relying on her new friends and family.
In Conclusion
The first part (basically before Gabby and Stefano are a couple) of Breaking the Speed Limit put me off the book. Still, once they overcame their presumptions and stopped pushing each other away, I really enjoyed the romance. The found family aspect of the book was really enjoyable. I loved that Gabby, Theo and Stefano became their own found family. Of course, Melanie Moreland ends the book with the perfect epilogue!
I’m excited to see what happens in the next book series! Much of the side drama revolved around Brett and Kelly (Charly’s best friend), so I’m sure their book is next.
Buy Breaking the Speed Limit
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