Rule Breaker
4.5 StarsSo I am not sure what to say. After reading this I am left with many things to ponder about.
Mase and Lailani story struck a chord with me. Because it actually has quite a few parallels to my own.
Well. In some aspects, others none whatsoever.
Let me explain: I am a white girl from Switzerland, who met her guy, who is coloured and from South Africa, on a trip. We both kinda shocked everyone, when we married 2 months later. Neither his family nor mine were at the time on board. Though mine just couldn't understand how I could just off the cuff be sure. That's how they saw it at the time. His family felt similar and then there was my heritage. I was rather white, for a post apartheid community.
We both are nomads at heart as well. And we travelled the world together. Well, I should say we are travelling- I don't think that will ever end. He is my home and when we met, I felt like I saw him but also he saw and recognized me truly.
So I can totally and utterly relate to the racial dramas that other have... I can also relate to them. Sadly they are true for many people and an experience mixed race couples still go through. But it's not just related to race I think it's true to social status, wealth and every other freakn prejudice out there. And honestly we all have some of those. Rule Breaker is a good reminder of that reality.
Oh let me just say this as well, I am not a surfer girl. Neither is Mr.O. I was a snowboarder, but I haven't seen much snow in the last 15 years.. so I'm not sure I can call myself that.
I have never been in Hawaii. Now I wish more than ever I could go. I wanna see those mountains, the volcanoes and flowers the Bastions so aptly describe. And I might actually give surfing a try.
Oh and then there are the environmental issues that they touch on. The finding your own way subject and also how to impact and change the world... so much that touched me and resonated with me.
So long wound story cut short: This is beautifully written novel, that left me philosophical and touched my heart. Well, the second part did at least.
The first half- is all smoldering slow romance that left me hot and bothered. Lol. I was desperate for them to finally kiss! And when the one and only smut scene happened, I felt like f.i.n.a.l.l.y!
And this is me! Miss not-into-smut-at-all. I think there should be a warning that there is a lot of smoldering and alot of extremely slow build up going on here.. forget the warning that it has some adult content. Cause that lasted like a second. Just warning all my smut-loving friend out there.
The story line- as you gathered by now- is a slow smoldering romance. It's different than most New Adult stories out there. It's slower and deeper. Yet it has lots of wonderful banter, beautiful exoctic locations and interesting characters in it. It's totally up my alley.
The character building is brilliant in some chases and kinda left me unsatisfied in others.
Mase and Lani are wonderful characters. The Bastions created MCs that feel real and tangible. As I said I connected to both of them so much. But Mase, I felt like we cut from the same cloth! Just astounding. Both of the MCs are strong, interesting individuales. Both are brave and ready to do what needs done. Both finding their own way. Simply put: Brilliant character building. They feel real and I feel like I know them.
I didn't quite get Mason's change of heart in the beginning. It was a total 180 for me. And I kept wondering about it until nearly the end. I am not quite sure why he changed his mind, yet I understand somehow why, I think.
Then there is the support cast. We get a little visit of the previous crew. I love Mase's crowd. I fell in love with them in the Four Wedding's series. Reading about them again, felt like revisiting old friends.
I also like the ever elusive yet wise Makani. Though I realise now that I have no idea about him at all. He reminded me of the wise old guy that pops up when needed, yet he is only Mase's age. Which I'm guessing is around 22. I am however intrigued and am hoping that maybe there will be a book about him. *hint hint*
Lani's family is the same. We got brief glimpses of them, I get why they behave the way the do. But I don't feel like I know anything about them. In stark contrast to Mase's family. I don't know if this is because I related more to Mase of if there was more there about his family. They were quite clearly described and it's clear who they are. But I also have the biggest issues with them. I get being ambitious, I get some people being racists and I get that family has expectations. What I didn't get at all. Mason's view that he was just the second son, that he was never loved. That while totally misguided his parents didn't want what they thought was good for him. The thing is, I've noticed that basically all novels I've been reading about wealthy american families portait them like that. So basically if you rich and have some sort of powerful position automatically means you a crap parent. More so you are selfish and heartless. That is grating on me. I don't believe that is true. I think most parents want what they think is good for their children. Most parents do love their children. So while they might act shitty, because well it's easy to be misguided, the whole you just an asset to me line- is not true. At least I need to believe this, because otherwise society is utterly doomed. I've been brought up believing a mothers love will conquer mountains. And that is not to do with any social or financial standing. I like to keep believing that.
So. Here we are.
So many beautiful moments. So many that moved my soul and heart. A novel that resonated with me deeply. A story that touched me and left me wanting more.
My FAVORITE novel by the Bastions so far.
If you looking for something beautiful and smoldering, with plenty of fun banter and that will leave you inspired and thoughtful. This is your book.
I shall leave you with a few quotes that will resonate in me for a long time to come
(most of them by Mason, can I just say he is totally my book soulmate lol)
"The fabric of the world. All of us unique thread within it.""Makes for a richer life for all involved.""
"Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta: Good thoughts. Good words. Good deeds. ""Elegant.""And simple.""What does it meant to you?"He gazed up at the stars. "I think the world is more complex than we could ever imagine. And we can't even begin to fix everything happening around us, let alone political issues happening globally. But we can be the best selves we were meant to be. We can be pure and good. Forgiving and relentless. And when an obstacle lies in our path?"He paused, then glanced at me."Be like water."
Restless and settled at once, craving more, yet satisfied with what I'd been granted.
"Everyone thinks their mark to change the world has to be big, heard it all my life:'Make a splash,''Hit 'em with a game changer.'People in power want one gigantic atomic bomb whose blast vibrates the whole world. But they've got it wrong. It's too big."
"..Accepting the beliefs of those around me, blending into what already exsitst and contributing what I can is important to me. If we keep that spirit alive one act at a time-with every act we make- we make the world better."
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone""