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Clean Break Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

Lane Haviland can’t seem to catch a break. She’s dead broke, barely functioning as an adult, and completely alone in New York City. Her so-called “apartment” is a six-by-nine cell in a Brooklyn basement. And her new boss hasn’t ever met a personal or professional boundary she can’t bulldoze through.

Still, Lane’s determined to at least attempt to claw her way back to respectability. But she can’t seem to get her mysterious handyman, Viktor, out of her apartment – or her headspace. Maybe that’s a good thing: Viktor’s easy on the eyes, and that deep-voiced Russian accent is beyond sexy. But as he and Lane grow closer, he can no longer hide his connections with a dangerous criminal underworld – where secrets can be deadly.

"Brilliant and sharp." - The Filthy Critic

"The suspense and romance so central to the story reminded me of Susan Isaacs' best work, which I read quite a while back but still resonate with me whenever an author achieves that nice mix of suspense, romance, and humor ... I was glued to the story and kept laughing out loud, much to the dismay of my co-workers in the office lunch room. I highly recommend this sassy little novel." - Goodreads Reviewer

"The hope, angst, romance, touches of suspense and the heartwarming characters make this book an altogether captivating read." - Goodreads Reviewer

"Very well written story filled with humor and heart. I had a hard time putting it down." - Goodreads Reviewer

"I was very impressed with and enjoyed this romance / women’s fiction hybrid. It was beautifully and very intelligently written, with an engaging plot, well-developed characters, believable dialogue, and interesting settings... I highly recommend this book to romance or women’s fiction enthusiasts." - Goodreads Reviewer
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The writing is strong. Really strong. If there was an award for breakthrough author, I would nominate Abby Vegas. I truly believe she is one to watch in the future." - Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews
"I instantly connected with this story...When I finished the book, my mind was still reeling from how wonderful it was, and I wanted more." -
Rant and Rave Book Reviews

"Few things make happier than reading a book that is worth my while...there is the right dose of hope, angst, humour, and confusion, with a bit of suspense... In a nutshell,
Clean Break is one very lovely read. The author is clearly good at what she does, and I found myself happy and sad alongside the characters. It's a beautifully written work." - 1-800 Books

"I didn't want to put it down ... Abby has done a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life. And there is a real twist towards the end of the book. I loved it and highly recommend it." -
Yet Another Blogging Mummy

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01C9Q50I4
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 16, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 809 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

About the author

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Abby Vegas
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Abby Vegas loves writing and reading books that feature feisty, flawed heroines. Her favorite authors include Robin Hobb, Susan Isaacs, Georgette Heyer, Bill Bryson, Dave Barry, and David Sedaris. She grew up in New York City and lives in Michigan with her family.

Visit Abby on the web at AbbyVegasAuthor.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
130 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot mysterious and exciting, with one review highlighting its twists and turns. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how the author balances elements beautifully. Additionally, the characters are well-developed, particularly the heroine's self-depreciating wit, and customers appreciate the delightful humor throughout the story.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

26 customers mention "Suspenseful plot"23 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot, describing it as mysterious and exciting, with one customer noting its engaging twists and turns.

"...that is told in first person, showing struggle, redemption, referred to sexual scenes, heartwarming, unexpected surprises and even humorous at times..." Read more

"...The story has drama, suspense, mystery, romance and humor...." Read more

"Great book with twists and turns. It will be hard to start another book after reading this one. It was well written and different from the usual...." Read more

"...I read this in one night-indicative that it absolutely held my attention...." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great summer read that kept their interest throughout.

"Good debut novel with interesting characters...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the book very much. Best plot and story I have read in a good while." Read more

"Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The writing is concise-each place visited is described so well that I feel as though I'm actually there!..." Read more

"...It was a good story and kept my interest. Lane during this story is being smart. But she was recklessly foolish before the story begins...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its beautiful prose and great vocabulary, with one customer highlighting the realistic dialogue and another mentioning how the author effectively balances various narrative elements.

"...person, showing struggle, redemption, referred to sexual scenes, heartwarming, unexpected surprises and even humorous at times, however, there will..." Read more

"...I like how the author doesn't gloss over the drudgery of work, difficult clients/employers, living in a dumpy apartment in dumpy neighborhood and..." Read more

"...The writing is so skillful that it hooked me immediately. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a very long time...." Read more

"...It was well written and different from the usual. Starts out with a girl down on her luck...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characters in the book, particularly noting the heroine's self-depreciating wit, and one customer mentions how well the chemistry between the main characters is portrayed.

