Breaking Through the Waves (Hawaiian Crush)

Connected by the Sea is book #2 in the Hawaiian Crush series.

This is the sequel to Connected by the Sea and the continuation of Coen and Sydney’s story.

I loved this book more then the first one.

We find out Sydney’s secret and what she’s had to endure for most of her life. She should have been a wreck but her character is brave and strong and she also has Coen’s love and protection.

I loved how Sydney dealt with Coen’s ex-girlfriend.

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

I was so torn on how to rate this book. This is such a unique story as to most on the market. The story isn't just about friendship, or one best friend being in love when the other isn't, or a new romance, it touches on abusive families and the will to survive as well. The story in itself is awesome and the part where Caleb takes Sydney to see Rose made my heart melt into a million pieces. I love E.L. Todd's stories as they always grip me.

Since there was danger and or harassment inflicted by several people/ things i.e. family, sharks & Audrey that I wasn't sure which would hurt who and how. Is there going to be a tragic end to a character? So I kept turning pages to see what happens.

For this being a single novel the pace was good, and with so much storyline nothing was cut short. The plot is such a sweet one with meaning and though you can guess the ending there is a twist to it.

I received an advanced copy of this by the author for an review.

I fell in love with Sydney & Coen and as soon as I was done with the first book I HAD to read the second one to find out what happened! I read the whole book in one day! I read for a little bit during the day then stayed up to the wee hours of the morning finishing it. Yep, it is that good.

This is a love story and so much more. Sydney’s horrible family & best friend who is in love with her, Coen’s ex-girlfriend. They love each other so much it hurts! Sydney does not think she deserve Coen and thank God Coen does not give up.

I love these characters and as you can tell by me reading it all in one day I could not get enough. This and Connected by the Sea (the first book) are a must read!

Looking forward to reading Connected by the Tide and fall in love with Henry!

Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

Sydney has left her horrible past behind and is now attending college in Hawaii. After a classmate fails a test, the professor asks her to become a tutor. Of course, Sydney agrees before she finds out who she will be tutoring. Coen is attractive and Sydney finds herself fantasizing about him. Then, there's her best friend Henry. I felt so bad for him that I wanted her to change her mind about him. But, even just reading the pages, you can telk that there is just something special between Coen and Sydney. Of course, then there's Audrey, who happens to be Coen's ex. Honestly I think that she never really grew past the high school stage. I just wish that Sydney wasn't such a nice person and would have taught her a lesson.

This was such a wonderful book that I absolutely fell in love with from page 1. From the beginning, you are hoojed by Sydney's story and you are left wondering exactly what happened in her past to make her the way that she is. She is such a strong character and she just doesn't put up with crap from anyone. I love that from a lead female character. E.L. Todd did such a great job with this book. I just want to know more about Henry. He was such a likable character and my heart reallu brokw for him. Maybe he could get his own story????

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story, it takes place in Hawaii, and it centres around Sydney and Coen. Two university students in the same program and how they begin a relationship.

Sydney is a strong intelligent woman, who had to overcome a troubled past . She is a aspiring to be a marine biologist. She has many wonderful attributes that will draw you in and make you cheer for her throughout her struggles.

Coen is sweet man with his own obstacles to overcome, but he is a fighter too. He's passionate and devoted. You will love him!

This book will draw you in and make you fall in love with this adorable couple.

Another beautiful story by E.L. Todd

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

He wrapped his finger around hers. “You know seahorses mate for life, right?”
She smiled. “Do you want to be my seahorse?” “I assumed that I was already.” That has to be the sweetest thing I have ever heard.

Wow I thought there was drama in the first book that is nothing compared to the drama in this book. I could not believe the games that a junior in college was playing seriously it seemed like they were in high school all over again. I loved Sydney and her way of thinking, how she did not like violence but come on how much more could she take after what Aubrey, Coen’s ex-girlfriend, did to her. I would have slapped the crap out of her. I felt so bad for Coen and how he felt that it was entire his fault but loved him even more for protecting what was his. Only that he couldn’t be with her at all times. I have to say one more thing and that is Sydney and Coen have amazing friends that gathered together to help Sydney in a way that meant the world to her.

