Review: The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle

The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: Review copy from author via Xpresso Book Tours

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

The Breakaway is a unique and heartbreaking contemporary novel, about a 17 year old girl who is kidnapped and held hostage. I thought this book was incredibly well-written- chilling, moving, confusing and thought- provoking.

Naomi is a very timid and insecure girl- she is too scared to really stand up for herself. In some ways Naomi has always been a victim- ignored by her parents, and put down by her aggressive boyfriend, and so she has never fought back. But I did find that she was still a character that you could connect with emotionally, and I did feel sympathy for her and fear for her situation.

It is almost a new spin on a Stockholm Syndrome story as Naomi starts to accept her situation, grow attached to her kidnappers and even to fall in love with one of them. It is the family she never had. I did actually grow to really like Jesse, despite the situation, and found it ironic that compared to her boyfriend Brad, the nice guy is the villain.

I loved the tension and the very real sense of danger that Naomi is in, and also Naomi's insecurity and indecisiveness- what is right and wrong- and the ultimate wrench of her choices. It is very intense and I found the story completely engrossing. This is not your normal kidnapping situation, and Naomi has her eyes opened to how people can relate to one another.

There is also the mystery surrounding the kidnappers- the reason for Naomi's abduction, and the gradual unveiling of a backstory that really helped to flesh out these characters, and show them in different lights. They do have a reason behind their actions. They do play psychological mind games, but they also obviously grow to care about Naomi as well.

It is a frightening, fascinating and moving story. Clever in a very twisted way. I really enjoyed getting into the mindset of the struggles of the main character and feeling confused and passionate about these characters. Recommended for fans of darker, realistic fiction.




If this book has you intrigued I will be hosting a giveaway for a chance to win a copy on Thursday (21st Feb)!