What do you think?
Rate this book
Golden Chains #1
Break the Stone
For years, Raelyn Bell desperately searches for any connection to her deceased Ma and finally stumbles upon a hidden trunk. She doesn’t have time to learn what’s inside when Pa uproots her from the only home she’s ever known, leaving the mysterious trunk behind.
Meanwhile, Specialist Kody Walsh focuses on his advancement in the army. Raelyn walks into his life and derails his plans. They awaken a spark inside each other, but deny their interest. Forced to work together, Raelyn and Kody find evidence that her Ma might still be alive. While hunting for the truth, the two grow closer as complications and danger arises.
Will Raelyn ever find out what really happened to Ma? Will Kody tear down his walls and let Raelyn into his heart? Or will the challenges tear them apart?
Meanwhile, Specialist Kody Walsh focuses on his advancement in the army. Raelyn walks into his life and derails his plans. They awaken a spark inside each other, but deny their interest. Forced to work together, Raelyn and Kody find evidence that her Ma might still be alive. While hunting for the truth, the two grow closer as complications and danger arises.
Will Raelyn ever find out what really happened to Ma? Will Kody tear down his walls and let Raelyn into his heart? Or will the challenges tear them apart?
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
November 15, 2020
As a Beta reader for Break the Stone, I was immediately sucked in to the world of Raelyn Bell. Every sentence Cassie writes serves a purpose, each paragraph is carefully detailed, and each scene leaves the reader grateful for the next chapter. With a strong supporting cast of characters, a deepening mystery, and relationships that both challenge and deepen our cultural understanding, Break the Stone is a fascinating and seductive story that will leave you wanting more!
September 16, 2021
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My first and utmost complaint was the writing - I mean - was it dual first POVS? one third pov of half a fraction of first pov in thoughts? Or just one first pov altogether?
That was my feeling the entire time. I was entirely confused about which tense I was reading in, even the characters couldn't seem to make up their mind whether they were saying dialogues in first/third pov.
My second complaint- the characters were entirely too boring. Maybe Cody was a bit more interesting with his army skills and adventures. But still...it was all too slow and boring for me to understand what was going on.
Plus plot convulation? Which story were we going with? Cody and his lack of a miserable grinch like love life? Rae and her peter pan like mother who no one could find with her trusty robin sidekick dog?
I don't know what the story or the writing was trying to do, because I felt entirely too drained, frustrated, and bored with what I was reading. Such a promising book, but it all dashed to nothing.
I have not a lot of hope in continuing this author's novels, because the writing style could not save the book, not even itself.
And that's what holds a book together - the writing style.
This book's writing style could not hold it together.
And that means I have to entirely drop this hope in my heart to like any of her other novels ever again.
A bit dramatic, but a girl's gotta be honest.
Until the next read,
-TMR
My first and utmost complaint was the writing - I mean - was it dual first POVS? one third pov of half a fraction of first pov in thoughts? Or just one first pov altogether?
That was my feeling the entire time. I was entirely confused about which tense I was reading in, even the characters couldn't seem to make up their mind whether they were saying dialogues in first/third pov.
My second complaint- the characters were entirely too boring. Maybe Cody was a bit more interesting with his army skills and adventures. But still...it was all too slow and boring for me to understand what was going on.
Plus plot convulation? Which story were we going with? Cody and his lack of a miserable grinch like love life? Rae and her peter pan like mother who no one could find with her trusty robin sidekick dog?
I don't know what the story or the writing was trying to do, because I felt entirely too drained, frustrated, and bored with what I was reading. Such a promising book, but it all dashed to nothing.
I have not a lot of hope in continuing this author's novels, because the writing style could not save the book, not even itself.
And that's what holds a book together - the writing style.
This book's writing style could not hold it together.
And that means I have to entirely drop this hope in my heart to like any of her other novels ever again.
A bit dramatic, but a girl's gotta be honest.
Until the next read,
-TMR
September 29, 2021
First off, special thanks to Cassie Swindon for allowing me to be a Beta Reader in return for an honest review.
This unpolished book had a good plot in the sense that I just wanted to keep reading to see what happens to Raelyn and Kody and Cali and everyone else, however, the writing style seemed a bit juvenile and the love story between Raelyn and Kody seemed very forced as opposed to something that would happen naturally. The plot was a little easy to figure out in the beginning (like Raelyn meeting Cali and figuring out who she is, etc.) but towards the end it got a bit more difficult to guess which was nice as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed how the book was split into 2 person POVs and gave you more insight into both characters lives. And the playlist at the beginning of the book is a creative idea, but putting so many of the songs in the story feels forced and pulls the reader out of the fantasy and back to reality. Overall, I thought this was a good book and I would be interested in reading the remaining books in the trilogy.