"...name a few were simply off the chart being well developed, defined, portrayed and believable giving the reader one intriguing read...." Read more

"Good debut novel with interesting characters...." Read more

"This book surprised me. The writer really nailed the chemistry between the main characters, creating a believable plot while creating other surprise..." Read more

"...The main character Lane was believable, flawed, and self-aware enough that I was rooting for her the whole way through...." Read more

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book.

"...to sexual scenes, heartwarming, unexpected surprises and even humorous at times, however, there will be some dark parts in the read that did leave..." Read more

"...The story has drama, suspense, mystery, romance and humor...." Read more

"...with elements of mystery set in New York, and warmed by the author's quirky sense of humor...." Read more

"...Interesting twists and turns, and delightful humor. Could not put this book down! Highly recommend it for your summer reading list." Read more

Mind Blown!
4 out of 5 stars
Mind Blown!
This book really caught me off guard (in the best possible way) – it wasn’t anything like I expected – I was actually disheartened at first – But I kept on reading looking for the more to these characters and Vegas delivered in spades with a few surprise twists in the bargain! Far more is at play than the reader is aware, infusing me, after the final plot twist, with the zeal to have a second read simply searching for clues. This was a tale of mystery – one steeped in the ideas of metamorphosis, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and a testament to how people (and books) can surprise you. I admit, I was seduced by the cover but those plot twists? Mind Blown!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2016
    Title: Clean Break
    Author: Abby Vegas
    Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform
    Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
    Rating: Five
    Review:

    "Clean Break" by Abby Vegas

    My Thoughts....

    This was definitely one of those contemporary romance with suspense and mystery that will keep you engaged turning the pages till the end because you will want to know what happens next. This protagonist, Lane Haviland was really quite a interesting person as she is able to make it work in almost any adventurous situation that is given to her. I will say she had quite a rough road with all that happens to her from being 'virtually penniless, her part time job won't pay her bills and not having a family or a home living there in New York City.' It hadn't always been like this for Lane...for once she had everything in her life....'a wonderful family, money and love' but what had happened to her?

    Wow, and as this story goes on Lane has been scammed out of money[$800] that was to have been for her down payment for an apartment. At this point I was left wondering what all had brought her to this point in her life. However, I will say this heroine was one smart lady, but a times she handled situations a little strange to me. What did happen to her after Lane goes to the police and meets that detective [Jarrett]? What happens after that is sort of a nightmare that seems to go on and on for Lane after the detective helps her find a place to stay. Then a handymen [Viktor]shows up and will help Lane and this is where this story really starts to take off.

    What will happen after Lane found her [PA]assistant job to this 'spoiled wealthy women with two kids and a husband that works all the time.' That part of the novel was very interesting and I will stop here and say to find out more about this relationship with this family along with Lane being given a basement apartment where she meets that handyman....to get the rest of this story you will have to pick up this read to see what all happens in this rich story of 'Clean Break.'

    The reader will get a very well told story that is told in first person, showing struggle, redemption, referred to sexual scenes, heartwarming, unexpected surprises and even humorous at times, however, there will be some dark parts in the read that did leave questions especially of a certain character who turned out to be a really 'creepy dude' that was not answered for me in the end...as to what happened with him? What was up with the hero...the handyman [Viktor] as it seemed like he was tied up with 'the Russian crime element in Lane's neighborhood.' What I didn't care about this hero was the way he kept Lane in the dark? I know he had too but? Oh well...how will all of this affect Lane in the end as she tries to find out more about this situation? Will these two [Lane and Griff] get to their HEA? Again to get the answers to all of these questions the reader will have to pick up this good read to find out.

    I found all the characters [Lane, Viktor, Randy, Cynthia, Jarrett] to name a few were simply off the chart being well developed, defined, portrayed and believable giving the reader one intriguing read.
    By the end of this read I did agree with this title and that this heroine and hero definitely needed a 'Clean Break!'

    If you are looking for a read with lots of suspense, twist and turns with some romance you have come to the right place for 'Clean Break' will give it all to you.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2016
    Good debut novel with interesting characters. I particularly liked the protagonist Lane, who after suffering a great tragedy and with her circumstances spiraling to near bottom, doesn't give up and tries to rebuild her life, one day at a time. I like how the author doesn't gloss over the drudgery of work, difficult clients/employers, living in a dumpy apartment in dumpy neighborhood and surviving hand to mouth on barely livable wages. The story has drama, suspense, mystery, romance and humor. Viktor is a sexy mysterious character, but he's also very obviously based on the character of Lucas North from the TV show Spooks/MI-5. My only critique would be that I wish the author had given Viktor a more original and less sensational backstory instead of being so close to Lucas North's back story. This makes the final reveal anti-climatic since the story ends up coming off as fan-fiction instead of an original novel.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
    This is a stay-up-till-3AM kind of book! Viktor is so wonderful that I would be tempted to burn through all my money and move to a cell-like apartment in NY for a chance at a single night with him. The writing is so skillful that it hooked me immediately. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a very long time. Already looking forward to rereading. Do yourself a favor and get this book!!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
    Great book with twists and turns. It will be hard to start another book after reading this one. It was well written and different from the usual. Starts out with a girl down on her luck. She finally gets a full time job with a rather rich family. Along the way, living in her very expensive, nasty, basement rental, she encounters a couple of handymen who come to fix a water problem. One of them is a scary dude, the other seems more interesting. But, who is this other handyman named Viktor? She also has problems with a cop who recommended her basement apartment when money from a former rental lease she had made was stolen. You will have to read the book to find out more as I do not want to give anything away. I enjoyed the book very much. Best plot and story I have read in a good while.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
    Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The writing is concise-each place visited is described so well that I feel as though I'm actually there! An assortment of Russian words are used throughout the book, and are all defined in the back of the book. At one point I was concerned who, if anyone was going to be Lane's true love. And Viktor, whom I fell in love with myself, made a playlist of music for Lane and the entire playlist is available, also at the end of the book. I read this in one night-indicative that it absolutely held my attention. If you enjoy romance and suspense novels I wouldn't hesitate to recommend CLEAN BREAK.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars A cross-genre novel that will make you read the book in one go
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2016
    It's hard to define what this book is - but one thing is for sure: it is un-put-downable! A mystery, a story of redemption, a romance, a crime novel, even some family drama. Clean Break was a cross-genre novel of a kind that I have never really come across before. Main character Lane may be difficult to identify with at the beginning, but her journey from being as low as you can get, to regaining her mental balance - and her life - is immersive and uplifting. The mystery handyman Viktor with the sexy accent is more than just a love interest with some eye candy thrown in - he proves to be an interesting character in his own right - and will surprise you at the end. As do some of the other characters' journeys.
    Written in light-flowing prose, Abby Vegas's quips in Clean Break made me laugh out loud in places, adding light relief when the scenario is dire. Particularly Lane's internal monologue when faced with the antics of her uptown employer, were priceless.
    I read this book in one go - I simply needed to know what was going to happen next. The twists and turns were unexpected and yet believable, the characters are well-rounded, the denouement is satisfying. In short: Recommended reading!
  • Peter von der Stetten
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great novel
    Reviewed in Germany on October 20, 2017
    Very enjoyable novel, written very well and with some unexpected emotional punch. I’m looking forward to reading more by Abby.
    Report
  • Fiona Brady
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent debut!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2017
    I read this book as a change from my usual genre and was expecting a chick lit type novel. This is so much more than that. It’s funny, sad and heart warming and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have to suspend belief at times but the writing is so strong that it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel.
    I’m glad I took a gamble on this and look forward to more from this author.
    My thanks to Netgalley for this copy.
  • dobby_the_house_elf
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, fast novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2016
    I had this on my reading pile for ages - I think it was the cover that just didn't grab me - but when I finally started it last night I couldn't put it down.

    Loved the eclectic mix of characters - from tall, dark and mysterious to rich, privileged and ridiculous. The plot moved easily from one setting to another, intertwining the various lives and their personal dramas. There is a totally unsuitable love-interest that you really want to like, and a seemingly unstable heroine that turns out to be totally grounded.

    OK so I guessed the end, I didn't care. This is a fun, fast novel. The cover is still boring though!
  • Rebecca
    5.0 out of 5 stars What an ending
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2019
    First book I’ve read by this author and I really did not predict the ending.
    Victor is the handyman who has secrets, she is being warned by the Detective that he is bad news but will she heed his advice or does the detective have his own agenda.

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