AUTHOR: Michelle Davidson Argyle
RATING: 4 STARS
PUBLISHED: May 2012 - Rhemalda Publishing
SERIES: No
Reader Guide
"When Naomi Jensen is kidnapped, it takes her parents two days to realize she’s missing. Escape isn’t high on her list of priorities when all she has to return to is an abusive boyfriend and parents who never paid much attention to her. For the first time in her life she’s part of a family—even if it is a family of criminals. But she’s still a captive. In a desperate attempt to regain some control in her life, Naomi embarks on a dangerous plan to make one of her kidnappers think she’s falling in love with him. The plan works too well, and when faced with the chance to escape, Naomi isn’t sure she wants to take it."
MY REVIEW:
The Breakaway was INTENSE. It's a captivating, original story that will make you question everyone and everything. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? Are they really the good guys? Are they really the bad guys? As a reader, you pretty much develop Stockholm Syndrome along with Naomi. I mean are her captors good people? At times, they seem like really decent people, but they kidnapped her so how could any of then be good? I thought that once I finished The Breakaway I would have all of the answers, but looking back, I still can't label all of the characters as either good or bad, some were a little bit of both. Not all of the characters fit into a neat little box.The Breakaway isn't your typical young adult novel. It's definitely a lot different from the young adult books that I usually read. For one thing, it's a lot darker than my usual picks. For another, it's definitely not a hearts and flowers romance, which is the type of romance I typically choose. I couldn't read a novel like The Breakaway every day, but it was a wonderful change of pace from my regular reads. It definitely stands apart from other novels in its genre.
Like I said before, The Breakaway is not a hearts and flowers romance novel. Don't get me wrong, there's a romance in this novel, but it's not your typical romance.
Naomi, the main character in this novel, is kidnapped and brought to live with her captors. Plotting her escape, Naomi acts like she is falling in love with Jesse, one of her captors. Over time, Naomi realizes that Jesse treats her better than her boyfriend ever did, and she starts to really fall for him. Jesse is the first person to ever show her what love is. As time goes on, Naomi's feelings for Reece deepen, and eventually they embark on an unorthodox relationship. I doubt that everyone will support their relationship. You will have to decide for yourself whether you should root for then or not, but whether you root for them or not, this is a mind-blowing novel worth reading.
There were multiple times throughout the novel when I honestly questioned whether Naomi was better off with her captors or at home. There were times when I couldn't clearly see what was best for her. Naomi had a loveless upbringing. Her parents were so busy with their careers that she was raised by nannies, and her long-term boyfriend was abusive and controlling. Naomi had a "home" for the first time with her captors. Naomi felt safe and loved for the first time because of Jesse, one of her captors.
I woke up the day after I finished this novel still thinking about Naomi. This is definitely a book that sticks with you and makes you think. It's an intense, emotional, thought-provoking novel.
I gave The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle 4 STARS. This is a beautifully developed novel that will make an impact and leave a lasting impression on readers.