This unpolished book had a good plot in the sense that I just wanted to keep reading to see what happens to Raelyn and Kody and Cali and everyone else, however, the writing style seemed a bit juvenile and the love story between Raelyn and Kody seemed very forced as opposed to something that would happen naturally. The plot was a little easy to figure out in the beginning (like Raelyn meeting Cali and figuring out who she is, etc.) but towards the end it got a bit more difficult to guess which was nice as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed how the book was split into 2 person POVs and gave you more insight into both characters lives. And the playlist at the beginning of the book is a creative idea, but putting so many of the songs in the story feels forced and pulls the reader out of the fantasy and back to reality. Overall, I thought this was a good book and I would be interested in reading the remaining books in the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2020
(Beta reader) I loved this book! Raelyn is so curious about the secrets her mom left behind. With her best friend Bear by her side (her golden retriever) they search for more information on her mom. Her Papa ended up moving them to the city after getting threats to kill Raelyn. Where she meets Kody who is in the military. He helps her connect the dots to the secrets, and puts himself right in the middle of all the chaos. Towards the end Kody and Raelyn's love has blossomed.The love, mystery, and secrets finally come together and leaves you on a book high ready for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
I read Break the Stone as a preliminary beta reader. Even with an unpolished copy, I could not put it down. It’s a fantastic debut for new author Cassie Swindon, full of suspense and romance.
Raelyn Bell is suddenly transplanted from her idyllic country life and forced to finish her final year of high school in a new city. She has no idea that the reason for the sudden move was because her father, William, had begun receiving threats about files her deceased mother may have left behind.
Raelyn is a good protagonist: shy, romantic, and strong minded. The real standout is her new best friend, Cali. She’s the outgoing show stopper that all introverts love to be adopted by. The final main character is Kody, the brooding military man struggling to protect the people he loves, while helping Raelyn search for answers. Together, they attempt to uncover the truth about Raelyn’s mother and disentangle the growing conspiracy around her death.
The romance between Raelyn and Kody was perhaps a little predictable, but the characters had excellent chemistry and I was pleased with how well their growing relationship drove the suspenseful plot line. Overall the biggest strengths were the well-drawn characters, which is a major plus for me personally. You can have the best plot in the world, but if the characters are flat, I’m bored. That was not the case with Break the Stone. Raelyn, Cali, and Kody were all engrossing, likeable in their own ways, and full of depth. And William’s journey toward connecting with Raelyn and finally coming to terms with being a single father was heartfelt and real.
The plot was also engrossing. Most of my initial predictions were way off, which isn’t usual for me. I won’t spoil anything here, but the ending is satisfying and leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Can’t wait for more from this author!
For more reviews, visit me at annacackler.com.
Raelyn Bell is suddenly transplanted from her idyllic country life and forced to finish her final year of high school in a new city. She has no idea that the reason for the sudden move was because her father, William, had begun receiving threats about files her deceased mother may have left behind.
Raelyn is a good protagonist: shy, romantic, and strong minded. The real standout is her new best friend, Cali. She’s the outgoing show stopper that all introverts love to be adopted by. The final main character is Kody, the brooding military man struggling to protect the people he loves, while helping Raelyn search for answers. Together, they attempt to uncover the truth about Raelyn’s mother and disentangle the growing conspiracy around her death.
The romance between Raelyn and Kody was perhaps a little predictable, but the characters had excellent chemistry and I was pleased with how well their growing relationship drove the suspenseful plot line. Overall the biggest strengths were the well-drawn characters, which is a major plus for me personally. You can have the best plot in the world, but if the characters are flat, I’m bored. That was not the case with Break the Stone. Raelyn, Cali, and Kody were all engrossing, likeable in their own ways, and full of depth. And William’s journey toward connecting with Raelyn and finally coming to terms with being a single father was heartfelt and real.
The plot was also engrossing. Most of my initial predictions were way off, which isn’t usual for me. I won’t spoil anything here, but the ending is satisfying and leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Can’t wait for more from this author!
For more reviews, visit me at annacackler.com.
December 5, 2020
I'm so glad I got to be a beta reader for this exciting book! Read this as Raelyn's life is turned upside down without a moment's notice. Follow her on an exciting, sometimes dangerous, adventure as she seeks to find answers about her past. This is a great book that will make you laugh, cry, and keep you in suspense! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this exciting trilogy!!
Want to read
November 25, 2020I was a beta reader for the unpolished version of Break the Stone. I was very impressed. All the main characters were well-developed and distinct. The chapters moved quickly and were arranged into easily digestible chunks. A lot of ground was covered with social issues, but did it in a way that didn’t feel forced. I related to Raelyn’s inner struggle with belonging, feeling loved, and finding her people. There are still some transition scenes to work on with editing but it’s so exciting to see the characters come to life and follow the process of bringing something to publication.
June 4, 2021
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The action starts on page one. As the reader you’re fully immersed in the characters worlds (and minds) from page one. Each chapter is told by Raelyn or Kody which I LOVED!! I emphathized with Raelyn on her journey to learn more about her mother. The best friend’s brother romance was a plus along with the mystery.
Dislikes:
- Slower start (picked up ~30%)
- Kody and Raelyn’s relationship is a little awkward at first
Instagram.com/whatarireads
The action starts on page one. As the reader you’re fully immersed in the characters worlds (and minds) from page one. Each chapter is told by Raelyn or Kody which I LOVED!! I emphathized with Raelyn on her journey to learn more about her mother. The best friend’s brother romance was a plus along with the mystery.
Dislikes:
- Slower start (picked up ~30%)
- Kody and Raelyn’s relationship is a little awkward at first
Instagram.com/whatarireads
April 14, 2021
***Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review***
This book was definitely worth the wait on receiving my ARC copy! I didn’t quite know what to expect when I started reading it but I am so glad I got to read this before it launched!
