The Line That Breaks (The Line That Binds #2) by J.M. Miller

Blurb: While searching for answers involving Stockton Estate’s stone well, Ben Shadows and LJ Wayde discover one truth: the curse is real.

Unfortunately, that truth has LJ facing the same fate that’s been tied to her bloodline for generations. The curse has given her the ability to help others conquer their greatest weaknesses, but it comes with a torturous price. As the rush of helping people starts to outweigh the pain of the consequences, LJ moves toward acceptance. She considers it a gift, a chance to make up for the way she treated people in the past.
Ben pushes on to find an end to the curse despite LJ’s reluctance. He fears the real consequences are far worse than LJ’s current symptoms, possibly linked to her Aunt Janine’s memory loss. His love drives his need to protect her, even if it means hiding the next piece of the well’s mystery.

When LJ finds what Ben has kept secret, she may never forgive him.

Will he lose her heart before he can save her mind?

Favorite Quote:

The memory had me fighting tears while his arms flexed against me and his tongue caressed mine. The kiss suddenly became more powerful and expressive than any I’d ever felt. It was packed with so much emotion that I knew I could live an infinite amount of lives and never experience this raw beauty with anyone else.

3.5 stars

I remember liking the first one more. They kept going on about how much they love each other but they don’t really give a solid reason why except for their mutual phyisical attraction.  And that got a bit repetitive.  Although, it has been a loooong time since I read the first one so I could just be remembering it wrong.

One thing I did not like was how stubborn LJ was when she found out this ‘secret’ Ben had.  I didn’t feel the secret was that large to elicit such of a response from her. I felt she overreacted and I found her to be kinda whiny this time around.

Ben was sweet to LJ and attentive to her needs, especially when things started to go downhill for her. I can’t really go into that more without spoilers so I’ll have to just leave it at that.  But his willingness to sacrifice for her was incredibly endearing.

Great ending if a bit of info dumping. I did like how there was no tangible bad guy but a past that literally haunts them.  It was a bit of a trip to not see a big bad vanquished. The end was neat and tidy.  I’d read more from this author.