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Holding Her Breath
Whitney Jones's first priority is making partner at DC mega-law firm Gibson and Grey. She feels guilty for not seeing her family as much as she should, but she always made it home to River Run, Virginia, to spend Christmas with her mom, stepfather, and the rest of her large family. This is how she quite literally runs into Chace on Christmas night as she's rushing toward the 7-11 to buy a very last minute Christmas gift.Chace Murphy thinks he's hit rock bottom when his girlfriend dumps him on Christmas Eve for a man old enough to be his grandfather. However, the worst day of his life turns out to be not so bad when he takes Whitney off guard outside of the 7-11. He bumps into her while he's trying to drown his sorrows that night. She's gorgeous, but after the way they meet, he worries that she'll think he's just a bumbling wino. He doesn't think he'll ever see Whitney again until a chain of events leads to him going back to DC with her after Christmas.The closer Whitney gets to Chace, the more trouble she has figur- ing out what's really important to her. Chace makes Whitney chal- lenge her most basic assumptions about her life. When Whitney's chances of making partner are endangered, she is shocked to real- ize that there may be something more important to her than money and power--something as simple as Chace's embrace.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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859 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 4, 2011
3.5 stars
This was an interesting book on many levels.
Whitney Jones is at visiting her large, loving but somewhat dysfunctional family during the Christmas holidays when she literally stumbles across Chace Murphy.
Chace is drowning his sorrows in a bottle he is sharing with the friendly, local drunk outside the local 7-11. His live-in girlfriend of two years has just informed him that she's moving out to be with another man she's fallen in love with.
Good Samaritan Whitney gives him a ride home. The two are immediately attracted to each other but Whitney is just doing her 'keeping a possible drunk driver off the road' but while Chace is still a little miserable.
They strike up a friendship over the holidays and before you know it, Chace has packed up his things and followed Whitney to DC.
What I found immediately interesting was even though this is a romance novel, the author steps outside the box a bit and doesn't do a lot of 'normal' contemporary romance novel things. For one thing, she doesn't describe people to death. We never get a real physical description of Whitney. Chace thinks she beautiful and shapely. We only know she's African-American. But we don't know how tall or short or fat or thin or how luxurious her hair or what exact shade of brown her eyes are -- that sort of thing. We only now that Chace is attractive with eyes that are a striking color that act as a stand out feature for Whitney. Whitney has a large and eclectic circle of friends but again your imagination is the only thing that provides their descriptions. I liked that. Sometimes I get bored with having every single character in a book described down to the pores in their skin.
Another interesting thing about this book is how she crafted Chace's character. When you first meet him he is incredibly laid back, may or may not wear shoes, is happy working as a waiter or other unskilled worker. His passion is photography. I kept waiting the for the other shoe to drop. I kept telling myself - well, he has independently wealthy or he is obviously an heir to a fortune or something. But nope, he is just a guy who works just enough to fund his passion. This is so un-romance-novel hero! To the overly planned, ambitious, senior associate-trying-to-be-law partner Whitney he seems awfully unambitious. But we later learn he left a job as an investment banker because it made his so singularly unhappy.
This has resonance with Whitney because in the course of book we read about how much her job consumes her, how the politics of the office, the mad scramble to get to the top is simply eating her alive. She is unhappy and yet she feels that is the price she needs to pay because the law is her passion.
I thought the pace of the romance was very well done as well. Even though Chace and Whitney immediately like each other, they let that attraction just simmer in the background for awhile. Whitney, because she (logically,imo) believes that it is too soon after Chace's last relationship and that he is simply rebounding. Chace, because Whitney is the one that puts on the brakes. He feels like he knows his mind. As a reader I was more understanding of Whitney's position. Over time though Whitney realizes she's falling in love with Chace and decides to just let it happen.
The supporting case of characters was large, but very diverse and they all felt like real people rather than characters. Whitney's family situation was a nice touch for no other purpose that it added some texture and layers to the story. Her family didn't in any way drive the plot and truthfully weren't even necessary to the story, but their inclusion simply the finished the picture, so to speak.
Recommended.
This was an interesting book on many levels.
Whitney Jones is at visiting her large, loving but somewhat dysfunctional family during the Christmas holidays when she literally stumbles across Chace Murphy.
Chace is drowning his sorrows in a bottle he is sharing with the friendly, local drunk outside the local 7-11. His live-in girlfriend of two years has just informed him that she's moving out to be with another man she's fallen in love with.
