Breaking Routine by Melissa Tereze is a sweet low angst romance set in the Lake District in North West England. This is a tale of two women who find each other at the exact right moment in their lives.
The Characters
Harper is a graphic designer who just wants to start over and lick her wounds after a recent breakup with a cheating ex-fiance. She’s seeking a re-start in her new house located in an idyllic setting. She’s described as “boyish” and “beautiful”. She’s close to her mom and has that so ever-popular quirky best friend. When things in her new home go awry, she’s forced to stay at the nearby B&B owned by Cait.
Cait captured my heart immediately, probably because she runs/co-owns a B&B. Who hasn’t daydreamed of owning a B&B! She co-owns the B&B with her brother, but she has been left with the majority of the responsibility of running the place. She is a sweet, kind, girl-next-door type. She’s always willing to lend a hand to those in need. She feels stuck, certain that she could never find love in her small town, especially since she’s works all of the time. Sparks immediately fly when Harper comes to stay, but Cait is hesitant. She doesn’t want to push Harper, as Harper is still recovering from her breakup.
The Writing Style
This was a breezy, comfortable romance. Tereze excelled in capturing the little day to day interactions between two women who are falling in love, without making the novel drag. We got to watch the MC’s relationship grow organically. It was well paced and very intimate. Tereze also filled the book with local colloquialisms and food descriptions which I loved. I for one am eager to try “Eggy Bread”.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
It is so enjoyable when I find out that a novel is set somewhere interesting. I felt like I was exploring the Lake District right beside the MC’s. I finished the book aching for some good fish and chips and a cozy stay at a B&B. This book was a balm for my brain. Sometimes you just need a no angst romance to cuddle up with. Add in just the right amount of steaminess and it made for an all-around joyful read.
Cons And Heads Up
No major cons.
The Conclusion
Melissa Tereze wrote just an absolutely delightful cozy romance and if you need a brain balm, then sit back, relax with a good cup of tea and enjoy!
TLDR (too long didn’t read)
Breaking Routine is a light angst-free romance set in the Lake District in England. It’s the story of two delightful women, one an overworked B&B owner and the other a heart-broken newcomer who find each other just when they needed to.
Excerpt from Breaking Routine by Melissa Tereze
“What are you looking for in a relationship?” Wow. Cait hadn’t expected that question. But she knew exactly what she wanted. She always had. That was the sole reason it had never really worked out with anyone before. “What do I want?” Cait paused. “I don’t just want a lover or sex with no meaning. I want a best friend. Someone who makes me laugh. I want someone who is their own person but works with me to create a beautiful kind of happiness. I want a laugh I hear all day and a smile I can fall asleep to. That unexpected connection that knocks you off your feet, and in time, a love so raw that it physically hurts when you’re apart.”
Harper smiled, her head cocked slightly. “I love that you know exactly what you want.”
“Basically, I want something I’m not sure exists.”
It was true. Cait could think up all her hopes for a relationship in her head, but she was yet to find a single person who wanted the same or someone she imagined could provide that. She did see hints of the qualities she was looking for in Harper, but they’d clearly met at the wrong time, so it wasn’t meant to be.
Get It Online
When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra
Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9798579573285
- Publisher: GPC Publishing
- Melissa Tereze Online
If you enjoyed Breaking Routine by Melissa Tereze then you should also look at
Note: I received a free review copy of Breaking Routine by Melissa Tereze. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
