C. Marie Headlee's Breakaway is one of those rare stories that manages to be a light, cozy mystery and a really thoughtful look at starting over. The story follows Bruno and Alison, two people who are trying to redefine what a "good life" looks like after everything falls apart. Bruno is stuck in Minneapolis, nursing a broken heart by impulsively adopting two rescue dogs, while Alison heads for a rural B&B in Manitoba to clear her head. What starts as a simple getaway for her quickly turns into a bit of a whirlwind. Between saving a missing toddler, landing a massive design job, and getting tangled up in a strange rabbit crime involving a local preacher, Alison’s journey in the country feels engaging and real. The setting is gorgeous—I could practically see the blue flax fields and the lakeside cottages—and the mix of community secrets and late-night stakeouts kept the story moving without ever losing its heart.

I was so invested while reading because the story wasn't just interesting due to the mystery; it was the people. C. Marie Headlee has a knack for defining characters that feel like someone you’d actually meet in a small town. Even the side characters, like Howie or the caffeine-fueled teen detective Sammy, had so much personality. I loved that the story didn't skip themes like restorative justice and ethical gray areas, but it handled them through conversations and community meals rather than a lecture. By the time I finished reading, I felt like I’d spent a long weekend at the Flax Blossom B&B myself. If you enjoy character-driven stories, Breakaway is a perfect pick.

C. Marie Headlee's Breakaway follows the unexpected adventures of a thirty-two-year-old interior designer named Alison Berkley. Alison needs a break. She doesn't fully trust her boyfriend, Bruno, an actor who has a habit of unwittingly charming his co-stars. But Bruno is no womanizer. After seeing her deceased mother in a vision, Alison travels to the Flax Blossom B&B in the small town of Stibley in Manitoba, Canada. It doesn't take long for Alison to socialize with the town's inhabitants. Assigned to renovate a cottage, she is shocked to discover a pile of dead rabbits and symbols burned into the hardwood floors of the cottage. With the local authorities far from being helpful, Alison takes it upon herself to solve the case, relying on her PI skills. Helping her investigate is a teenager obsessed with crime novels.

Breakaway is a light-hearted sleuth mystery layered with charm, humor, and a dash of romance. The book is entertaining from beginning to end. Author C. Marie Headlee spins a fast-paced yarn that leaves you with a smile on your face. Whether it's the witty dialogue or the likable characters, there's so much to love about this novel. Almost every interaction between the characters is laced with drama and intrigue. Alison is a fascinating protagonist. She is charming and hilarious, which makes her easy to follow and root for. I loved her relationships with Clarisse, Sam, Bruno, and Mick. I was not expecting the mystery to unfold like that, and the ending took me by surprise. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and heartily recommend it to readers of contemporary romance and sleuth mystery novels.

In Breakaway by C. Marie Headlee, Alison leaves Minneapolis and her boyfriend, Bruno, after dreaming of her late mother, and travels alone to a rural bed and breakfast in Manitoba for a brief retreat. When she agrees to evaluate a recently purchased lakeside cottage for renovation, she unlocks the door and discovers symbols burned into the floors and a pile of dead rabbits inside. She documents the scene and reports it to the local police, putting herself inside an escalating investigation that unsettles the town. As scrutiny intensifies, Bruno arrives unexpectedly from Minneapolis, determined to reconnect, but his presence draws attention and complicates matters. With community loyalties shifting and private tensions surfacing, Alison must decide how to proceed while the truth behind the vandalism remains unresolved.

C. Marie Headlee’s Breakaway is written primarily from Alison's first-person perspective, and so we get a really detailed look into what is going on in her life and her head. Alison comes across as really down to earth and likable. She's smart and able to keep her cool when questioned by the authorities. Equally fully fleshed out is Clarisse, the B & B proprietor, who has an instinctive protectiveness, stepping in and ensuring that Alison’s voice is heard. Manitoba becomes a character almost in its own right, and Headlee does a beautiful job of bringing readers into the settings, from a church mediation beneath stained glass to the lakeside cottage humming with industrial air purifiers. Some shock twists extend beyond dead bunnies with a satisfying ending. Well written and totally immersive, this book is perfect for readers who appreciate a community facing mysteries. Very highly recommended.