Good Samaritan Whitney gives him a ride home. The two are immediately attracted to each other but Whitney is just doing her 'keeping a possible drunk driver off the road' but while Chace is still a little miserable.
They strike up a friendship over the holidays and before you know it, Chace has packed up his things and followed Whitney to DC.
What I found immediately interesting was even though this is a romance novel, the author steps outside the box a bit and doesn't do a lot of 'normal' contemporary romance novel things. For one thing, she doesn't describe people to death. We never get a real physical description of Whitney. Chace thinks she beautiful and shapely. We only know she's African-American. But we don't know how tall or short or fat or thin or how luxurious her hair or what exact shade of brown her eyes are -- that sort of thing. We only now that Chace is attractive with eyes that are a striking color that act as a stand out feature for Whitney. Whitney has a large and eclectic circle of friends but again your imagination is the only thing that provides their descriptions. I liked that. Sometimes I get bored with having every single character in a book described down to the pores in their skin.
Another interesting thing about this book is how she crafted Chace's character. When you first meet him he is incredibly laid back, may or may not wear shoes, is happy working as a waiter or other unskilled worker. His passion is photography. I kept waiting the for the other shoe to drop. I kept telling myself - well, he has independently wealthy or he is obviously an heir to a fortune or something. But nope, he is just a guy who works just enough to fund his passion. This is so un-romance-novel hero! To the overly planned, ambitious, senior associate-trying-to-be-law partner Whitney he seems awfully unambitious. But we later learn he left a job as an investment banker because it made his so singularly unhappy.
This has resonance with Whitney because in the course of book we read about how much her job consumes her, how the politics of the office, the mad scramble to get to the top is simply eating her alive. She is unhappy and yet she feels that is the price she needs to pay because the law is her passion.
I thought the pace of the romance was very well done as well. Even though Chace and Whitney immediately like each other, they let that attraction just simmer in the background for awhile. Whitney, because she (logically,imo) believes that it is too soon after Chace's last relationship and that he is simply rebounding. Chace, because Whitney is the one that puts on the brakes. He feels like he knows his mind. As a reader I was more understanding of Whitney's position. Over time though Whitney realizes she's falling in love with Chace and decides to just let it happen.
The supporting case of characters was large, but very diverse and they all felt like real people rather than characters. Whitney's family situation was a nice touch for no other purpose that it added some texture and layers to the story. Her family didn't in any way drive the plot and truthfully weren't even necessary to the story, but their inclusion simply the finished the picture, so to speak.
Recommended.
January 4, 2012
I can't believe I read the whole thing. I think this was the worst book I have read in a long time. I can't think of anything nice to say about it (which I can usually come up with something.) I wonder who recommended it to me - I won't read anymore books they say are worth reading.
August 30, 2011
I won this book through one of Goodreads recent giveaways. I really enjoyed this story. It was a quick read but very interesting. It had my attention right away. I'm so happy I was the recipient of this giveaway. Can't wait to read more books from Nicole Green.
July 18, 2011
**LIMITED SPOILERS TO FOLLOW**
I originally discovered Nicole Green while browsing the internet for books and came across Love Out of Order. Read the book and was HOOKED. I have been a fan of Nicole since.
I patiently waited for the release of Holding Her Breath and when I got information the book was released I snapped it up immediately. And lemme tell you, this book did not disappoint. Holding Her Breath was interesting from the beginning. When the main characters in the book originally meet it seems that their potential is zero to none based off of the circumstances alone. However, as the book progressed I personally became a fan of Whitney and her need to play it safe, while also being a fan of Chace and his plight to make Whitney understand his position. In addition, the way the author took time in developing the love story between the two without immediate complications of sex was a refreshing contrast from most contemporary/multicultural romance novels.
Another positive in this novel is the subtlety of the cultural difference between the two characters. I was a good way into the book before I even noted their differences because it was a non issue and Whitney was not the stereotypical female lead in a multicultural romance (YAY for showing diversity within the African American family unit!). This is definitely a welcomed change from other multicultural romances that mostly focus on the hurdles a relationship faces when cultural differences are an issue.
Holding Her Breath was an entertaining, enjoyable read. I purchased the book the morning of 07/02/2011 and finished the book 07/03/2011 around the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend and I am sure that I will re-read this book every couple months as I do Nicole's other books.
**Happy Reading**
I originally discovered Nicole Green while browsing the internet for books and came across Love Out of Order. Read the book and was HOOKED. I have been a fan of Nicole since.
I patiently waited for the release of Holding Her Breath and when I got information the book was released I snapped it up immediately. And lemme tell you, this book did not disappoint. Holding Her Breath was interesting from the beginning. When the main characters in the book originally meet it seems that their potential is zero to none based off of the circumstances alone. However, as the book progressed I personally became a fan of Whitney and her need to play it safe, while also being a fan of Chace and his plight to make Whitney understand his position. In addition, the way the author took time in developing the love story between the two without immediate complications of sex was a refreshing contrast from most contemporary/multicultural romance novels.
Another positive in this novel is the subtlety of the cultural difference between the two characters. I was a good way into the book before I even noted their differences because it was a non issue and Whitney was not the stereotypical female lead in a multicultural romance (YAY for showing diversity within the African American family unit!). This is definitely a welcomed change from other multicultural romances that mostly focus on the hurdles a relationship faces when cultural differences are an issue.
Holding Her Breath was an entertaining, enjoyable read. I purchased the book the morning of 07/02/2011 and finished the book 07/03/2011 around the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend and I am sure that I will re-read this book every couple months as I do Nicole's other books.
**Happy Reading**
September 9, 2011
I liked the general plot of the book, but I felt like the writing was sub-par. Not that it was atrocious or anything, but I felt like this was a book that still had a few revisions to go through. The pace of the relationship also seemed off to me. It wasn't slow, but it also wasn't fast, yet in away, it was both... at the same time... I don't know. It was a little strange. My other totally random peeve is that, because I'm really visual when I read, I like good description of characters. Chace, got it. Whitney, not so much. In fact, I had no idea she was African American until the last third of the book. Great, now I have to go reread it so I can envision it correctly. Fail. Also, the only characters who I felt really got rounded out where Chace and Whitney. Even at that, I felt they could have been stronger. I know this may sound like a really didn't like it, but that's not the case. I enjoyed it and it was a nice light read for nigh midnight, but it isn't one I'll be dying to reread or anything.
Just okay.
Just okay.
November 7, 2012
Is there such a thing is 'love at first sight'? That is the question Whitney Jones & Chace Murphy have to decide the answer to. Chace & Whitney meet on Christmas in River Run, VA. Chace has just been dumped (on Christmas Eve) by his live-in girlfriend that has been cheating on him for the 2 years they have been a couple. Needless to say, Chace feels blindsided by the confession of his girlfriend Kelly and decides to go on a 'bender'. Drunk as a skunk he literally bumps into Whitney at the 7-11, (they have a moment). Whitney feels an instant attraction but she is a drive attorney vyeing for partner at a prestigous DC law firm. She does not have time for a relationship at this time. This story follows them from their first meeting through their frienship and into their budding relationship. I enjoyed the story's view of relationships and interactions between family and friends.
February 20, 2015
3.00 stars. The opening of this story had me wondering how the author was going to get these two individuals together. What she did was unique and unexpected: Chase Murphy and his live in girlfriend get into an argument and she leaves. He decides to go out for a drink. Simultaneously , Whitney Jones, who is visiting for the Holidays, is sent to 7-11 to get a gift for an unexpected guest and their paths cross outside the store. Whitney and her cousin take a drunk Chase home and their attraction continues to love from there. I would like to have read more about Chase and Whitney, but much of the unfolding of their love story got lost in the tedious narrative detailing the failed and strange relationships between her mother and her mother's ex-men.
Want to read
June 20, 2011Ok so haven't read it yet, but have to read it cause of the heroine's name.
September 27, 2011
I absolutely loved this book! I mean I had half a book to go last night and as I got into it, I just couldn't put it down! I had to know what happened. I wanted to see how it would end.
April 24, 2012
respectful good
Currently reading
October 3, 2012Miss Green in spite of the waste of time that 'Love Out of Order was, i am willing to give Holding Her Breath a chance.. so here goes nothing
October 12, 2012
This was really a good book the problems in this book were realistic even if its about love or life. You can probably learn a little something from it. I would definitely recommended to anyone.
October 5, 2012
Lovely and romantic love story, beautiful protagonists, nice plot .Nothing too sweet but interesting interplay between characters and situations. I liked read this book ,one enjoy reading .
June 29, 2017
Very good interracial love book. Took a while to get to the romantic parts, but it was worth it in the end.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews