Rating: 5 stars
Buy Links: Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novella
I feel like I should start this review with a disclaimer. I am a huge fan of T.A. Webb. Maybe in the beginning I kept reading his books to see if he was a one trick pony. Here’s a secret. T.A. Webb is no one trick pony. Every single book I’ve read of Webb’s has been captivating and amazing. I have loved every single one of them and I crave more.
The worst day of Daniel O’Leary’s life came unexpectedly. He thought he had it all. For years, Dan has worked to become the youngest partner at a prominent law firm in Atlanta. A year ago, he found the love of his life and now lives with him in a wonderful condo downtown. The day it all comes crashing down Dan had been restless, unhappy with work and learning that he was being used as a pawn for a reckless case. When he returns home to surprise his boyfriend, he finds Abe in bed with his best friend of twenty years.
In the matter of twenty-four hours, Dan quits his job, kicks Abe out, and loses the friend he’s always considered a brother. It’s time to start over. Purchasing a diner in a small northern town in Georgia comes by way of inspiration from a wonderful catering company and memories of his family’s cooking. The small town of Blue Ridge, Georgia is quiet enough to make him happy and filled with quirky people to keep him interested. Except for the local police chief, Nick Oliver.
Nick seems to be the hero of Blue Ridge, but to Dan he’s an arrogant asshat who apparently lives to annoy Dan. A surprise encounter changes Dan’s mind about Nick, but Nick being in the closet is a problem for Dan. When danger from Dan’s old life comes knocking at his door, it threatens to take not only his life but those he cares about as well. So, Dan looks to Nick for protection while trying to work out his feelings for a closet case.
Broken Road Café is one of those books that gets its hooks into you and has you begging for more by the end. Keep in mind that this book is an ongoing series, so the major story arcs are not resolved by the end of this book. Webb drops so many bombs and gives readers so much hope in this one novella that I cannot wait for more.
Unsurprisingly, this story is so well written. Like I said earlier, I was immediately drawn into Dan’s world. I lost myself there feeling his stress, his pain, his confusion, his adoration, his love, and his frustration. I love that this author can pull me into his stories so very easily and have me dying for more. I love that this book is more than a romance. It’s a story full of mysteries, full of twists and turns, a story full of surprises. There is so much to the beginning of this story and I look forward to seeing it all through to the end.
Of course, I adore Dan. He’s such a great character. With his world falling down around him, Dan is able to stay calm and keep his head straight. He’s logical and determined. He has a positive outlook on his life. And he has a huge heart. I loved the beginning of this love/hate relationship with Nick. They are such opposites – Dan, so outspoken and in your face, and Nick, so big-hearted and goofy. Nick is the do-gooder of Blue Ridge. The man that everyone looks to for help and protection. He’s the heart of Blue Ridge and is well on his way to capturing Dan’s heart.
I love the large number of interesting and likable characters that Webb introduces readers to in this story. The big, boisterous personalities for Charity and Patsy are so fun. I’m hoping Jake shows up more in the future. And I’m hoping to meet Jasper and get more of his and his family’s story in the future. Then there’s Greg and Abe whom I definitely love to hate. And Gary, who I’m still not sure about. All in all, this is a very character driven story and I’m can’t wait to see how their roles play out in this series.
There is nothing that I don’t love about this book. I adore the characters. And the massive plot holds so much promise. I have no issues with the ongoing plot, as I know this series will continue. And I can’t wait to read more of Dan and Nick’s story. I’m addicted. That’s for sure. I highly recommend The Broken Road Café.