Sorry about that I needed to get my thoughts written down before they left my head. I love to read and write down my thoughts because I get so engrossed into reading. So here in the second book in this series it seems that Coen and Sydney’s relationship has flourished. Henry is still trying to get over the idea that Sydney will never be able to see him more than a bestfriend. Sydney still has issues expressing how she feels for Coen in front of Henry. She needs to quit doing that she needs to live her life and stop trying to please everyone around her. Sydney has finally opened up to Coen about her secret but hasn’t told him everything. How could she think that he would look at her differently, or not love her because of her past? She has to remember she did nothing wrong and it is in the past. At times I seem a little lost with Sydney when I think that she is going to lash out with anger because of a situation she doesn’t. I totally don’t get it but she is a better person than most.

Finally Coen’s hears her secret but he still doesn’t know everything. How could she think that he would not love her because of her past? She has to remember she did nothing wrong and it is in the past. At times I seem a little lost with Sydney when I think that she is going to lash out with anger because of a situation she doesn’t. I totally don’t get it but she is a better person that most.

If only it would stay all peachy and sunny but of course not. The happily ever after hardly ever comes so soon without something dramatic happening and her past finally comes during Thanksgiving weekend. Only this time she starts pulling away from Coen and he knows why. Sydney is a strong woman that now knows how to defend herself but will she freeze at that moment or will she actually fight back. I so hated her mom for not standing up to her husband and defend her daughter. A daughter that did not deserve what her step father and brother did to her. No one deserves what she went through bust most of all she needed to forgive herself for what happened to her dad and know that she didn’t deserve what those awful people did to her.

Breaking Through the Waves was beautifully written and flowed smoothly. Just like the first book I found myself smiling through it. My emotions were all over the place, the sadness, the amount of anger I felt towards the people that hurt Sydney. I also felt joy, happiness for the amount of love they had for each other. The characters relationship was stronger in this story but Sydney was still leery about her relationship with Coen. It’s not that she did not love him it’s that she thought that she wasn’t good enough for him that she was tainted because of her family. I love how real this story feels and how I connected even more with them. The pace of this story is perfect and totally loved the epilogue, sure it could have been longer but it was no problem how Ms. Todd left it.

I totally recommend this read to any reader. What I loved the best of this book was that Sydney finally realized that she had a family, a real family that would be there for her and she for them. I can’t wait for Henry’s story.

This is the continuing story of Sydney and Coen. What a great couple. Not perfect, but accepting of each other; working through their issues and supporting each other; soul mates extraordinaire.

My only issue was I thought her step dad and step brother should have gotten the snot beaten out of them. I was hoping. But in true Sydney fashion, she has such heart. Not saying she didn't get her shots in, but it wasn't to the extent that I thought her steps needed.

I hope to read more on the couple as well as stories on Sydney's friends, especially Henry.

I really enjoyed this story for just the discussions that Coen and Sydney have and feel that most relationships can get through anything if they would just communicate. A worthy read.

Breaking Through The Waves is the sequel to Connected By The Sea, and the continuation of Coen and Sydney's story. The author does a wonderful job at capturing that feeling of first true love. The real deal. That intense, soul-shaking kind of love, when you feel like you can't get close enough no matter how much you try, and Coen and Sydney try their best throughout the book. There is some heat in this story. But this isn't just a love story. While Coen and Sydney try to enjoy each other and college life, they must also deal with the pain they have caused Sydney's best friend, a crazy ex of Coen's, and Sydney's traumatic childhood. This story is about the power of love. A love so strong, that it will force you to confront your demons head on so nothing stands in your way of happiness.

E.L. Todd does a wonderful job writing believable dialogue. It's real. Not perfect or poetic. She also does a wonderful job at drawing the readers into the emotions of the characters. Their love, pain, anger . . . you feel it all. I also gained a better understanding of how much discipline there is in martial arts. I enjoyed this series, and am glad the author offered to provide an ARC to me. I'm looking forward to Henry's story.