The author does a wonderful job describing the world around you and the characters. I really liked that there isn’t too much detail but just enough description that it doesn’t seem like info dumping. I like to be able to imagine my world and the characters and if I am given too much information then I’m not able to formulate how I think the world and characters should be. This book is excellent at not info dumping.
Since I won’t be giving away any spoilers because I feel like this book is a definite must read, I feel like I should let you know that this book will grab a hold of you and not let you go.
Raelyn desperately wants to know what happened to her mom and although I feel like she may have gotten answers from the beginning her dad basically comes in a stops her in a sense. She will stop at nothing to get answers!
Kody is career focused and wanting to climb the ranks within the military. When he meets Raelyn things definitely don’t work out in his favor when it comes to him being ambitious. There is that instant attraction they both feel for each other but of course they fight against it.
As they both work together to help uncover some secrets that were buried you can tell that both of them are getting closer to each other but of course Kody is resistant.
This book really gave me a lot of feels and I really enjoyed watching their story unfold as they uncovered the secrets.
A definite 5 star read that I can’t wait to read book 2!!
This book was definitely worth the wait on receiving my ARC copy! I didn’t quite know what to expect when I started reading it but I am so glad I got to read this before it launched!
The author does a wonderful job describing the world around you and the characters. I really liked that there isn’t too much detail but just enough description that it doesn’t seem like info dumping. I like to be able to imagine my world and the characters and if I am given too much information then I’m not able to formulate how I think the world and characters should be. This book is excellent at not info dumping.
Since I won’t be giving away any spoilers because I feel like this book is a definite must read, I feel like I should let you know that this book will grab a hold of you and not let you go.
Raelyn desperately wants to know what happened to her mom and although I feel like she may have gotten answers from the beginning her dad basically comes in a stops her in a sense. She will stop at nothing to get answers!
Kody is career focused and wanting to climb the ranks within the military. When he meets Raelyn things definitely don’t work out in his favor when it comes to him being ambitious. There is that instant attraction they both feel for each other but of course they fight against it.
As they both work together to help uncover some secrets that were buried you can tell that both of them are getting closer to each other but of course Kody is resistant.
This book really gave me a lot of feels and I really enjoyed watching their story unfold as they uncovered the secrets.
A definite 5 star read that I can’t wait to read book 2!!
May 8, 2021
Break the Stone is Cassie Swindon’s debut novel. This is book one in the Golden Chains series. It has a bit of everything, drama, mystery, romance, and suspense. Raelyn Bell is on a quest to find out about her deceased mother. Secrets and threats surrounding her mother push Raelyn to uncover the mystery. On her journey, she meets Kody Walsh, an advancing soldier, and causes his life to become utter chaos. When Kody’s life is threatened, they work together to find out what happened to Raelyn’s mom.
Break the Stone was an enthralling, engaging, and descriptive mystery with well-developed characters. Raelyn and Kody are such unique characters. Raelyn’s strength and curiosity drive her to determine the truth and her character complements Kody’s tougher nature as a soldier really well. As these two work together, mystery and romance develop between the two and their chemistry is amazing.
This book is an adventure I really enjoyed. There’s so much happening in this emotional rollercoaster of a book and while it started off slightly slow, but once it got going I was captivated. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book to get the answers I so desperately seek!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Break the Stone was an enthralling, engaging, and descriptive mystery with well-developed characters. Raelyn and Kody are such unique characters. Raelyn’s strength and curiosity drive her to determine the truth and her character complements Kody’s tougher nature as a soldier really well. As these two work together, mystery and romance develop between the two and their chemistry is amazing.
This book is an adventure I really enjoyed. There’s so much happening in this emotional rollercoaster of a book and while it started off slightly slow, but once it got going I was captivated. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book to get the answers I so desperately seek!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 25, 2021
I am so thankful that I was able to receive an arc copy of break the stone and get the opportunity to read this story. I don’t want to post any spoilers so I will keep my descriptions vague.
With that being said I want to say that the storyline was good and I loved the mystery and romance this book offered. I loved that you got duel POVs from both Raelyn and kody throughout the book to give you insight from both sides. There were sometimes that I thought the love was a little forced between the two and that some of the thing that happened were kind of easy to guess at first but as the story went on it kept me more on my toes so for the most part I really enjoyed it.
My downfall to this book was that I couldn’t get over how the POVs were written in the third person. I have never been able to get into and fully submerged myself in a story that was written like this. It’s no fault to the author it’s just how I am. So if you don’t like books written in the third person I wouldn’t suggest this for you BUT I you do like the third person POV or don’t mind one way or another I would recommend this book to you!
With that being said I want to say that the storyline was good and I loved the mystery and romance this book offered. I loved that you got duel POVs from both Raelyn and kody throughout the book to give you insight from both sides. There were sometimes that I thought the love was a little forced between the two and that some of the thing that happened were kind of easy to guess at first but as the story went on it kept me more on my toes so for the most part I really enjoyed it.
My downfall to this book was that I couldn’t get over how the POVs were written in the third person. I have never been able to get into and fully submerged myself in a story that was written like this. It’s no fault to the author it’s just how I am. So if you don’t like books written in the third person I wouldn’t suggest this for you BUT I you do like the third person POV or don’t mind one way or another I would recommend this book to you!
