Bracing the Storm by J.C. Reed transports readers into a fiery tale of opposites attract. The story offers the perfect blend of humour, sizzling chemistry, and the enemies-to-lovers trope. Prepare for a thrilling emotional ride that’s as stormy as it is satisfying and engaging.
Title: Bracing the Storm
Author(s): J.C. Reed
Published by Self-published on May 27, 2025
Pages: 259
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Source: Publicist
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon
Rating:
Heat Level:
The guy I just met at the mansion I inherited from a complete stranger?He's drop dead gorgeous. Sexy. And rude with a Capital R.Turns out he's not the hot gardener as I wrongly assumed. He's notonly a famous rock star who grew up in the house, he's also ready tofight for it. And being both hot-headed and Irish, he's going to fighthard and dirty.
I'm not moving out. Full Stop.But neither is he. So we agree on some simple rules.
We'll play roommates for a while. What could possibly go wrong?Living together with an Irish Hothead will surely cause a major storm.Let's hope bracing that storm won't turn into a hurricane.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Imagine inheriting a mansion in Ireland. At first glance, it seems like a dream come true. However, for Lori, the heroine in Bracing the Storm by J.C. Reed, it quickly turns into a battle of wills—with a gorgeous, infuriating rockstar.
Instead of enjoying her dream inheritance, Lori walks into a storm—literally and figuratively. The house comes with Patrick, a stubborn, brooding rockstar who refuses to leave. He grew up in the mansion and can’t understand why his mother would Will it to a complete stranger. What follows is an exciting, enemies-to-lovers romance brimming with sarcastic banter, simmering tension, and all the chaos you’d expect when two strong personalities are trapped under one roof—two people determined not to fall in love… but fate has other plans.
Lori may not appeal to every reader, but I admired her. Her strength and determination shone throughout the story. Watching her stand her ground against Patrick was a highlight—she gave as good as she got. No matter how charming or manipulative he tried to be, Lori refused to back down.
Patrick, on the other hand, is moody, magnetic, and clearly harboring deep emotional baggage, which adds depth and intrigue to his character. Together, their chemistry crackles. Their emotional push-pull, filled with angst and unresolved tension, kept the pages turning. Watching their walls crumble, bit by bit, was both entertaining and satisfying.
J.C. Reed does a great job balancing drama with humor, giving readers moments of levity that prevent the tension from becoming overwhelming. The pacing is just right—it’s a slow burn, but it never drags. The relationship builds naturally, with emotional moments that felt authentic.
If you enjoy romance with sizzling chemistry, stormy Irish settings, and two fierce characters who fight just as hard as they fall, Bracing the Storm deserves a spot on your reading list.
A word of caution: the story ends on a cliffhanger—one I definitely didn’t see coming.
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- Bracing the Storm: J C Reed - May 27, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
A mysterious Irish inheritance and a stubborn rockstar for her? How fun!
Oh I could see myself liking this one.