Read
April 27, 2021I was able to pre-read the first novel in the new Golden Chains series. The story centers around high school senior Raelyn as she tries to make sense of her life after her mother’s death and army specialist Kody who feels pressure to be the best at his job. I was rooting for the main characters the entire book and loved how their stories became interwoven throughout this first novel. Kody’s sister, Cali, and as one of my favorite characters in the novel, always there for her brother and Rae to provide some quick wit and humor. The second novel in this series comes out later this year and I can’t wait to pick it up!
December 6, 2020
I was a beta reader that read the unedited version of Break the Stone. Raelyn and her Pa, William are going to have to move because of a threat. When they move Raelyn befriends a girl and becomes infatuated with her brother Kody which turns out to be in the Army. The threat involves him too and they all work together to find out what is going on and to find out what happened to Raelyns mom. This story will make you want to keep reading to til the end to find out what will happen. It’s a great book and you will not be disappointed. It does end in a cliffhanger but it’s well worth the read and you will want to read the next book just find out what will happen next.
November 13, 2020
Hey everyone!! I was a beta-reader for this book and it was so fun and amazing to do! Cassie is such a great writer and is so descriptive with every scene. I felt like I was watching a movie the whole time and I was so eager to keep reading!!
Break the Stone is thought-provoking and leaves you with questions through the whole book that really make you want to keep reading to find out more! There are so many relationships in the book that make it so easy to relate to on a real-life level. There are many real-life problems that are subtly addressed! It was all just riveting!
I can’t wait to read this again when it is published!!
I would recommend this book to anyone; especially anyone in a reading slump because it really will get you out of it!!
Break the Stone is thought-provoking and leaves you with questions through the whole book that really make you want to keep reading to find out more! There are so many relationships in the book that make it so easy to relate to on a real-life level. There are many real-life problems that are subtly addressed! It was all just riveting!
I can’t wait to read this again when it is published!!
I would recommend this book to anyone; especially anyone in a reading slump because it really will get you out of it!!
April 22, 2021
I was completely sucked into this book from the beginning. I could not put it down and finished it in 2 days. She did a great job with the details and storyline that kept me guessing on what was coming next. It has everything from mystery, adventure and romance that had me so intrigued. Well done Swindon I cannot wait to read the 2nd novel of the series.
July 9, 2021
So I was asked if I wanted to read this book and when I read the synopsis I was immediately sold. If you asked me if I wanted to read a book with mystery, action and military romance, the answer is yes😅
When you start this book you are immediately hooked. There is this mystery about Raelyns mom that you want to unravel. This book is very plot driven but that doesn't mean that you don't get to see much character development.
I am not always a fan of multiple perspectives but in this book it only encourages you to read further. I literally couldn't put the book aside😅 We have 2 amazing mean characters: Raelyn and Kody. And can we say something about his sister Cali? She is always so enthusiastic and tries to lighten up everyone's day. Everyone should have such an amazing person in there live.
I really enjoyed this book. And I loved that she added some poems! I enjoyed every pages of this book and I m very curious about the next book😆
When you start this book you are immediately hooked. There is this mystery about Raelyns mom that you want to unravel. This book is very plot driven but that doesn't mean that you don't get to see much character development.
I am not always a fan of multiple perspectives but in this book it only encourages you to read further. I literally couldn't put the book aside😅 We have 2 amazing mean characters: Raelyn and Kody. And can we say something about his sister Cali? She is always so enthusiastic and tries to lighten up everyone's day. Everyone should have such an amazing person in there live.
I really enjoyed this book. And I loved that she added some poems! I enjoyed every pages of this book and I m very curious about the next book😆
April 25, 2021
I was given a copy to read in advance.
This book started off really good. I liked the first 50 pages because a lot of interesting events happen that made me very interested and I wanted to read more.
I quickly felt that there were two story lines. One where all of the action was and a love story (between Realin and Kody.
I really liked the action/adventure part of the story where Realin and her father leave the house they live in abruptly (although I don't know why). I liked that there where questions on where her mother was, was she dead or not?
I did not like the love story simply because I didn't buy any of it. How she met Kody, how their relationship developed. etc. It got to the point where I was just skipping all of the relationship parts and just reading the adventure parts.
I also felt like there were some time gaps in the story that were not fully explained.
William has, at one point, very randomly, a girlfriend and a son? There was no lead in to this. We came to a point in the story where this was a fact.
I know this is a trilogy and maybe my questions will be answered in the other books, but right now I don't know if I would like to read them.
This book started off really good. I liked the first 50 pages because a lot of interesting events happen that made me very interested and I wanted to read more.
I quickly felt that there were two story lines. One where all of the action was and a love story (between Realin and Kody.
I really liked the action/adventure part of the story where Realin and her father leave the house they live in abruptly (although I don't know why). I liked that there where questions on where her mother was, was she dead or not?
I did not like the love story simply because I didn't buy any of it. How she met Kody, how their relationship developed. etc. It got to the point where I was just skipping all of the relationship parts and just reading the adventure parts.
I also felt like there were some time gaps in the story that were not fully explained.
William has, at one point, very randomly, a girlfriend and a son? There was no lead in to this. We came to a point in the story where this was a fact.
I know this is a trilogy and maybe my questions will be answered in the other books, but right now I don't know if I would like to read them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
I've read an ARC copy of Breaking The Stone, and I have to say for a debut novel it's very well written. The characters suck you in from the opening pages. The story unfolds, the secrets are unravelled, and the characters work to get the answers to questions that have lingered for many years. Book 1 keeps you on the edge of your seat. You're constantly left guessing what will happen next. A definite one click. I look forward to the continuing story in book 2.
Read
November 2, 2020Check out www.cassieswindon.com for teasers and bonus scenes of Break the Stone. Projected release date is May 10, 2021
May 3, 2021
Thank you so much to the author for giving me an opportunity to read this book. I received a Copy from the author for an unbiased and honest opinion. So, here goes...
The plot revolves around Raelyn who wants to know more about her mother who died when she was six year old and one day she finds something mysterious related to her mom. After which she decide to unfold the secret through her investigation. In her journey she met kody, a very ambitious soldier who help her to connect the dots of this mystery. In middle of this chaos they both fell for eachother.
As a debut novel, the author has done a fabulous job. All characters are well described and in place. I really like the moment, when Raelyn pen down her emotions into a poem. The chemistry between Raelyn and kody is amazing. I like the relationship of Raelyn and her father.
This book has everything mystery, drama, romance which will keep you urging for more. I definitely recommend this book.
I finished this book in two days.I couldn't wait for the second one.
The plot revolves around Raelyn who wants to know more about her mother who died when she was six year old and one day she finds something mysterious related to her mom. After which she decide to unfold the secret through her investigation. In her journey she met kody, a very ambitious soldier who help her to connect the dots of this mystery. In middle of this chaos they both fell for eachother.
As a debut novel, the author has done a fabulous job. All characters are well described and in place. I really like the moment, when Raelyn pen down her emotions into a poem. The chemistry between Raelyn and kody is amazing. I like the relationship of Raelyn and her father.
This book has everything mystery, drama, romance which will keep you urging for more. I definitely recommend this book.
I finished this book in two days.I couldn't wait for the second one.
August 13, 2021
[Blog]::[Youtube]::[Twitter]::[Instagram]::[Pinterest]::[Bloglovin]
“Break the Stone” is a thrilling novel with full of turns and an exciting start to the series.
The author sets the action right from the first chapter as Raelyn vacates her house suddenly, and Kody gets orders to take the marble box. From then on, the author takes us on a wild journey as Raelyn, Kody, and Cali go on a thrill ride. There is never a dull moment in the plot, as something is always happening as Raelyn searches for answers. Many moments stood out for me in the story, like when they search for the photographer Emma or when Kody gets shot. I was also intrigued as to who Joanna was. On a side note, I also liked the playlist the author provides in each chapter, most of which are my favorites.
Raelyn (I love her name) and Kody are both excellent in the lead. However, the instant love was a bit weird at the beginning, where Raelyn wants to kiss Kody immediately. However, while I was not a fan of instant love, I enjoyed their scenes together in the story. I also loved the complicated relationship that Raelyn shared with her father. While they would not agree to things, I liked how realistically the author portrayed their bond. Cali is adorable as the supporting friend and added value to the storyline too. Similarly, Synder and Yohann are creepy. Even Bear is cute in the way he shared scenes with Raelyn.
Moreover, the author also ends the story nicely and sets the pace for the next book in the series, “Hunt the Storm.” Overall, “Break the Stone” is a beautiful start to the “Golden Chains” series, and I am excited to read its continuation.
February 2, 2022
5 Cranky Stars
This book was good. It kept me interested from beginning to end. Where it stopped at was perfect too. Now we just need to read the next book.
Raelyn and her father live on a farm and are just trying to live their life. One night Raelyn’s father tells her they are leaving now! No real explanation grabs what he knows he wants and tells Raelyn to come on and go. Raelyn, like any teenager would, questions her father and tries to convince him they can stay and they can come back because she doesn’t want to leave. Raelyn’s father tells her no, to get in the truck. Raelyn doesn’t understand and her father is reluctant to tell her the truth.
Raelyn’s mom was a journalist and according to her dad, she died while on assignment by car bomb, but Raelyn didn’t know that until now. Her father thinks that they are safe for now with new names, new town. What her dad didn’t expect is for Raelyn to make friends that would help her reveal the truth.
Kody is in the army and his kid sister goes to school with Raelyn. Raelyn first meets Cody at a warehouse while she is investigating trying to find out the truth about her mother. Basically from that point on they had feelings just didn’t show it and Kody became protective of Raelyn.
Eventually the feelings showed and during her investigation Raelyn learned more than she anticipated. She has a brother and her mother is alive. Her brothers “father” is a bad guy and tried to hurt EVERYONE to get what he wanted. You guessed it though, he died, and so did Raelyn’s dad. Now what? Well Raelyn is going to go find her mother. The army has someone keeping tabs on her but Raelyn needs to find her herself. On a plane and off they go. What happens next? I’m about to find out in the next book. This was a good book, kept me reading.
This book was good. It kept me interested from beginning to end. Where it stopped at was perfect too. Now we just need to read the next book.
Raelyn and her father live on a farm and are just trying to live their life. One night Raelyn’s father tells her they are leaving now! No real explanation grabs what he knows he wants and tells Raelyn to come on and go. Raelyn, like any teenager would, questions her father and tries to convince him they can stay and they can come back because she doesn’t want to leave. Raelyn’s father tells her no, to get in the truck. Raelyn doesn’t understand and her father is reluctant to tell her the truth.
Raelyn’s mom was a journalist and according to her dad, she died while on assignment by car bomb, but Raelyn didn’t know that until now. Her father thinks that they are safe for now with new names, new town. What her dad didn’t expect is for Raelyn to make friends that would help her reveal the truth.
Kody is in the army and his kid sister goes to school with Raelyn. Raelyn first meets Cody at a warehouse while she is investigating trying to find out the truth about her mother. Basically from that point on they had feelings just didn’t show it and Kody became protective of Raelyn.
Eventually the feelings showed and during her investigation Raelyn learned more than she anticipated. She has a brother and her mother is alive. Her brothers “father” is a bad guy and tried to hurt EVERYONE to get what he wanted. You guessed it though, he died, and so did Raelyn’s dad. Now what? Well Raelyn is going to go find her mother. The army has someone keeping tabs on her but Raelyn needs to find her herself. On a plane and off they go. What happens next? I’m about to find out in the next book. This was a good book, kept me reading.
April 18, 2021
I am so happy that I got the opportunity to be a beta reader for this book. I'll start by saying that this book was a completely surprise for me. I was not expecting to be so drawn by the mistery, by the characters.
The romance:
I liked it, but I have to admit that sometimes it felt forced or unnatural. I don't really like when characters say that they are not good enough for the ones they love, so they distance themselves from them and pretend to not have feelings. But, after all this, I enjoyed the romance because it was so cute and somehow childish.
The characters:
They were well described, they had originality and flavour. I really loved Rae, her passions, her thoughts and the fact that she wrote poems and liked music. I liked Kody too because he had a good personality.
The mistery and plot:
This was my favourite part. It was written well and I couldn't wait to find out more about her Ma, about the messages, about all the threats.
The world:
I appreciated the fact that the author did a research on how the military works and gave me a realistic experience.
In the end, I gave it just 4 stars because of the moments when the romance felt unnatural and because I guessed a part of the mistery.
My feelings:
During this read, I went through a lot of emotions. I had moments when I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes, but there was also moments when I almost cried or got angry on the characters.
This book reminded me of the book Paper Princess and I think that if you liked that book, you'll enjoy this one too.
P.S: I so loved that the author told us what songs the characters were listening, so I could get in their moods and vibe with them.
You should definitely give this book a try because who knows? It might surprise you!
The romance:
I liked it, but I have to admit that sometimes it felt forced or unnatural. I don't really like when characters say that they are not good enough for the ones they love, so they distance themselves from them and pretend to not have feelings. But, after all this, I enjoyed the romance because it was so cute and somehow childish.
The characters:
They were well described, they had originality and flavour. I really loved Rae, her passions, her thoughts and the fact that she wrote poems and liked music. I liked Kody too because he had a good personality.
The mistery and plot:
This was my favourite part. It was written well and I couldn't wait to find out more about her Ma, about the messages, about all the threats.
The world:
I appreciated the fact that the author did a research on how the military works and gave me a realistic experience.
In the end, I gave it just 4 stars because of the moments when the romance felt unnatural and because I guessed a part of the mistery.
My feelings:
During this read, I went through a lot of emotions. I had moments when I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes, but there was also moments when I almost cried or got angry on the characters.
This book reminded me of the book Paper Princess and I think that if you liked that book, you'll enjoy this one too.
P.S: I so loved that the author told us what songs the characters were listening, so I could get in their moods and vibe with them.
You should definitely give this book a try because who knows? It might surprise you!
April 21, 2021
ARC REVIEW: Indie authors, ya’ll have done it again! This is a wonderfully paced story with two really great MCs. Raelyn’s curiosity and determination, while also being soft-spoken, is such a great contrast, and Kody’s sometimes less emotional exterior masks who he truly is beneath, and those two make SUCH a pair! The chemistry was so well - complete with these characters being layered, but also with their dialogue feeling natural and flowing, which made their romance blossom organically, as I always like to see in ANY books with romance. This is also a book that does multi-POV very well. You’re never confused about what’s going on or if you missed something, and the author pulls you along nicely while also leaving enough mystery to keep you engrossed in every page. I will be honest that my typical genre is fantasy, but as I’ve said multiple times, I have been broadening my genre-scope, and this book dealt with a lot of real-life issues that made it feel like something a lot of people can relate to in some way or another. Raelyn, for example, is really shy and that causes inner emotions that I personally relate to on such a deep level since I am a very shy person. (Also, where can I get a BFF like Cali? Asking for a friend...). Anyways, overall this book was well-paced, exciting, full of mystery, and romance to keep my inner-romantic happy! On top of that, there are real-world issue and themes like grief, loss, and change being explored. I really enjoyed following both Raelyn and Kody on their journey and I will without a doubt be reading Golden Chains #2. Consensus: 5/5
For more reviews and book boards, visit my IG! @katiebreads
For more reviews and book boards, visit my IG! @katiebreads
August 3, 2021
Break the Stone by Cassie Swindon
4/5
Meet Raelyn Bell, a high schooler who ends up going on the adventure of a lifetime to try and find more information about her Ma. Her Pa has always said little about her Ma since her death and after accidentally finding a secret trunk in the barn Raelyn is determined to find out more. At the same time Specialist Kody Walsh is very focused on his career in the military. Raelyn and Kody find each other through improbable circumstances, but decide to work together to find the truth about Ma.
Raelyn was an interesting character, she is shy, romantic, determined, and at times pig-headed. She is so caught between the mystery of her Ma and the draw she feels to Kody. Meanwhile, Kody finds himself wanting Raelyn even though for years all he wanted was to go up the ranks in his military career. He makes many idiotic mistakes on his way to accidentally falling for her. The romance that builds between her and Kody is a slow burn, and predictable. However, as the reader you find yourself rooting for them throughout. The added romance is not necessarily pertinent to the story, but it is an added bonus to the action and suspense of the book as a whole.
What I really enjoyed about the book was the constant looming threat. The characters never got a chance to forget that they were being threatened. This danger followed them no matter if they were stateside or overseas. I also loved her best friend Cali (who is Kody's sister). Cali is a bouncy, happy, openly bi character who enjoys life. She isn't afraid to go for what she wants or protect those who she loves.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced suspenseful read, with romantic tension thrown in for good measure.
4/5
Meet Raelyn Bell, a high schooler who ends up going on the adventure of a lifetime to try and find more information about her Ma. Her Pa has always said little about her Ma since her death and after accidentally finding a secret trunk in the barn Raelyn is determined to find out more. At the same time Specialist Kody Walsh is very focused on his career in the military. Raelyn and Kody find each other through improbable circumstances, but decide to work together to find the truth about Ma.
Raelyn was an interesting character, she is shy, romantic, determined, and at times pig-headed. She is so caught between the mystery of her Ma and the draw she feels to Kody. Meanwhile, Kody finds himself wanting Raelyn even though for years all he wanted was to go up the ranks in his military career. He makes many idiotic mistakes on his way to accidentally falling for her. The romance that builds between her and Kody is a slow burn, and predictable. However, as the reader you find yourself rooting for them throughout. The added romance is not necessarily pertinent to the story, but it is an added bonus to the action and suspense of the book as a whole.
What I really enjoyed about the book was the constant looming threat. The characters never got a chance to forget that they were being threatened. This danger followed them no matter if they were stateside or overseas. I also loved her best friend Cali (who is Kody's sister). Cali is a bouncy, happy, openly bi character who enjoys life. She isn't afraid to go for what she wants or protect those who she loves.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced suspenseful read, with romantic tension thrown in for good measure.
May 2, 2021
ARC Review -
If you enjoy military or mystery books, you may enjoy this unique romance thriller.
Emotionally I felt disconnected to the characters. I don't identify with Raelyn in anyway. Wanting to keep her mother's memory alive for 11 years sounded spiritually exhausting, so it was hard to connect with her character. Kody was an exception, I enjoyed his character and he kept me reading, but I was never rooting for him. I rooted for Bear though!
The story held well, I enjoyed the concept and the overall tie in reveals. Despite me finding the poetry and song writing strange, it was a clever add-in. I just wish Raelyn's talent with words was more established in the beginning, like a backstory or something to connect to.
For a debut self-published novel, I feel like this is a great learning tool for those writing a novel. The constant switch between 1st person and 3rd person is blended throughout the book. For me, this was hard to read and pulled me out of the story quickly; but that's just my bookish pet peeve. Some people enjoy this writing style, but I felt if the 1st person was at least 'hyphened' as we hear the character's thought dialogue, then the story would have felt more consistent in flow. I feel like this would have helped mask the "show don't tell" this book contains as well.
Overall this just wasn't my cup of tea, but it may be someone else's.
-Hundredacrebooks
If you enjoy military or mystery books, you may enjoy this unique romance thriller.
Emotionally I felt disconnected to the characters. I don't identify with Raelyn in anyway. Wanting to keep her mother's memory alive for 11 years sounded spiritually exhausting, so it was hard to connect with her character. Kody was an exception, I enjoyed his character and he kept me reading, but I was never rooting for him. I rooted for Bear though!
The story held well, I enjoyed the concept and the overall tie in reveals. Despite me finding the poetry and song writing strange, it was a clever add-in. I just wish Raelyn's talent with words was more established in the beginning, like a backstory or something to connect to.
For a debut self-published novel, I feel like this is a great learning tool for those writing a novel. The constant switch between 1st person and 3rd person is blended throughout the book. For me, this was hard to read and pulled me out of the story quickly; but that's just my bookish pet peeve. Some people enjoy this writing style, but I felt if the 1st person was at least 'hyphened' as we hear the character's thought dialogue, then the story would have felt more consistent in flow. I feel like this would have helped mask the "show don't tell" this book contains as well.
Overall this just wasn't my cup of tea, but it may be someone else's.
-Hundredacrebooks
September 8, 2021
Break the Stone is the first book in the Golden Chain Series by Cassie Swindon. Cassie is a talented and Gifted author. Crisp dialogue without unnecessary fluff or filler, three dimensional characters that come to life on the pages and a believable storyline made for a quick, entertaining read This suspenseful adventure, full of mysterious threats and military romance is perfect for fans of fast-paced storylines and cliffhangers*** Raelyn Bell defies her father’s wishes by investigating the truth of her mother’s death. But if she keeps snooping, it could sever the fragile relationship with the only parent she has left. Meanwhile, Army Specialist Kody Walsh’s obeys questionable orders that lead him straight to Raelyn. "Love at first sight" doesn't mean it'll be an easy journey. If Kody aids in her quest, it could mean game over for his career. If Raelyn stops searching for answers, she'll never learn the truth about her mother. As the two cut through layers of lies, threats, explosions, ambushes, and stalkers, their bond grows stronger. But the dangers prove worse than they ever feared. Can they see this adventure through without losing their lives—and each other? I rate this book highly. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation.
May 27, 2023
The suspense started right from that beginning with this book. I was intrigued when I first saw this series and found it was easy to get into the story and its action.
There were times when I wavered between thinking some things felt rushed and then back to enjoying the flow and how the pieces were connecting and falling into place.
There were also times where the details were disjointed, such as a part of page 74 when Raelyn was talking with Kody in his kitchen...was she washing dishes or doing homework? The details were all over the place at times. I would have liked for these little oddities to have been caught in editing/proofing.
Some additional development would have also been nice at times too. It just made things feel too fast and/or disconnected. The pace felt a little jumpy and hard to follow occasionally, and Raelyn's behavior at times was hard to understand. I liked the idea of this story and where it was trying to go, but the places where it didn't seem to flow well took a bit of the joy out of reading it.
There were many intense and emotional scenes in the book. The ending was also very action-packed and definitely made me want to continue on with the series.
Although I found some issues with pacing and errors, overall I did enjoy the story and will continue to give this author's books a chance.
There were times when I wavered between thinking some things felt rushed and then back to enjoying the flow and how the pieces were connecting and falling into place.
There were also times where the details were disjointed, such as a part of page 74 when Raelyn was talking with Kody in his kitchen...was she washing dishes or doing homework? The details were all over the place at times. I would have liked for these little oddities to have been caught in editing/proofing.
Some additional development would have also been nice at times too. It just made things feel too fast and/or disconnected. The pace felt a little jumpy and hard to follow occasionally, and Raelyn's behavior at times was hard to understand. I liked the idea of this story and where it was trying to go, but the places where it didn't seem to flow well took a bit of the joy out of reading it.
There were many intense and emotional scenes in the book. The ending was also very action-packed and definitely made me want to continue on with the series.
Although I found some issues with pacing and errors, overall I did enjoy the story and will continue to give this author's books a chance.
April 17, 2021
I hope you are reading this review after you've put this entire series in your TBR!
This book was amazing! And the author is incredible and the sweetest person I've ever met!
You could definitely notice the development of each character from the very beginning till the end. Their emotions were well captured that even during reading I could feel their happiness or sadness or even heartbreak. (I wish you could see the waterfalls pouring from my eyes lol)
The plot of the book is well written, and the entire story was guided toward the main problem. Despite the main plot being investigating over Raelyn's mother, that didn't stop us from receiving a bit of a growing friendship and relationship.
Raelyn and Kody's journey was the perfect representation of how a relationship should be with its ups and downs. I won't be spoiling it, so make sure to read the details yourself ;)
I was a bit stressed and didn't stop messaging the author about how freaked out I was lol. I did take some one minute long breaks to let the events sink in.
It was a wonderful journey and I'm sure all of you will love reading this book.
This book was amazing! And the author is incredible and the sweetest person I've ever met!
You could definitely notice the development of each character from the very beginning till the end. Their emotions were well captured that even during reading I could feel their happiness or sadness or even heartbreak. (I wish you could see the waterfalls pouring from my eyes lol)
The plot of the book is well written, and the entire story was guided toward the main problem. Despite the main plot being investigating over Raelyn's mother, that didn't stop us from receiving a bit of a growing friendship and relationship.
Raelyn and Kody's journey was the perfect representation of how a relationship should be with its ups and downs. I won't be spoiling it, so make sure to read the details yourself ;)
I was a bit stressed and didn't stop messaging the author about how freaked out I was lol. I did take some one minute long breaks to let the events sink in.
It was a wonderful journey and I'm sure all of you will love reading this book.
April 29, 2021
ARC Reivew: This book.....where do I even begin. It was easy to get sucked into Raelynn's story from the first paragraph. She is strong but broken, having to face the world missing both parents even though one of them is still with her. The mystery surrounding what is happening around her continues to swirl and swirl - I feel her frustration and intrigue throughout it all, her need to KNOW and to understand what is happening in her world.
Kody - what a well rounded character with solid foundation and need for truth and honor. Something the military should always be about but isn't necessarily. You know Snyder is a sketchy bastard, but the lengths that he goes to ruin those around him....man oh man.
Without giving too much of the plot away - READ THIS BOOK! You will not be sorry, but be forewarned - it is a cliffhanger, and you will feel emotionally drained in a way that is almost satisfying. It is a direct result of the story that Cassie Swindon has weaved for us. I am not so patiently waiting for the second book! I NEED TO KNOW what happens next!
Kody - what a well rounded character with solid foundation and need for truth and honor. Something the military should always be about but isn't necessarily. You know Snyder is a sketchy bastard, but the lengths that he goes to ruin those around him....man oh man.
Without giving too much of the plot away - READ THIS BOOK! You will not be sorry, but be forewarned - it is a cliffhanger, and you will feel emotionally drained in a way that is almost satisfying. It is a direct result of the story that Cassie Swindon has weaved for us. I am not so patiently waiting for the second book! I NEED TO KNOW what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews