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Every Life #1
Every Breath
**Contains mild language, adult situations, and sexual content. Mature audiences only.**
How does someone give their heart away when they don’t have all of the pieces?
Not that Makenna really wants a second chance at love anyway. She is stuck in her tragic past, secretly living every day for her deceased fiancé, while her new boyfriend, Drew, is gently nudging her into the present.
Desperate to appear normal again, she slaps on a happy face and goes through the motions of a normal, healthy relationship—but with the exception of even a single kiss. And she’s okay with pretending, but Drew needs more than she’s willing to give.
Surprisingly, it’s an innocent letter from a soldier halfway around the world that has her seeing life differently. Sawyer is at his breaking point, and his depression sucks him in deeper every day. Makenna becomes his only lifeline to home, and he’s hanging on by a very weak thread.
By helping him, Makenna learns to let go of grief before she’s left with only a ghost of the woman she once was, finally freeing her from guilt and showing her that it is possible to love again. But when she discovers that both of the men in her life are hiding something, she makes two shocking revelations.
One of them is insanely in love with her, and one of them destroyed her happy ever after.
Even though a fairytale ending does await her, is she willing to face her own demons to fight for it?
**DOES CONTAIN MILD LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL CONTENT.**
How does someone give their heart away when they don’t have all of the pieces?
Not that Makenna really wants a second chance at love anyway. She is stuck in her tragic past, secretly living every day for her deceased fiancé, while her new boyfriend, Drew, is gently nudging her into the present.
Desperate to appear normal again, she slaps on a happy face and goes through the motions of a normal, healthy relationship—but with the exception of even a single kiss. And she’s okay with pretending, but Drew needs more than she’s willing to give.
Surprisingly, it’s an innocent letter from a soldier halfway around the world that has her seeing life differently. Sawyer is at his breaking point, and his depression sucks him in deeper every day. Makenna becomes his only lifeline to home, and he’s hanging on by a very weak thread.
By helping him, Makenna learns to let go of grief before she’s left with only a ghost of the woman she once was, finally freeing her from guilt and showing her that it is possible to love again. But when she discovers that both of the men in her life are hiding something, she makes two shocking revelations.
One of them is insanely in love with her, and one of them destroyed her happy ever after.
Even though a fairytale ending does await her, is she willing to face her own demons to fight for it?
**DOES CONTAIN MILD LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL CONTENT.**
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2013
24 people are currently reading
2338 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Ivey
5 books195 followersTasha Ivey is a literature fanatic, whose love for the written word fostered her development into the writer she has become. A lover of an extremely erratic mixture of literature, she has been influenced by authors from Jane Austen and E.M. Forster to Charlaine Harris and Alyson Noel. But her biggest influence and literary hero? Nicholas Sparks. Aside from writing, since she doesn't have anything other than a shriveled up prune on the left side of her brain, she prefers to spend her time being creative in other ways like painting, cake decorating, and various types of crafts. That is, if the constant voices streaming through her head allow her to stop making up stories for a while. Lucky for her, she has a huge supportive family, including her amazing husband and two kids, who doesn't complain too much when she hangs out with her characters more than she does with them. Sophie, the dog, however . . . she does complain. A lot.
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July 28, 2013
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“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you.”
Makenna is a elementary school teacher who is not truly dealing with losing her fiancé in a car accident two years ago. Makenna is living but not really living a life. Aside from her best friend she does not socialize and is a shell of the person she once was. She had her entire life planned out with her first love and now he is gone.
Every Breath is in entirely in the point-of-view of Makenna. Two years has gone by since the accident that took her fiancé’s life and almost hers too. With the help of her crazy, fun best friend Makenna begins to date Drew, the new football coach who used to play in the NFL. He is sweet, patient, and hot! Makenna begins a very slow relationship with Drew, it feels almost like he is more her friend then a boyfriend. She can’t bring herself to kiss him or open up to him about her fiancé but doesn’t want to let him go either because she feels like she must move on.
Makenna’s class adopts a US solider for her second grade class and the students write letters to their soldier, Sawyer who is stationed in the Middle East. Sawyer & Makenna begin to email each other and soon video chat. Makenna finds herself opening up to Sawyer with everything and her feelings become conflicted between Drew & Sawyer.
Sawyer is just as broken as Makenna for different reasons. He is not only good looking but kind and compassionate. The two instantly click as friends but they are very flirtatious. Sawyer is Makenna’s saving grace. He brings her back to life even though he is thousands of miles away from her fighting a way. Makenna needs Sawyer as much as he needs her.
As they become closer the real Drew surfaces and he isn’t as perfect as Makenna once thought he was. Sawyer is there to help her but there is so much going on between these two. Makenna goes back and forth from wanting more to feeling guilty as if she is cheating on her dead fiance’. I found Sawyer’s character to be very deep, he has so much more story to tell I feel. He had a very dark life until Makenna shined light into it.
I really enjoyed the story of Makenna & Sawyer. It was depressing and sad in the beginning but I love their correspondence in email and video chat. It was fun to read of their conversations, it was one of my favorite things about the book. Sawyer is totally swoon worthy ladies. He is amazing and loving.
I love that there was build up between the relationship of Makenna & Sawyer and Makenna & Drew. It felt more realistic then her diving into her first relationship since losing her fiancé. Also as for Drew’s storyline, at first I didn’t like the dramatically different change in Drew but after thinking about it, it made sense and I love Sawyer was there to save the day in all his yumminess!
I really enjoyed the story and writing style Ms. Ivey. I love emotional reads that are sad… happy ending or not. I love a good cry.
I give Every Breath 4 Stars.
ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.
“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you.”
Makenna is a elementary school teacher who is not truly dealing with losing her fiancé in a car accident two years ago. Makenna is living but not really living a life. Aside from her best friend she does not socialize and is a shell of the person she once was. She had her entire life planned out with her first love and now he is gone.
Every Breath is in entirely in the point-of-view of Makenna. Two years has gone by since the accident that took her fiancé’s life and almost hers too. With the help of her crazy, fun best friend Makenna begins to date Drew, the new football coach who used to play in the NFL. He is sweet, patient, and hot! Makenna begins a very slow relationship with Drew, it feels almost like he is more her friend then a boyfriend. She can’t bring herself to kiss him or open up to him about her fiancé but doesn’t want to let him go either because she feels like she must move on.
Makenna’s class adopts a US solider for her second grade class and the students write letters to their soldier, Sawyer who is stationed in the Middle East. Sawyer & Makenna begin to email each other and soon video chat. Makenna finds herself opening up to Sawyer with everything and her feelings become conflicted between Drew & Sawyer.
Sawyer is just as broken as Makenna for different reasons. He is not only good looking but kind and compassionate. The two instantly click as friends but they are very flirtatious. Sawyer is Makenna’s saving grace. He brings her back to life even though he is thousands of miles away from her fighting a way. Makenna needs Sawyer as much as he needs her.
As they become closer the real Drew surfaces and he isn’t as perfect as Makenna once thought he was. Sawyer is there to help her but there is so much going on between these two. Makenna goes back and forth from wanting more to feeling guilty as if she is cheating on her dead fiance’. I found Sawyer’s character to be very deep, he has so much more story to tell I feel. He had a very dark life until Makenna shined light into it.
I really enjoyed the story of Makenna & Sawyer. It was depressing and sad in the beginning but I love their correspondence in email and video chat. It was fun to read of their conversations, it was one of my favorite things about the book. Sawyer is totally swoon worthy ladies. He is amazing and loving.
I love that there was build up between the relationship of Makenna & Sawyer and Makenna & Drew. It felt more realistic then her diving into her first relationship since losing her fiancé. Also as for Drew’s storyline, at first I didn’t like the dramatically different change in Drew but after thinking about it, it made sense and I love Sawyer was there to save the day in all his yumminess!
I really enjoyed the story and writing style Ms. Ivey. I love emotional reads that are sad… happy ending or not. I love a good cry.
I give Every Breath 4 Stars.
ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.
July 28, 2013
5 +++++ Amazing Brilliantly Stars !!!!!
Tasha knows how to write a story and pull you in right from the beginning. It definitely kept me wanting to read and turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.
This story has, Tragedy, it has a little suspense, compassion and a whole lot of love. I loved the characters, I loved the kids in Makenna’s class, William Man oh man was he a hoot !!!!!!
Makenna, thought she had it all and in one night her entire happily ever after was gone. For the last 2 years she has been living her life and going through the motions in a shell of herself. She has closed off everyone around her from her true feelings about the tragic night that took everything she had away from her.
Makenna, I loved her, she is a strong character, she was dealt with the tragic death of her fiancé and she could not move forward from it. Every breath she takes she is taking for Shane trying to keep him alive inside her. She needs to finally repair the scar on her heart and let Shane go and move on. She needs to finally be able to open up and talk about Shane and that night .
Through her best friend Callie, Makenna decides to start dating Coach Drew. She figures maybe if she tries what her Best friend wants things will work out and she will be able to move on from Shane. As the story progress’ we discover that Drew is hiding something major. And Makenna just is not feeling it at all with him.
Drew, Coach at the high school, I tried to love him in the beginning but honestly my gut told me he was not the one for her. His actions and how things played out I knew he was not going to be the happily ever after she needed. So yeahh Drew don’t get to attached to him.
When her best friend Callie decides she has had enough she shuts her out and tells her she needs to get herself together and bring back her best friend that she had 2 yrs ago.
Makenna starts a friendship with Sawyer the soldier her class has sent cards and letters to. They video chat, and email for weeks, getting to know each other and talking about everything under the sun.
Sawyer, Hot, Sweet, sexy Military man, what more do I need to say . From the first introduction of him in the book I loved him. He was so compassionate, caring, and truly understood where Makenna was coming from in the tragedy department. Sawyer has a secret himself, Will it cause a major problem for Makenna or will she be able to work through it?
This does have an HEA . There will be more from the characters in this book and I can not wait for their stories to unfold.
I loved the way That Tasha brought Sawyer and Makenna closer together, What started out as friendship turned into love, Tasha did a fabulous job writing the storyline for these 2 people .
definitely add it to your TBR list!!! Every Breath is scheduled for release on August 6th
Tasha knows how to write a story and pull you in right from the beginning. It definitely kept me wanting to read and turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.
This story has, Tragedy, it has a little suspense, compassion and a whole lot of love. I loved the characters, I loved the kids in Makenna’s class, William Man oh man was he a hoot !!!!!!
Makenna, thought she had it all and in one night her entire happily ever after was gone. For the last 2 years she has been living her life and going through the motions in a shell of herself. She has closed off everyone around her from her true feelings about the tragic night that took everything she had away from her.
Makenna, I loved her, she is a strong character, she was dealt with the tragic death of her fiancé and she could not move forward from it. Every breath she takes she is taking for Shane trying to keep him alive inside her. She needs to finally repair the scar on her heart and let Shane go and move on. She needs to finally be able to open up and talk about Shane and that night .
Through her best friend Callie, Makenna decides to start dating Coach Drew. She figures maybe if she tries what her Best friend wants things will work out and she will be able to move on from Shane. As the story progress’ we discover that Drew is hiding something major. And Makenna just is not feeling it at all with him.
Drew, Coach at the high school, I tried to love him in the beginning but honestly my gut told me he was not the one for her. His actions and how things played out I knew he was not going to be the happily ever after she needed. So yeahh Drew don’t get to attached to him.
When her best friend Callie decides she has had enough she shuts her out and tells her she needs to get herself together and bring back her best friend that she had 2 yrs ago.
Makenna starts a friendship with Sawyer the soldier her class has sent cards and letters to. They video chat, and email for weeks, getting to know each other and talking about everything under the sun.
Sawyer, Hot, Sweet, sexy Military man, what more do I need to say . From the first introduction of him in the book I loved him. He was so compassionate, caring, and truly understood where Makenna was coming from in the tragedy department. Sawyer has a secret himself, Will it cause a major problem for Makenna or will she be able to work through it?
This does have an HEA . There will be more from the characters in this book and I can not wait for their stories to unfold.
I loved the way That Tasha brought Sawyer and Makenna closer together, What started out as friendship turned into love, Tasha did a fabulous job writing the storyline for these 2 people .
definitely add it to your TBR list!!! Every Breath is scheduled for release on August 6th
July 29, 2013
***** 5 Addicting Stars!!!! Truly an amazing book!
-Ashley Christin, Blogger at Fiction's Our Addiction
LIKE Fiction's Our Addiction on Facebook!
Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won’t heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else. The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job.
WOW, ummmm I don’t even know how to start this….
WOW.
I have been put through so much during this book! I felt sooo much emotion with Every Breath, from laughing at Callie and MaKenna’s friendship to having my heart ripped out by MaKenna’s struggle. I fell deep into the world that Tasha created, she takes you through a heart breaking story of a lost love, but don’t worry there is a HEA
MaKenna is struggling over the loss of her fiancé and has not been able to be her normal self because of it. Her friends and family try to stick by her and help her a long, Callie her BFF decides to try to push her to date the high school football coach, Drew. Drew is handsome and sweet and MaKenna tries so hard to MAKE herself feel something for him, but it just is not there. MaKenna is an elementary teacher and every year around Christmas her class sends letters to soldiers, this year one of the soldiers ends up being more than just a blank face overseas.
Sawyer has his own past he is struggling with and MaKenna is just the person to help him take his mind off what he is dealing with. Sawyer and MaKenna’s friendship grows throughout their late night chats and emails but, that is just the beginning…
I really do not want to give away too much about this amazing book! Early Release date of August 4th you won’t want to miss this one!
-Ashley Christin, Blogger at Fiction's Our Addiction
LIKE Fiction's Our Addiction on Facebook!
August 4, 2013
And the award for most improved writer goes to ....Tasha Ivey
Well what a difference a book makes. After reading Destiny Ever-Changing going into Every Breath I hate to say it but I wasn’t expecting too much. But man an awesome surprise was waiting for me within these pages. Tasha has proven to be the type of person that can grow, take on constructive criticism and get better and better.
Synopsis
How does someone give their heart away when they don’t have all of the pieces?
Not that Makenna really wants a second chance at love anyway. She is stuck in her tragic past, secretly living every day for her deceased fiancé, while her new boyfriend, Drew, is gently nudging her into the present.
Desperate to appear normal again, she slaps on a happy face and goes through the motions of a normal, healthy relationship—but with the exception of even a single kiss. And she’s okay with pretending, but Drew needs more than she’s willing to give.
Surprisingly, it’s an innocent letter from a soldier halfway around the world that has her seeing life differently. Sawyer is at his breaking point, and his depression sucks him in deeper every day. Makennas becomes his only lifeline to home, and he’s hanging on by a very weak thread.
By helping him, Makenna learns to let go of grief before she’s left with only a ghost of the woman she once was, finally freeing her from guilt and showing her that it is possible to love again. But when she discovers that both of the men in her life are hiding something, she makes two shocking revelations.
One of them is insanely in love with her, and one of them destroyed her happy ever after.
Even though a fairytale ending does await her, is she willing to face her own demons to fight for it?
What I thought
The writing in this book was sensational, I just love Tasha Ivey's style, I was sucked in so completely from the very first page and didn’t put the book down till I think it was about 2 in the morning. I just absorbed it. I felt really connected to the characters, and instantly loved them!! I really liked the supporting cast, too often they are just there for no real purpose at all, but each and every one of them had a role to play and I really want to know more about Doctor Dalton!!!
This was a rather emotional book in parts the only one flaw I had with it was the timing I felt 18 months was a little rushed for her friends to be getting on her case, but that was more my issue that anything else. I really feel Makennas thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions were so well done, I felt what she felt and really sympathized with her. And Sawyer…Swoon!!
There is also a couple of twists that I honestly didn’t see one of them coming, and well not to toot my own horn or anything but I am rather good at seeing twist coming, so kudos to you Tasha!!
I now eagerly await the next book in this series, yes it is now a series …Yay but any book she writes!!
Well what a difference a book makes. After reading Destiny Ever-Changing going into Every Breath I hate to say it but I wasn’t expecting too much. But man an awesome surprise was waiting for me within these pages. Tasha has proven to be the type of person that can grow, take on constructive criticism and get better and better.
Synopsis
How does someone give their heart away when they don’t have all of the pieces?
Not that Makenna really wants a second chance at love anyway. She is stuck in her tragic past, secretly living every day for her deceased fiancé, while her new boyfriend, Drew, is gently nudging her into the present.
Desperate to appear normal again, she slaps on a happy face and goes through the motions of a normal, healthy relationship—but with the exception of even a single kiss. And she’s okay with pretending, but Drew needs more than she’s willing to give.
Surprisingly, it’s an innocent letter from a soldier halfway around the world that has her seeing life differently. Sawyer is at his breaking point, and his depression sucks him in deeper every day. Makennas becomes his only lifeline to home, and he’s hanging on by a very weak thread.
By helping him, Makenna learns to let go of grief before she’s left with only a ghost of the woman she once was, finally freeing her from guilt and showing her that it is possible to love again. But when she discovers that both of the men in her life are hiding something, she makes two shocking revelations.
One of them is insanely in love with her, and one of them destroyed her happy ever after.
Even though a fairytale ending does await her, is she willing to face her own demons to fight for it?
What I thought
The writing in this book was sensational, I just love Tasha Ivey's style, I was sucked in so completely from the very first page and didn’t put the book down till I think it was about 2 in the morning. I just absorbed it. I felt really connected to the characters, and instantly loved them!! I really liked the supporting cast, too often they are just there for no real purpose at all, but each and every one of them had a role to play and I really want to know more about Doctor Dalton!!!
This was a rather emotional book in parts the only one flaw I had with it was the timing I felt 18 months was a little rushed for her friends to be getting on her case, but that was more my issue that anything else. I really feel Makennas thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions were so well done, I felt what she felt and really sympathized with her. And Sawyer…Swoon!!
There is also a couple of twists that I honestly didn’t see one of them coming, and well not to toot my own horn or anything but I am rather good at seeing twist coming, so kudos to you Tasha!!
I now eagerly await the next book in this series, yes it is now a series …Yay but any book she writes!!
May 13, 2015
Every now and then, I stumble onto a story *seemingly* by accident…
And then that story is completely and utterly mind-blowing…
And then I ask myself questions like…
“HOW HAS NOBODY RECOMMENDED THIS TO ME BEFORE?” and “HAVE I BEEN LIVING UNDER A FREAKIN’ ROCK?”
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, here's how I came to discover Every Breath:
Tasha Ivey is listed as one of the authors who will at an upcoming author event/book signing that I'll be attending as a reader/fan/blogger. My goal is to systematically read as many of the participating authors as possible, in no particular order.
When I looked up Tasha Ivey on Goodreads, I found the blurb for Every Breath. I wanted something sweet, maybe a little suspenseful, but not terribly angsty. It came down to two books: this one and another by a different author.
So then I did the first-page test. (You know, where you read the first couple pages of a book to see whether it grabs you or not?) Well, this one passed the first-page test and then some.
The writing style absolutely blew me away and is what ultimately sold me on this read. In a word, it’s phenomenal. All dictated from the heroine’s point of view (except for a small part of the epilogue), the manner of narration is engaging, witty, and conversational. At times I felt as if Makenna was telling me her story personally. Like the two of us were sharing a heart-to-heart (at a coffee shop, perhaps?) during which she untabled her problems and concerns.
Another thing I enjoyed about this novel is how unpredictable it was. Sometimes romantic fiction can be the opposite. And, let’s face it, sometimes that’s what we want from romance, isn’t it? Nevertheless, this one surprised me. And then surprised me again. So many things about it I just didn’t see coming.
The characters are well developed, and no plot holes exist that I’m aware of. I thought Callie (a secondary character) was hilarious, and I have an immense amount of respect for both Sawyer and Makenna. The former is a hero for serving in Afghanistan, and the latter is a saint for teaching second graders (with an insane amount of patience, I might add) even after surviving her own personal tragedy.
Every Breath is a good mix of both heavy and light subject matter. While some serious topics surface and are subsequently addressed, the novel isn’t entirely given over to a somber tone. Many, many funny and sweet parts balance out the tenser moments.
All in all, I recommend this one highly! From the storyline to the characters to the writing, Every Breath is a gem, and I’m really thankful to have stumbled upon it.
And then that story is completely and utterly mind-blowing…
And then I ask myself questions like…
“HOW HAS NOBODY RECOMMENDED THIS TO ME BEFORE?” and “HAVE I BEEN LIVING UNDER A FREAKIN’ ROCK?”
Now that I've gotten that out of my system, here's how I came to discover Every Breath:
Tasha Ivey is listed as one of the authors who will at an upcoming author event/book signing that I'll be attending as a reader/fan/blogger. My goal is to systematically read as many of the participating authors as possible, in no particular order.
When I looked up Tasha Ivey on Goodreads, I found the blurb for Every Breath. I wanted something sweet, maybe a little suspenseful, but not terribly angsty. It came down to two books: this one and another by a different author.
So then I did the first-page test. (You know, where you read the first couple pages of a book to see whether it grabs you or not?) Well, this one passed the first-page test and then some.
The writing style absolutely blew me away and is what ultimately sold me on this read. In a word, it’s phenomenal. All dictated from the heroine’s point of view (except for a small part of the epilogue), the manner of narration is engaging, witty, and conversational. At times I felt as if Makenna was telling me her story personally. Like the two of us were sharing a heart-to-heart (at a coffee shop, perhaps?) during which she untabled her problems and concerns.
Another thing I enjoyed about this novel is how unpredictable it was. Sometimes romantic fiction can be the opposite. And, let’s face it, sometimes that’s what we want from romance, isn’t it? Nevertheless, this one surprised me. And then surprised me again. So many things about it I just didn’t see coming.
The characters are well developed, and no plot holes exist that I’m aware of. I thought Callie (a secondary character) was hilarious, and I have an immense amount of respect for both Sawyer and Makenna. The former is a hero for serving in Afghanistan, and the latter is a saint for teaching second graders (with an insane amount of patience, I might add) even after surviving her own personal tragedy.
Every Breath is a good mix of both heavy and light subject matter. While some serious topics surface and are subsequently addressed, the novel isn’t entirely given over to a somber tone. Many, many funny and sweet parts balance out the tenser moments.
All in all, I recommend this one highly! From the storyline to the characters to the writing, Every Breath is a gem, and I’m really thankful to have stumbled upon it.
August 14, 2013
This started out as an appealing reader, but then half way through I felt like I was in the the Twilight Zone. Makenna is a second grade school teacher who lost Shane, the love of her life in a horrible car accident two years ago. Her best friend forces her to accept the attentions of the hot high school football coach, Drew, who seems too perfect for words. Makenna thinks Drew is nice, but there's no spark there. Drew goes out of his way to be a gentleman and courts her, but Makenna still can't connect with him. She is more than willing to connect with Sawyer, who she has late night video chats with. Slowly Drew's personality changes, and he becomes too smothering and possessive. And then Sawyer pops up in Makenna's home town around the holidays, which pleases her, especially since Drew has turn psychotic.
More than half way through I started rolling my eyes. Drew's personality change is a total 180, and for no reason he becomes this crazed, drug popping stalker, obsessed with Makenna. I really think Tasha missed the boat on this one. She does make a good case why Makenna falls for Sawyer, but not for Drew. Why make Drew a monster in order to push Makenna into Sawyer's arms?
The ending is straight out of Sleeping with the Enemy and just seems too cliche or forced.
Unfortunately a disappointing read that gets a big pass from me.
More than half way through I started rolling my eyes. Drew's personality change is a total 180, and for no reason he becomes this crazed, drug popping stalker, obsessed with Makenna. I really think Tasha missed the boat on this one. She does make a good case why Makenna falls for Sawyer, but not for Drew. Why make Drew a monster in order to push Makenna into Sawyer's arms?
The ending is straight out of Sleeping with the Enemy and just seems too cliche or forced.
Unfortunately a disappointing read that gets a big pass from me.
August 7, 2013
5 breathtaking stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this amazing story! Sawyer was wonderful! I felt every little feeling in this book. I could have gone for a little more of a steam factor, but honestly the book was that good, that I really don't care.
The ending to this story was perfect! I loved the epilogue, one of the best I have ever read! I have chills from how this ended, I guess that's how you know it's a good book!
I took a chance on this book with hardly any reviews, and wow I got lucky!
I loved this amazing story! Sawyer was wonderful! I felt every little feeling in this book. I could have gone for a little more of a steam factor, but honestly the book was that good, that I really don't care.
The ending to this story was perfect! I loved the epilogue, one of the best I have ever read! I have chills from how this ended, I guess that's how you know it's a good book!
I took a chance on this book with hardly any reviews, and wow I got lucky!
March 2, 2019
Sweet
I loved the emails back and forth and how sweet it flowed. I had a hard time enjoying Mak. The girl just had no backbone and seems a little too blind for me but she was sweet. I loved sawyer he was sweet and protective and possessive without being OTT. But this book lacked for me was a real heat factor...I'll admit it...I like my smut with my sweet lol and this just fell flat for me
2019 re read
I still get sucked in by there emails and I love the characters. Still wish it had more heat but totally love it
I loved the emails back and forth and how sweet it flowed. I had a hard time enjoying Mak. The girl just had no backbone and seems a little too blind for me but she was sweet. I loved sawyer he was sweet and protective and possessive without being OTT. But this book lacked for me was a real heat factor...I'll admit it...I like my smut with my sweet lol and this just fell flat for me
2019 re read
I still get sucked in by there emails and I love the characters. Still wish it had more heat but totally love it
September 15, 2014
3.5 stars.
Cute little read. Unrealistic at times, but it was light and sweet...just what I needed after the angst-filled book I just finished. The heroine really bugged the heck out of me though-she was shady and immature about how she handled the two guys.
Cute little read. Unrealistic at times, but it was light and sweet...just what I needed after the angst-filled book I just finished. The heroine really bugged the heck out of me though-she was shady and immature about how she handled the two guys.
April 4, 2018
A sweet and sometimes sad story that hit me in the feels. It could’ve used a little more heat and a little less melodrama but overall a decent read. Trigger warnings: death, attempted rape and physical violence issues pop up - avoid if these are tough for you to handle...
August 2, 2013
I am still in a state of euphoric bliss from how fantastic this novel was. I feel it is impossible to properly express how much I loved this book and do it justice but I am going to try.
“The scar on my heart won’t ever heal because I won’t let it.”
Every Breath should have an enormous neon sign above it blinking, “I AM AMAZING!” I am completely shocked by the emotional and physical reaction I had to this book. My heart was racing, butterflies were swarming, I was blushing… and I CRIED! I rarely cry so that is really saying something. This was an extremely powerful journey I would love to take again and again.
“I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don’t know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together.”
Makenna Madison is a glorious character. Even though she is struggling with grief and emotional pain throughout most of the novel, Makenna is a shining star. There is so much turmoil and conflict she deals with yet manages to plaster on a happy face every day. After Shane, her fiancé, died she has been wandering through life in a fog unable to escape. Sadly, she doesn’t want to burden anyone with her troubles she has bottles them up deep within. I appreciated that Makenna’s struggle with life was realistic and very plausible. It was easy to image her story as being real and I believe that is why I was so strongly affected.
“Don’t be embarrassed, and don’t be afraid of me. Ever. God knows, I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment I saw you bite your lip when we met a year ago, but it won’t happen until I know you’re ready.”
Makenna meets Drew Pierce at the school district they work in. He is the first man since Shane that she considers going on a date with. Drew is charming and handsome plus he appears to genuinely care about Makenna. He takes time getting to know her and surprises her with all sorts of cute sentiments. Drew definitely adds a lot of suspense and mystery as well. They spend a lot of time together but is Drew the right man to help Makenna find the light again?
“I really needed to hear your voice. I don’t tell you enough what it means to me.”
Completely lost in the moment, I want to open my eyes, desperate to see that dark amber honey again to know that I’ve found my way back into that dream.
Sawyer Harris stole my heart. He is everything you could ever want. Sawyer is a deployed soldier that Makenna’s second grade class writes letters to. After she receives his response, they begin communicating frequently. Even over the internet, Makenna feels an instant spark with Sawyer. She feels at ease with him and begins imaging what might be. I could feel her joy and excitement when she was talking or thinking about Sawyer. I treasured their special bond and it was executed to perfection. The way their relationship was conveyed was magnificent. Can Sawyer and Makenna help each other heal from the past and find peace for the future?
“Every single day, I like you a little bit more. Every day, I think about what my life could be like down the road with you in it. For the first time, I’m looking past today. I’m actually considering the fact that there’s a tomorrow for me. Maybe even a happy one. It’s having hope for a better life that scares me the most.”
Did I mention Sawyer calls Makenna darlin’? SWOON!
This emotionally story left me breathless and happy. The ending is incredible and brings everything together beautifully. I had a wonderful book hangover because I was so content. Tasha Ivey spent a lot of time sending details and teasers for Every Breath so I was really looking forward to reading it. My expectations were blown to smithereens and it was so much better than I could have imagined. I loved everything about this novel! The writing, the characters, the concept… everything was simply splendid!
“It’s kind of poetic, right? You falling for the man who saved your life. It’s like it came full circle; maybe it was supposed to happen this way.”
Extremely well done Tasha! You are extraordinary!
5+ Diamonds
“The scar on my heart won’t ever heal because I won’t let it.”
Every Breath should have an enormous neon sign above it blinking, “I AM AMAZING!” I am completely shocked by the emotional and physical reaction I had to this book. My heart was racing, butterflies were swarming, I was blushing… and I CRIED! I rarely cry so that is really saying something. This was an extremely powerful journey I would love to take again and again.
“I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don’t know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together.”
Makenna Madison is a glorious character. Even though she is struggling with grief and emotional pain throughout most of the novel, Makenna is a shining star. There is so much turmoil and conflict she deals with yet manages to plaster on a happy face every day. After Shane, her fiancé, died she has been wandering through life in a fog unable to escape. Sadly, she doesn’t want to burden anyone with her troubles she has bottles them up deep within. I appreciated that Makenna’s struggle with life was realistic and very plausible. It was easy to image her story as being real and I believe that is why I was so strongly affected.
“Don’t be embarrassed, and don’t be afraid of me. Ever. God knows, I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment I saw you bite your lip when we met a year ago, but it won’t happen until I know you’re ready.”
Makenna meets Drew Pierce at the school district they work in. He is the first man since Shane that she considers going on a date with. Drew is charming and handsome plus he appears to genuinely care about Makenna. He takes time getting to know her and surprises her with all sorts of cute sentiments. Drew definitely adds a lot of suspense and mystery as well. They spend a lot of time together but is Drew the right man to help Makenna find the light again?
“I really needed to hear your voice. I don’t tell you enough what it means to me.”
Completely lost in the moment, I want to open my eyes, desperate to see that dark amber honey again to know that I’ve found my way back into that dream.
Sawyer Harris stole my heart. He is everything you could ever want. Sawyer is a deployed soldier that Makenna’s second grade class writes letters to. After she receives his response, they begin communicating frequently. Even over the internet, Makenna feels an instant spark with Sawyer. She feels at ease with him and begins imaging what might be. I could feel her joy and excitement when she was talking or thinking about Sawyer. I treasured their special bond and it was executed to perfection. The way their relationship was conveyed was magnificent. Can Sawyer and Makenna help each other heal from the past and find peace for the future?
“Every single day, I like you a little bit more. Every day, I think about what my life could be like down the road with you in it. For the first time, I’m looking past today. I’m actually considering the fact that there’s a tomorrow for me. Maybe even a happy one. It’s having hope for a better life that scares me the most.”
Did I mention Sawyer calls Makenna darlin’? SWOON!
This emotionally story left me breathless and happy. The ending is incredible and brings everything together beautifully. I had a wonderful book hangover because I was so content. Tasha Ivey spent a lot of time sending details and teasers for Every Breath so I was really looking forward to reading it. My expectations were blown to smithereens and it was so much better than I could have imagined. I loved everything about this novel! The writing, the characters, the concept… everything was simply splendid!
“It’s kind of poetic, right? You falling for the man who saved your life. It’s like it came full circle; maybe it was supposed to happen this way.”
Extremely well done Tasha! You are extraordinary!
5+ Diamonds
August 5, 2013
5 EMOTIONAL stars!!!
“My relationship with Shane was pure and innocent and perfect. But with Sawyer, it’s all that, plus something that I can’t quite verbalize. I didn’t find what I had with Shane. I found much more.”
I will start this review off by saying I could never do this story justice with my review so PLEASE read it no matter what!!!
I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh and cry at the same time. I am talking, tears in my eyes and chuckling to myself. Every Breath tested me!! I don’t normally cry for books…teary eyed maybe but hardly ever do those tears fall. Yeah, I know, I’m weird!! But, MaKenna Madison’s story got to me. I was sad. I was happy. I was laughing. I was mad. Do you get the point?? It was an emotional roller coaster that had me up until 1am the night before a microbiology test. Yes, that’s how bad I needed to know what was happening next!
MaKenna is tough. She might not know it but she is. I mean, seriously, she loses her fiancé(Shane), dates a psycho(Drew), and then learns that her boyfriend(Sawyer) made a decision that changed her life forever. Every damn time I thought HEA was getting close, something else happened to this poor chick. There are so many things happening all at the same time. I felt like I couldn’t even come back up from an emotional low before I was thrown back into another state of sadness. If it wasn’t one thing, it was the next. How MaKenna didn’t end up sitting in a corner, with her arms around her legs, rocking and humming to herself, I have no idea. I need to be checked into the psych ward just from reading it! LOL
So, every story(or at least most of them) have that one guy that is swoon worthy and oh so damn dreamy, and Sawyer is that guy this time. But, damn, I needed to see a pic of this hunky man in his military uniform. He sounds so hot, or at least hot in the picture in my head. But more than hot, Sawyer is all around AMAZING. Like MaKenna, he is also broken and has many a skeleton in his closet but that doesn’t even take away from his amazingness….it makes him even better. Responsible, compassionate, trustworthy, and sensitive are just a few of the words I use to describe him. Short version is, he is perfect for our poor broken MaKenna.
“I touch my lips and smile like a teenage girl. I think this is the part where I’m supposed to call all of my friends, dance in front of my mirror, and write all about it in my Lisa Frank diary.”
I love the sweetness of how their relationship grows. It’s true that a kiss can tell a lot about your feelings for a person and this story proves it! I swear I could go on and on about this story. And I have to all my book friends, but I would not want to ruin even one paragraph of all the twists and turns of it. There was not one moment of this story that I didn’t enjoy. The only thing that pissed me off was that I couldn’t finish it in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down. I am SOOOOO in love with it and will be rereading it again in the future.
Read it! Love it! And then come back and tell me what you thought so I have someone else to talk to about it :) I won’t tire of it for a long while!
*ARC copy received from the author for an honest review*
“My relationship with Shane was pure and innocent and perfect. But with Sawyer, it’s all that, plus something that I can’t quite verbalize. I didn’t find what I had with Shane. I found much more.”
I will start this review off by saying I could never do this story justice with my review so PLEASE read it no matter what!!!
I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh and cry at the same time. I am talking, tears in my eyes and chuckling to myself. Every Breath tested me!! I don’t normally cry for books…teary eyed maybe but hardly ever do those tears fall. Yeah, I know, I’m weird!! But, MaKenna Madison’s story got to me. I was sad. I was happy. I was laughing. I was mad. Do you get the point?? It was an emotional roller coaster that had me up until 1am the night before a microbiology test. Yes, that’s how bad I needed to know what was happening next!
MaKenna is tough. She might not know it but she is. I mean, seriously, she loses her fiancé(Shane), dates a psycho(Drew), and then learns that her boyfriend(Sawyer) made a decision that changed her life forever. Every damn time I thought HEA was getting close, something else happened to this poor chick. There are so many things happening all at the same time. I felt like I couldn’t even come back up from an emotional low before I was thrown back into another state of sadness. If it wasn’t one thing, it was the next. How MaKenna didn’t end up sitting in a corner, with her arms around her legs, rocking and humming to herself, I have no idea. I need to be checked into the psych ward just from reading it! LOL
So, every story(or at least most of them) have that one guy that is swoon worthy and oh so damn dreamy, and Sawyer is that guy this time. But, damn, I needed to see a pic of this hunky man in his military uniform. He sounds so hot, or at least hot in the picture in my head. But more than hot, Sawyer is all around AMAZING. Like MaKenna, he is also broken and has many a skeleton in his closet but that doesn’t even take away from his amazingness….it makes him even better. Responsible, compassionate, trustworthy, and sensitive are just a few of the words I use to describe him. Short version is, he is perfect for our poor broken MaKenna.
“I touch my lips and smile like a teenage girl. I think this is the part where I’m supposed to call all of my friends, dance in front of my mirror, and write all about it in my Lisa Frank diary.”
I love the sweetness of how their relationship grows. It’s true that a kiss can tell a lot about your feelings for a person and this story proves it! I swear I could go on and on about this story. And I have to all my book friends, but I would not want to ruin even one paragraph of all the twists and turns of it. There was not one moment of this story that I didn’t enjoy. The only thing that pissed me off was that I couldn’t finish it in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down. I am SOOOOO in love with it and will be rereading it again in the future.
Read it! Love it! And then come back and tell me what you thought so I have someone else to talk to about it :) I won’t tire of it for a long while!
*ARC copy received from the author for an honest review*
September 7, 2013
Well, this book was gorgeous. Saying I went through a whirlwind of emotions would be the understatement of the century. I laughed, I cried (literally full on ugly cried), I swooned, I screamed internally... the list goes on.
I definitely didn't expect to love this as much as I did. It really had its funny, beautiful and heartbreaking moments. I know many people, myself included, don't particularly like "weak" female main characters. I guess that is how you would describe Makenna but she has reasons for this. She lost her fiancé and becomes really closed off from people. At the beginning of the book, her best friend basically pushes her towards dating this guy, Drew. She never really feels anything for Drew and a lot of crazy stuff happens between them. I will say no more.
Now, I'm going to talk about one of my favourite things about this book: Sawyer. He is the soldier that Makenna's class adopts and sends letters to, and I suppose a huge contributing factor to the "crazy stuff" that happens between Makenna and Drew. Makenna begins emailing Sawyer, they eventually start having video chats and they become pretty close. But yeah, Sawyer... you babe, what an amazing guy. I loved him from the start, he was always such a sweetheart and when I found out about his past I just wanted to hug him asdfghjkl. He's just a babe. Enough said. You'll definitely love him.
There are a lot of other great characters too, like William, oh he just cracks me up. Dalton, Callie, Wes and Darcy the cat all became close to my heart while I was reading this book. It was such an enjoyable read.
The next book in the series, Every Kiss will also be out soon, which is about Makenna's best friend Callie and her husband Wes.
Go read this book. Right. Now. You have to. It's an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least. It has a really heartwarming HEA so even after the ups and downs throughout the whole book, the ending is oh so beautiful. So go read this book, it's just sitting there, being all emotional, waiting to be read. You won't regret it!!
I definitely didn't expect to love this as much as I did. It really had its funny, beautiful and heartbreaking moments. I know many people, myself included, don't particularly like "weak" female main characters. I guess that is how you would describe Makenna but she has reasons for this. She lost her fiancé and becomes really closed off from people. At the beginning of the book, her best friend basically pushes her towards dating this guy, Drew. She never really feels anything for Drew and a lot of crazy stuff happens between them. I will say no more.
Now, I'm going to talk about one of my favourite things about this book: Sawyer. He is the soldier that Makenna's class adopts and sends letters to, and I suppose a huge contributing factor to the "crazy stuff" that happens between Makenna and Drew. Makenna begins emailing Sawyer, they eventually start having video chats and they become pretty close. But yeah, Sawyer... you babe, what an amazing guy. I loved him from the start, he was always such a sweetheart and when I found out about his past I just wanted to hug him asdfghjkl. He's just a babe. Enough said. You'll definitely love him.
There are a lot of other great characters too, like William, oh he just cracks me up. Dalton, Callie, Wes and Darcy the cat all became close to my heart while I was reading this book. It was such an enjoyable read.
The next book in the series, Every Kiss will also be out soon, which is about Makenna's best friend Callie and her husband Wes.
Go read this book. Right. Now. You have to. It's an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least. It has a really heartwarming HEA so even after the ups and downs throughout the whole book, the ending is oh so beautiful. So go read this book, it's just sitting there, being all emotional, waiting to be read. You won't regret it!!
August 14, 2013
"Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together"
This book was heart-wrenching and emotional, yet beautiful at the same time. Makenna lost the love if her life before they ever really had a chance to live. And she almost lost her life at the same time. For two years, she's been a shell of her former self. Faking happiness to hide the heartbreak from her family and friends. Her best friend, Callie, convinces her to try to move on. To start dating again. But it all goes wrong. Until fate brings Sawyer into her life. He helps her move on and open her heart to love again. Something she never though would be possible. But, obstacle after obstacle get in the way of their chance at a happy ever after.
This book was so well written. The story developed well and the characters were brilliantly written. Makenna and Sawyer, two very broken souls, were illustrated beautifully and Callie (Makenna's BFF) added some comic relief to an emotional story. Can't wait to read more from Tasha Ivey.
This book was heart-wrenching and emotional, yet beautiful at the same time. Makenna lost the love if her life before they ever really had a chance to live. And she almost lost her life at the same time. For two years, she's been a shell of her former self. Faking happiness to hide the heartbreak from her family and friends. Her best friend, Callie, convinces her to try to move on. To start dating again. But it all goes wrong. Until fate brings Sawyer into her life. He helps her move on and open her heart to love again. Something she never though would be possible. But, obstacle after obstacle get in the way of their chance at a happy ever after.
This book was so well written. The story developed well and the characters were brilliantly written. Makenna and Sawyer, two very broken souls, were illustrated beautifully and Callie (Makenna's BFF) added some comic relief to an emotional story. Can't wait to read more from Tasha Ivey.
October 4, 2013
All I can say is that Tasha Ivey is amazing. She grabs me and I hold on tight. Her character development is wonderfully woven with humor, heartache and love. Swoon worthy heroes and heroines that are strong and know how to hold their own? I have yet to be disappointed with her novels and can not wait for more to come. This author is a diamond in the rough and if you have not read one of her books you are missing out.
This is a HEA stand alone that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. Just when I thought the plot was going one way BAM - it took off on another track. This is the second novel by Tasha Ivey and I think she has grown by leaps and bounds from Destiny Ever-changing. Tasha's southern charm comes through in her characters and from this fellow southerner, it draws me into the story a little more."
This is a HEA stand alone that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. Just when I thought the plot was going one way BAM - it took off on another track. This is the second novel by Tasha Ivey and I think she has grown by leaps and bounds from Destiny Ever-changing. Tasha's southern charm comes through in her characters and from this fellow southerner, it draws me into the story a little more."
February 2, 2014
Loved, loved, loved it!! I was totally feeling Drew, felt sorry for him with makenna's reluctance to take things further. But OMG!!
Enter Sawyer Harris. Hot, sensitive and unbelievable! My new number 1 book boyfriend:) I need more of him!!
Enter Sawyer Harris. Hot, sensitive and unbelievable! My new number 1 book boyfriend:) I need more of him!!
October 18, 2013
Omgeeeee!!! I absolutely loved this book!!!
July 29, 2013
I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together.
Makenna is lost, broken, and going through the motions and pretending that she is truly healing from a horrible tragedy. But she lost the love of her life, Shane and has really just shut down her emotions.
But I 'm tired of pretending to be okay around everyone. I want to feel okay for once.
Two years later her best friend, Callie is pushing her to move on. Soon she finds herself dating a determined, charismatic coach, Drew and trying to enjoy male companionship again. But it is not easy to forget about how right things felt with her lost love and she still has trouble emotionally and physically responding to another man. Drew was fun, flirty, and attentive. He seemed like the perfect guy to get her mind off her problems and start a relationship.
An unexpected surprise through the mail for her kindergarten class, puts her in contact with a deployed soldier, Sawyer. He is lonely, depressed, and latches onto Makenna in email and chats. She becomes a life line to him in his chaotic life and something about him just helps her to open up and share.
Makenna was damaged, but also had a quiet strength about her. She was caring, had a good heart, and always thought about others. But she was so guarded both emotionally and physically. And she really had not been able to open up and share her feelings to anyone and just kept it all bottled up.
Sawyer had his own issues and past demons. But he was sexy, charming, protective, and not afraid to admit his feelings. I liked him from his first letter and chat. He had a vulnerability to him and was also lost and looking for something to keep him grounded. Their connection was almost immediate, their friendship was sweet, and once they met in person, their attraction was even stronger. And he sings to her...seriously singing tough guys make me swoon. I was Team Sawyer all the way.
I loved her best friends Callie and Wes. They were there for her when she needed them, and knew when to push when her coping mechanisms were not working anymore. They were true friends even when they did not agree. Sawyer's adopted Grandfather William was a complete riot. He stole the scenes he was in. And Sawyer's Doctor friend Dalton has some leading man potential I think. hint hint.
This book was had tragedy, twists, surprises, secrets, danger and a bit of mystery. I loved how things gradually unfolded throughout the story. It was also an emotional journey for both Makenna and Sawyer as they struggled to come to terms with their nightmares and try to move on from traumas and tragedies. They had to fight their own feelings of guilt, insecurity, and deal with the pain of their pasts. And Drew also had his own problems to deal with and his share of secrets too. But even as a relationship is finally progressing, there are secrets and danger threatening to rip it apart.
You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else.
I've missed out on so many parts of your life, but you've always been meant for me. I don't want to miss a single breath you take. You tell me that I saved you, but darlin', you saved me, too.
Will Makenna find her second chance at happiness or end up losing it all again?
This book took me through many emotions, had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. There were times I was gripping my kindle a bit too tight, shedding tears, gasping in surprise, and totally swooning with contentment. It flowed well, kept my interest, and had excellent character development. The characters really had depth, emotions, and personal growth. It was a beautiful story of second chance love, healing, and hope with the excitement of suspense and danger. This is the second book I have read by Tasha Ivey, and I am now a total fan. She has a way of creating unique storylines with many interwoven connections that make you think and become completely involved in the story. This one will stick me for a long time.
Thanks to Tasha Ivey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
Makenna is lost, broken, and going through the motions and pretending that she is truly healing from a horrible tragedy. But she lost the love of her life, Shane and has really just shut down her emotions.
But I 'm tired of pretending to be okay around everyone. I want to feel okay for once.
Two years later her best friend, Callie is pushing her to move on. Soon she finds herself dating a determined, charismatic coach, Drew and trying to enjoy male companionship again. But it is not easy to forget about how right things felt with her lost love and she still has trouble emotionally and physically responding to another man. Drew was fun, flirty, and attentive. He seemed like the perfect guy to get her mind off her problems and start a relationship.
An unexpected surprise through the mail for her kindergarten class, puts her in contact with a deployed soldier, Sawyer. He is lonely, depressed, and latches onto Makenna in email and chats. She becomes a life line to him in his chaotic life and something about him just helps her to open up and share.
Makenna was damaged, but also had a quiet strength about her. She was caring, had a good heart, and always thought about others. But she was so guarded both emotionally and physically. And she really had not been able to open up and share her feelings to anyone and just kept it all bottled up.
Sawyer had his own issues and past demons. But he was sexy, charming, protective, and not afraid to admit his feelings. I liked him from his first letter and chat. He had a vulnerability to him and was also lost and looking for something to keep him grounded. Their connection was almost immediate, their friendship was sweet, and once they met in person, their attraction was even stronger. And he sings to her...seriously singing tough guys make me swoon. I was Team Sawyer all the way.
I loved her best friends Callie and Wes. They were there for her when she needed them, and knew when to push when her coping mechanisms were not working anymore. They were true friends even when they did not agree. Sawyer's adopted Grandfather William was a complete riot. He stole the scenes he was in. And Sawyer's Doctor friend Dalton has some leading man potential I think. hint hint.
This book was had tragedy, twists, surprises, secrets, danger and a bit of mystery. I loved how things gradually unfolded throughout the story. It was also an emotional journey for both Makenna and Sawyer as they struggled to come to terms with their nightmares and try to move on from traumas and tragedies. They had to fight their own feelings of guilt, insecurity, and deal with the pain of their pasts. And Drew also had his own problems to deal with and his share of secrets too. But even as a relationship is finally progressing, there are secrets and danger threatening to rip it apart.
You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else.
I've missed out on so many parts of your life, but you've always been meant for me. I don't want to miss a single breath you take. You tell me that I saved you, but darlin', you saved me, too.
Will Makenna find her second chance at happiness or end up losing it all again?
This book took me through many emotions, had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. There were times I was gripping my kindle a bit too tight, shedding tears, gasping in surprise, and totally swooning with contentment. It flowed well, kept my interest, and had excellent character development. The characters really had depth, emotions, and personal growth. It was a beautiful story of second chance love, healing, and hope with the excitement of suspense and danger. This is the second book I have read by Tasha Ivey, and I am now a total fan. She has a way of creating unique storylines with many interwoven connections that make you think and become completely involved in the story. This one will stick me for a long time.
Thanks to Tasha Ivey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
August 1, 2013
OMFG!! I’m speechless right now. This book, wow! Tasha Ivey is a freaking genius, and this book is absolutely amazing! I have been trying all day to put into words a review that would do this book justice, and still do not think I have them.
Two years ago Makenna lost her fiancé in a horrible accident, and she’s trying to live her life, but she really isn’t living. She is now an elementary school teacher, her best friend Callie (also a teacher) is trying to get her to move on and live again, and talks her into dating the highschool football coach Drew. Makenna agrees, because that’s what she thinks she needs to do to move on, but can’t bring herself to even kiss Drew. She soon strikes up a friendship with her classes soldier that they write to, Sawyer, and is able to be herself when chatting with him.
Some things happen, some horrible things, but also some great things as well. You can tell she knows what she wants, but isn’t sure of it yet, and you instantly fall in love with one of the guys.
Makenna is damaged and broken, she isn’t living her life anymore, and doesn’t talk about her fiancé Shane, when she finally opens up, your heart breaks for her. I was balling reading this part of the story. When she realizes that she can move on, and that doesn’t mean her love for Shane is gone, she starts to become whole again. You can see it peaking through as each chapter goes on. She is also very realatable, and I could imagine any of us who have gone through the same thing as her dealing with it this way.
Without giving anything away, one of these guys, and once you start reading, you will figure out who, is not right in the head, and there is something very wrong, but Makenna doesn’t seem to notice because she’s just trying to live, and doing a horrible job at it. The other guy, wow, I think I instantly fell in love.
Each of the characters, Drew, Sawyer, Makenna, all have troubled pasts, some of them let it get to them and make them who they are, and others are trying to move past it and make the best of the hand they’ve been dealt. Its great to see Makenna and one of the guys coming out of their shell and really working on moving forward with their life.
This story has some heavy topics as well, and If I was Makenna, I’m not sure how well I would have dealt with some of them, but she keeps proving she’s stronger than she or any of the people in her life think she is.
The supporting characters in this book are also great, and really bring this story home, Shane (yeah, he’s in the past, but whatever), Callie, Wes, William, Dalton, and even Makenna’s mom and dad. You do get pissed at Callie, but you see and understand why she does what she does. They all love Makenna and want her happy again, those who have been in her life for a long time, and new friends she makes throughout this story.
I laughed, I cried, I was scared of being alone at night, I loved, I hated, I everything’d while reading this book. It is an emotional rollercoaster and as long as you hang on tight (don’t worry, chapter one will drag you in), it is worth the ride. I do recommend that you make sure you have time to finish, or you’ll be like me, and counting down the minutes to get home from work to pick it back up. Last night, I said screw it and read till too early in the morning, but it was definitely worth it. Problem with that… I couldn’t sleep after finishing, my mind was racing and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that happened. I felt as if I knew these characters by the end of the book.
I want to thank Tasha Ivey for providing me with an ARC copy for an honest review. Girl, you rocked this book! It is definitely on the top of my list for my favorite book of 2013. I have already told all of my friends to pick it up when it goes live on August 4th, and I can’t wait to read all the other stories that will be in the Every Life series.
I highly recommend each and every one of you pick this book up, it will not be a decision you regret. I normally don’t read a book more than once (there are too many on my TBR list) but this one, I will make an exception for. So grab your Kleenex, curl up on the coach, and grab this book and don’t put it down. You will love it! I know I did.
“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you.”
http://readingpastmybedtime.wordpress...
Two years ago Makenna lost her fiancé in a horrible accident, and she’s trying to live her life, but she really isn’t living. She is now an elementary school teacher, her best friend Callie (also a teacher) is trying to get her to move on and live again, and talks her into dating the highschool football coach Drew. Makenna agrees, because that’s what she thinks she needs to do to move on, but can’t bring herself to even kiss Drew. She soon strikes up a friendship with her classes soldier that they write to, Sawyer, and is able to be herself when chatting with him.
Some things happen, some horrible things, but also some great things as well. You can tell she knows what she wants, but isn’t sure of it yet, and you instantly fall in love with one of the guys.
Makenna is damaged and broken, she isn’t living her life anymore, and doesn’t talk about her fiancé Shane, when she finally opens up, your heart breaks for her. I was balling reading this part of the story. When she realizes that she can move on, and that doesn’t mean her love for Shane is gone, she starts to become whole again. You can see it peaking through as each chapter goes on. She is also very realatable, and I could imagine any of us who have gone through the same thing as her dealing with it this way.
Without giving anything away, one of these guys, and once you start reading, you will figure out who, is not right in the head, and there is something very wrong, but Makenna doesn’t seem to notice because she’s just trying to live, and doing a horrible job at it. The other guy, wow, I think I instantly fell in love.
Each of the characters, Drew, Sawyer, Makenna, all have troubled pasts, some of them let it get to them and make them who they are, and others are trying to move past it and make the best of the hand they’ve been dealt. Its great to see Makenna and one of the guys coming out of their shell and really working on moving forward with their life.
This story has some heavy topics as well, and If I was Makenna, I’m not sure how well I would have dealt with some of them, but she keeps proving she’s stronger than she or any of the people in her life think she is.
The supporting characters in this book are also great, and really bring this story home, Shane (yeah, he’s in the past, but whatever), Callie, Wes, William, Dalton, and even Makenna’s mom and dad. You do get pissed at Callie, but you see and understand why she does what she does. They all love Makenna and want her happy again, those who have been in her life for a long time, and new friends she makes throughout this story.
I laughed, I cried, I was scared of being alone at night, I loved, I hated, I everything’d while reading this book. It is an emotional rollercoaster and as long as you hang on tight (don’t worry, chapter one will drag you in), it is worth the ride. I do recommend that you make sure you have time to finish, or you’ll be like me, and counting down the minutes to get home from work to pick it back up. Last night, I said screw it and read till too early in the morning, but it was definitely worth it. Problem with that… I couldn’t sleep after finishing, my mind was racing and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that happened. I felt as if I knew these characters by the end of the book.
I want to thank Tasha Ivey for providing me with an ARC copy for an honest review. Girl, you rocked this book! It is definitely on the top of my list for my favorite book of 2013. I have already told all of my friends to pick it up when it goes live on August 4th, and I can’t wait to read all the other stories that will be in the Every Life series.
I highly recommend each and every one of you pick this book up, it will not be a decision you regret. I normally don’t read a book more than once (there are too many on my TBR list) but this one, I will make an exception for. So grab your Kleenex, curl up on the coach, and grab this book and don’t put it down. You will love it! I know I did.
“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you.”
http://readingpastmybedtime.wordpress...
August 6, 2013
I received this book from the author for exchange for my super awesome review~~
Lets just say, ... If you haven't meet Tasha Ivey or spoken with her, your totally missing out! Her personality made we want to read this book so much more than just adding it to my TBR list on my kindle that maybe 2015 I might get too, and guess what I'm so glad that I didn't miss out.
This story wasn't what I expected. The stories that I have been reading lately have been the whole boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, there all running together but with just a different name. But this story. This story sure did take you on a twist of Ohhh..eemmm...Geeee. I remember messaging Tasha and saying omg, I love it.. and I was only 70% into the book and I didn't even get to the super good part!. Okay enough of my rambling here we goooooooo......
Our main girl here in the story is Makenna, shes the elementary school teacher that lost the love her life 2 years ago. Never truly dealing with the pain, and defiantly was not ready to date anyone. One tragic night turned her world upside down... Did she want love again? Well, Callie her Bff her sister from another mother, not really, but they were SUPER good friends thought she did....
Both Callie and Makenna worked at the school. Callie sets Makenna up with Drew. The super hot football coach. Why not?? Its been 2 years. Why shouldn't she be able to date? Well, that she did. And she really took her time with her "relationship" with Drew.
Makenna's school signed up for writing letters to the soldiers in Afghanistan. Last year Makenna's class didn't get the greatest guy but this year... She got Sawyer. Ok. Lets just say Sawyer is prob the nicest person in the whole wide world. I do feel like I Know him. He wrote a letter to the kids in her class, and even decided to do a video chat..... I always say that people sound really hot on the phone but when you see them your like mehhhh... Well Sawyer, he was HOT.
Drew became one of those Creepers that you didn't even know he was a creeper until stuff was going on. Did she love him? Could she see herself with him?... All she really cared about was her family, Cami and Sawyer. Sawyer was her friend right. Well... you will have to read to find out!!!
As you can tell ... I could write all day about this story. But when I say to you I promise you wont be let down. You wont. You will feel everything Makenna felt. Real life situations in this story, real life. This is not stuff that realistically would never happen. It does. Car accidents, lost love ones, wars, PTS, Mental Illness, Fertility problems.... these are real issues, and Tasha wrote a fantastic story with twists and turns that even I didn't catch until it happened.
Lets just say, ... If you haven't meet Tasha Ivey or spoken with her, your totally missing out! Her personality made we want to read this book so much more than just adding it to my TBR list on my kindle that maybe 2015 I might get too, and guess what I'm so glad that I didn't miss out.
This story wasn't what I expected. The stories that I have been reading lately have been the whole boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, there all running together but with just a different name. But this story. This story sure did take you on a twist of Ohhh..eemmm...Geeee. I remember messaging Tasha and saying omg, I love it.. and I was only 70% into the book and I didn't even get to the super good part!. Okay enough of my rambling here we goooooooo......
Our main girl here in the story is Makenna, shes the elementary school teacher that lost the love her life 2 years ago. Never truly dealing with the pain, and defiantly was not ready to date anyone. One tragic night turned her world upside down... Did she want love again? Well, Callie her Bff her sister from another mother, not really, but they were SUPER good friends thought she did....
Both Callie and Makenna worked at the school. Callie sets Makenna up with Drew. The super hot football coach. Why not?? Its been 2 years. Why shouldn't she be able to date? Well, that she did. And she really took her time with her "relationship" with Drew.
Makenna's school signed up for writing letters to the soldiers in Afghanistan. Last year Makenna's class didn't get the greatest guy but this year... She got Sawyer. Ok. Lets just say Sawyer is prob the nicest person in the whole wide world. I do feel like I Know him. He wrote a letter to the kids in her class, and even decided to do a video chat..... I always say that people sound really hot on the phone but when you see them your like mehhhh... Well Sawyer, he was HOT.
Drew became one of those Creepers that you didn't even know he was a creeper until stuff was going on. Did she love him? Could she see herself with him?... All she really cared about was her family, Cami and Sawyer. Sawyer was her friend right. Well... you will have to read to find out!!!
As you can tell ... I could write all day about this story. But when I say to you I promise you wont be let down. You wont. You will feel everything Makenna felt. Real life situations in this story, real life. This is not stuff that realistically would never happen. It does. Car accidents, lost love ones, wars, PTS, Mental Illness, Fertility problems.... these are real issues, and Tasha wrote a fantastic story with twists and turns that even I didn't catch until it happened.
November 21, 2013
I fell in love with Tasha Ivey's storytelling earlier this year when I read her debut, Destiny Ever-changing. Ms. Ivey seems to have a knack for creating such genuine characters and her stories are compelling, yet comfortable. Every Breath...it really rocked me. It gripped me from the beginning and left me feeling warm and fuzzy in the end.
Makenna Madison lost her Happily Ever After when her fiance died, two years ago. To keep her family and friends from suffering her heartache, she pastes a smile on her face and move through each day. Makenna is such a selfless and caring young woman. She's a second grade teacher and is truly passionate about her job. She stays close with her parents and her best friend, Callie - but emotionally, she's closed herself off. When Callie sets her up with the high school football coach, Makenna does her best to move forward with life.
Drew seems like a good man. He's kind and he's patient with Makenna. He knows something happened to her and he's willing to wait until she feels comfortable talking with him about it. He's even understanding about Makenna's inability to move past platonic with him. Meeting Drew's parents, though, makes Makenna wonder if she really knows Drew.
Things get complicated when Makenna begins chatting with Sawyer, the soldier whom her class wrote a holiday letter to. As she gets to know Sawyer better, she starts asking herself why she's able to open up to Sawyer and share things with him that she hasn't shared with anyone. And once Sawyer comes home, Makenna begins to have feelings she thought she'd never have again. But Sawyer is hiding something...something that could ruin everything.
Every Breath has a robust cast of characters including Callie, Makenna's best friend, and Callie's husband Wes, who happens to be her dead fiance's brother, William, Sawyer's father-figure, and others. What I adore about Ms. Ivey's characters is how comfortable they are. They're easy to connect to, Reading Every Breath felt like being a part of this community and I became very invested in its inhabitants. I was devastated when Callie laid out her ultimatum for Makenna - talk about tough love. And I wanted to thunk Makenna in the head when she made poor decisions. I wanted to scoop Sawyer up into a big hug - a hug symbolic of all the hugs I'd like to give all our soldiers for the jobs they do. And I bit my nails in suspense over what was going to happen between Makenna, Drew, and Sawyer.
The way in which Ms. Ivey worked in the hand of fate in Every Breath was a delight. I'm a big believer in things working out how they should so the fact that Ms. Ivey worked that into the story really appealed to me. Watching Makenna trying to move forward by forcing things while what she needed was right in front of her - it was heady.
It was a pleasure to watch Makenna come out of her emotional coma and Sawyer played a huge role in that. At first, Makenna's contact with him was only meant to serve as a connection to home for Sawyer. But he had a way of coaxing Makenna out of herself. The bonus was in the healing they both provided the other.
On a side note, I enjoyed all the literary references woven into the story. I know Ms. Ivey is a Jane Austen fan, as am I, so those references were fun. But there were others as well and I enjoyed that. Ms. Ivey also included music references...and with the exception of those made to the 80s, I was lost. But I'm now a fan of Boyce Avenue. :) I see music as poetry and the inclusion of lyrics was a nice touch.
Every Breath deals with some heavy subjects - death, war, PTSD, drug addiction. I think it was a very personal story for Ms. Ivey. It's emotional, tense, heartbreaking, and very real. And it's a beautifully rendered story of a second chance at love - a second chance at life. Ultimately, it was uplifting and heartwarming and amazing.
Makenna Madison lost her Happily Ever After when her fiance died, two years ago. To keep her family and friends from suffering her heartache, she pastes a smile on her face and move through each day. Makenna is such a selfless and caring young woman. She's a second grade teacher and is truly passionate about her job. She stays close with her parents and her best friend, Callie - but emotionally, she's closed herself off. When Callie sets her up with the high school football coach, Makenna does her best to move forward with life.
Drew seems like a good man. He's kind and he's patient with Makenna. He knows something happened to her and he's willing to wait until she feels comfortable talking with him about it. He's even understanding about Makenna's inability to move past platonic with him. Meeting Drew's parents, though, makes Makenna wonder if she really knows Drew.
Things get complicated when Makenna begins chatting with Sawyer, the soldier whom her class wrote a holiday letter to. As she gets to know Sawyer better, she starts asking herself why she's able to open up to Sawyer and share things with him that she hasn't shared with anyone. And once Sawyer comes home, Makenna begins to have feelings she thought she'd never have again. But Sawyer is hiding something...something that could ruin everything.
Every Breath has a robust cast of characters including Callie, Makenna's best friend, and Callie's husband Wes, who happens to be her dead fiance's brother, William, Sawyer's father-figure, and others. What I adore about Ms. Ivey's characters is how comfortable they are. They're easy to connect to, Reading Every Breath felt like being a part of this community and I became very invested in its inhabitants. I was devastated when Callie laid out her ultimatum for Makenna - talk about tough love. And I wanted to thunk Makenna in the head when she made poor decisions. I wanted to scoop Sawyer up into a big hug - a hug symbolic of all the hugs I'd like to give all our soldiers for the jobs they do. And I bit my nails in suspense over what was going to happen between Makenna, Drew, and Sawyer.
The way in which Ms. Ivey worked in the hand of fate in Every Breath was a delight. I'm a big believer in things working out how they should so the fact that Ms. Ivey worked that into the story really appealed to me. Watching Makenna trying to move forward by forcing things while what she needed was right in front of her - it was heady.
It was a pleasure to watch Makenna come out of her emotional coma and Sawyer played a huge role in that. At first, Makenna's contact with him was only meant to serve as a connection to home for Sawyer. But he had a way of coaxing Makenna out of herself. The bonus was in the healing they both provided the other.
On a side note, I enjoyed all the literary references woven into the story. I know Ms. Ivey is a Jane Austen fan, as am I, so those references were fun. But there were others as well and I enjoyed that. Ms. Ivey also included music references...and with the exception of those made to the 80s, I was lost. But I'm now a fan of Boyce Avenue. :) I see music as poetry and the inclusion of lyrics was a nice touch.
Every Breath deals with some heavy subjects - death, war, PTSD, drug addiction. I think it was a very personal story for Ms. Ivey. It's emotional, tense, heartbreaking, and very real. And it's a beautifully rendered story of a second chance at love - a second chance at life. Ultimately, it was uplifting and heartwarming and amazing.
August 5, 2013
“This book will grab and take you through an unexpected journey, a very beautiful love story that will have you smiling at the end”. Andrea's Book Blog
At first when I read the synopsis of this book I thought “great, I am going to be depressed and upset while reading this book”… I was not sure if I could finish it. So when I got through about 50% of the book and did not find a stopping point until then, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself feeling the need to talk to someone about what was going on. I felt very much invested in the characters and what was going to happen. Then it hit me, that point in the book where the author knocks my socks off and shocks me with a turn of events. I did not see it coming, and at that point I could not put the book down. Makenna, who lost her fiancé first and only love two years ago, clearly is trying to move forward in her life but not sure how to do so. Her struggle ebbs and flows of her life experience.
I was happy that Makenna had a great support system in her best friend Callie. At first I thought “Oh, Makenna is going to date the new guy (Drew) and somehow he is going to save her and they live happily ever after”. Oh, was I wrong, first of all there is another man thrown in the mix, (Sawyer) a deployed soldier that comes into her life innocently through being a military contact for her classroom of second graders.
I loved Sawyer; he was trying to deal with the hand he was dealt the best way he knew how. I could not believe what I found out about his background and why he does what he does in his life, and in the meantime, not understanding how much he affects others in his life. Makenna did work my nerves a little when she was denying some of what she was feeling. I know, she was going through so much and needed to “go slow”, but I still wanted her to stop and think at one point and make that leap of faith quicker, but if she did this book would have been much shorter. Drew and Mekenna’s story throws you for a loop right at 56% into the book and at 90% of the book I found myself tweeting the author. There was a flash of surprise at each point. The author laughed it off and continued to encourage me to read on, and that there were more surprises - and yes, there are surprises.
I was so mad at the author at first but then she got back in my good graces in the end. I can’t tell you what lead me to this because it would give the book away, but let me tell you just don’t read the last 50% of the book at work or with a whole bunch of people around because you will be yelling at the book at some point. This book sneaks up on you and has you hooked. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For this to be the first book for a new author, I congratulate her on her current and future successes.
“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won’t heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else, the scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job.” - Gotta read the book to find out who says that.
Taheeee! 
If you would like to follow my reviews go to Http://www.itsandrea.net
At first when I read the synopsis of this book I thought “great, I am going to be depressed and upset while reading this book”… I was not sure if I could finish it. So when I got through about 50% of the book and did not find a stopping point until then, I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself feeling the need to talk to someone about what was going on. I felt very much invested in the characters and what was going to happen. Then it hit me, that point in the book where the author knocks my socks off and shocks me with a turn of events. I did not see it coming, and at that point I could not put the book down. Makenna, who lost her fiancé first and only love two years ago, clearly is trying to move forward in her life but not sure how to do so. Her struggle ebbs and flows of her life experience.
I was happy that Makenna had a great support system in her best friend Callie. At first I thought “Oh, Makenna is going to date the new guy (Drew) and somehow he is going to save her and they live happily ever after”. Oh, was I wrong, first of all there is another man thrown in the mix, (Sawyer) a deployed soldier that comes into her life innocently through being a military contact for her classroom of second graders.
I loved Sawyer; he was trying to deal with the hand he was dealt the best way he knew how. I could not believe what I found out about his background and why he does what he does in his life, and in the meantime, not understanding how much he affects others in his life. Makenna did work my nerves a little when she was denying some of what she was feeling. I know, she was going through so much and needed to “go slow”, but I still wanted her to stop and think at one point and make that leap of faith quicker, but if she did this book would have been much shorter. Drew and Mekenna’s story throws you for a loop right at 56% into the book and at 90% of the book I found myself tweeting the author. There was a flash of surprise at each point. The author laughed it off and continued to encourage me to read on, and that there were more surprises - and yes, there are surprises.
I was so mad at the author at first but then she got back in my good graces in the end. I can’t tell you what lead me to this because it would give the book away, but let me tell you just don’t read the last 50% of the book at work or with a whole bunch of people around because you will be yelling at the book at some point. This book sneaks up on you and has you hooked. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For this to be the first book for a new author, I congratulate her on her current and future successes.
“You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn’t think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. Hell, I didn’t even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won’t heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else, the scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job.” - Gotta read the book to find out who says that.
Taheeee! 
If you would like to follow my reviews go to Http://www.itsandrea.net
August 4, 2013
BREATHTAKING, SOUL WRENCHING, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING LOVE STORY!
Where can I even start…
I am still at a loss for words at how beautiful this story is! Tasha Ivey is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! This is so well written it literally grabs you from the first page and never lets go! You will not be able to put it down!!! She makes you feel every emotion along the way, and you are left feeling apart of the story and hoping it never ends!
"I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together."
Almost 2 years ago Makenna suffered a terrible loss. And since then she has been holding her self together hiding behind a fake smile and pretending to be normal. But inside she is broken, scared, and confused! She doesn’t believe she will ever be able to move forward and love someone.
Makenna Madison is an Elementary School teacher and with some pushing from her best friend Callie, she decides to finally date the new High School football coach. I thought Drew was great for her. He was so kind, caring, patient, and good looking. Drew seems to be completely smitten with Makenna! She is not ready for a physical relationship of any kind, not even kissing. She just can't seem to shake the thoughts of her ex-fiance and his death. But she puts on a brave face and tries to learn to like Drew.
Her 2nd Grade class adopted a solider and wrote him letters of encouragement. When they hear back from him, Makenna is immediately drawn to him. SSG Sawyer Harris is *sigh* swoon worthy! He is gorgeous, rough, tattooed, strong, gentle, caring, and just amazing! They have an immediate friendship and find themselves video chatting, writing emails and flirting almost daily. Makenna feels like she can open up to him and tell him stuff she has never told anyone. They are there for each other, and help one another without even realizing it.
"Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else. The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job."
When she discovers that both of these men are hiding things from her, there will be twists and turns that you never saw coming! (I don't want to give too much away!) You will be begging to know… WTH is going to happen next? Is she strong enough to fight again? WTF? Will Makenna find her happily ever after? There were times I was literally holding my breath waiting to see what the next page held! But thankfully this is a HEA with a BEAUTIFUL epilogue that just warms your heart! You will get to see more every chapter of Mak truly finding herself and learning to forgive and find love again! You will have moments where you are crying, swooning, scared, nervous and insanely in love! Definitely on my TOP 10 READS OF ALL TIME, and TOP 5 OF 2013!!!! Do not pass this up, this is a MUST READ!!!
"I haven't ever really agreed with the old saying that it's better to have loved and lost than to have ever loved at all, but I understand it now."
5 BREATHTAKING STARS!
*Review done for Swoon Worthy Books*
August 5, 2013
Oh the tangled webs we weave... In this second book from Tasha Ivey I was really impressed in the growth of her writing and story telling. This story is heartwarming, heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time.
We follow the story of Makenna who has suffered a great loss and hasn't been able to put back the pieces of her life since that fateful day she lost the person that she was planning to spend the rest of her life with. Her loss propels her into a state of existing but not truly living. It's hard to hear Makenna's story and how sad she is. She feels like she will never be able to break the cycle, and all she does is put on a front for her family and friends. Her best friend tries everything to help her including forcing her into a relationship with Drew the high school coach with good looks and good personality. Looks can be EXTREMELY deceiving though...
In Makenna's class they all participated in a project to write to a solider overseas. The solider that they had contacted this year wrote back a letter of thanks. This letter would change everything for Makenna. As the story moves on Makenna and Sawyer move from friends into that grey area, she's torn because she's technically dating Drew but has strong feelings toward Sawyer. She starts to feel alive again for the first time in her life but that all comes crashing to a halt when things suddenly take a dangerous twist and she finds herself in uncomfortable situation with someone she trusted.
Sawyer has a very broken past. I cried for the childhood that was stolen away from this man. For the pain that he endures daily thinking himself a failure because that's all he's ever known himself to be. No matter how hard he tries he can't save everyone. No matter how hard he tries it never seems to be enough... His tortured soul needs mending and when he first meets Makenna he can see the same need in her eyes. He's drawn to her in a way that he can't explain, and he wants nothing more to fix that sadness behind her eyes. When his past collides with his future Sawyer is thrust back into believing he just isn't worthy of happiness and the secrets that he keeps could destroy the one person he has ever felt truly happy with.
This book will take you on a roller coaster of highs and lows. You will never see some of the twists coming at you, and when they hit it's like a bomb exploding! Makenna is thrust into an uncomfortable situation and finally had to deal with the past to get too the future that she so desperately wants. You will feel her heartache in the retelling of the story of the night her fiance was ripped from her life. The sadness she feels when she learns of Sawyer's past and the betrayal that she feels he bestowed upon her. And the love and passion that she and Sawyer share throughout the book. You will also feel extreme hatred, I can't tell you why but you'll find out! Just read this book! I couldn't put it down from the time I started it... The story pulled me in and even though at times it might have been a bit too much crazy! It was all worth it! I give Tasha 4.5 stars for this touching read. I can't wait to see what's to come in this series!
We follow the story of Makenna who has suffered a great loss and hasn't been able to put back the pieces of her life since that fateful day she lost the person that she was planning to spend the rest of her life with. Her loss propels her into a state of existing but not truly living. It's hard to hear Makenna's story and how sad she is. She feels like she will never be able to break the cycle, and all she does is put on a front for her family and friends. Her best friend tries everything to help her including forcing her into a relationship with Drew the high school coach with good looks and good personality. Looks can be EXTREMELY deceiving though...
In Makenna's class they all participated in a project to write to a solider overseas. The solider that they had contacted this year wrote back a letter of thanks. This letter would change everything for Makenna. As the story moves on Makenna and Sawyer move from friends into that grey area, she's torn because she's technically dating Drew but has strong feelings toward Sawyer. She starts to feel alive again for the first time in her life but that all comes crashing to a halt when things suddenly take a dangerous twist and she finds herself in uncomfortable situation with someone she trusted.
Sawyer has a very broken past. I cried for the childhood that was stolen away from this man. For the pain that he endures daily thinking himself a failure because that's all he's ever known himself to be. No matter how hard he tries he can't save everyone. No matter how hard he tries it never seems to be enough... His tortured soul needs mending and when he first meets Makenna he can see the same need in her eyes. He's drawn to her in a way that he can't explain, and he wants nothing more to fix that sadness behind her eyes. When his past collides with his future Sawyer is thrust back into believing he just isn't worthy of happiness and the secrets that he keeps could destroy the one person he has ever felt truly happy with.
This book will take you on a roller coaster of highs and lows. You will never see some of the twists coming at you, and when they hit it's like a bomb exploding! Makenna is thrust into an uncomfortable situation and finally had to deal with the past to get too the future that she so desperately wants. You will feel her heartache in the retelling of the story of the night her fiance was ripped from her life. The sadness she feels when she learns of Sawyer's past and the betrayal that she feels he bestowed upon her. And the love and passion that she and Sawyer share throughout the book. You will also feel extreme hatred, I can't tell you why but you'll find out! Just read this book! I couldn't put it down from the time I started it... The story pulled me in and even though at times it might have been a bit too much crazy! It was all worth it! I give Tasha 4.5 stars for this touching read. I can't wait to see what's to come in this series!
July 16, 2013
My treasure. My heart. My soul. My love.
How do you move on after watching the man you love die? Her closest have been encouraging her that its time to let go. With much encouragement from her best friend Callie she agrees to go out with her school’s football coach – Drew.
Weeks pass as they continue dating but for some reason she can not fully let Drew in. It just does not feel right. At the same time she’s has been corresponding with Sawyer, a soldier in Afghanistan. She’s never meet him in person but the connection between them is immediate.
When Sawyer comes home from the war one of his first things he does is see Makenna. Just when we thought that their connection couldn’t get any closer it is even that much more intense. Drew knows he can no longer compete with what they have but he isn’t willing to give her up. He thinks that after all the time he’s invested in their relationship that he owns her. He will literally do anything to keep her.
_________________________________
“I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never cared before what a woman thought of me. I never wanted to better myself just to be worthy of someone’s friendship. And I’m sure as hell never caught myself daydreaming about a future with anyone before. Not until you. You’ve broken some walls down and that I didn’t even know existed. It’s only been a couple of months since I met you, but I can’t imagine a single day that doesn’t have you in it.”
This book was so much more than I expected. It was a “everything happens for a reason” story. And also a story about picking up the pieces and moving on. To me what really made this story was the characters.
I thought that Sawyer’s character was amazing. He was so romantic. Talk about swoon- worthy! His childhood was horrific but instead of following in his parents footsteps he took it upon himself to become more. He matures into this caring and passionate man. His compassion almost destroys him but Makenna pulls him away from the edge. I found that Sawyer not only helps Makenna move on but she helps him heal as well.
Reading about Makenna was painful. The author was just able to describe that pain she was going through in great detail that I felt my heart breaking for her. You can tell how much she struggled with moving on and while it takes her awhile to do so, in my opinion she was just waiting for the right person – Sawyer. I thought they were the perfect fit. They’re lives were so much more intertwined than I expected and that made me even more impressed with the authors’ creativity and imagination.
Loved this one. It was smooth and well delivered. The pacing was also perfect. It’s uniquely intense and emotionally charged, it’s unpredictable and it kept me on my toes guessing. A definite solid 5 stars from me.
liezelsbookblog.net
How do you move on after watching the man you love die? Her closest have been encouraging her that its time to let go. With much encouragement from her best friend Callie she agrees to go out with her school’s football coach – Drew.
Weeks pass as they continue dating but for some reason she can not fully let Drew in. It just does not feel right. At the same time she’s has been corresponding with Sawyer, a soldier in Afghanistan. She’s never meet him in person but the connection between them is immediate.
When Sawyer comes home from the war one of his first things he does is see Makenna. Just when we thought that their connection couldn’t get any closer it is even that much more intense. Drew knows he can no longer compete with what they have but he isn’t willing to give her up. He thinks that after all the time he’s invested in their relationship that he owns her. He will literally do anything to keep her.
_________________________________
“I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never cared before what a woman thought of me. I never wanted to better myself just to be worthy of someone’s friendship. And I’m sure as hell never caught myself daydreaming about a future with anyone before. Not until you. You’ve broken some walls down and that I didn’t even know existed. It’s only been a couple of months since I met you, but I can’t imagine a single day that doesn’t have you in it.”
This book was so much more than I expected. It was a “everything happens for a reason” story. And also a story about picking up the pieces and moving on. To me what really made this story was the characters.
I thought that Sawyer’s character was amazing. He was so romantic. Talk about swoon- worthy! His childhood was horrific but instead of following in his parents footsteps he took it upon himself to become more. He matures into this caring and passionate man. His compassion almost destroys him but Makenna pulls him away from the edge. I found that Sawyer not only helps Makenna move on but she helps him heal as well.
Reading about Makenna was painful. The author was just able to describe that pain she was going through in great detail that I felt my heart breaking for her. You can tell how much she struggled with moving on and while it takes her awhile to do so, in my opinion she was just waiting for the right person – Sawyer. I thought they were the perfect fit. They’re lives were so much more intertwined than I expected and that made me even more impressed with the authors’ creativity and imagination.
Loved this one. It was smooth and well delivered. The pacing was also perfect. It’s uniquely intense and emotionally charged, it’s unpredictable and it kept me on my toes guessing. A definite solid 5 stars from me.
liezelsbookblog.net
August 7, 2013
*4.5 STARS*
"I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together."
This book was so unexpected. Just when I though I had it figured out it turned into something else. I was able to figure some things out but there were others where I asked myself, "Whoa, where did that come from?"
Makenna is existing she is not fully living. She goes through the motions but is not willing to give love a try again. She lost her heart when her fiancé died. He was perfect for her and she feels she will never find that again.
"He was going to be my only one. Until he was ripped away from me. My forever disintegrated in a matter of minutes."
With the encouragement of her best friend, Callie, she decides to give Drew a chance and "date" him. I'm not sure if date is the correct word for what they were doing in the beginning, seeing as they hadn't even kissed for four months. Drew obviously wanted more, but Makenna was terrified of allowing it to happen. The thought even repulsed her times.
Makenna and her second grade class received correspondence from a soldier, Sawyer Harris, still at war. Makenna and Sawyer started sending emails and video chatting back and forth, developing a friendship that they both desperately need at that moment. Makenna feels comfortable talking to Sawyer about things that she has not discussed to ANYONE since her fiancé died. Sawyer's tour is almost done and they had planned to continue their friendship once he is back stateside. When Makenna's house gets mysteriously vandalized she is forced to make decisions that ultimately turn her world upside down. But with the help of the right person, the pieces of her heart start to fall back in place.
"Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else.
The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job."
This story was heartfelt and emotional. Although, Makenna is broken she tends to rationalize through her issues which I liked. The pace in the beginning of the story was bit slow for me but once it picked up it reeeeally picked up and I really enjoyed the story. So much so, that I had a hard time putting it down. I just needed to know what was going to happen next. Tasha Ivey does such a an amazing job with the twist and turns in this story. She keeps you on your toes while reading. Some things I could kind of see and others just completely blindsided me. In the end I appreciated the fact that it sort of came back full circle.
A favorite quote:
"I could kiss you every second of my life and it wouldn't be enough."
"I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together."
This book was so unexpected. Just when I though I had it figured out it turned into something else. I was able to figure some things out but there were others where I asked myself, "Whoa, where did that come from?"
Makenna is existing she is not fully living. She goes through the motions but is not willing to give love a try again. She lost her heart when her fiancé died. He was perfect for her and she feels she will never find that again.
"He was going to be my only one. Until he was ripped away from me. My forever disintegrated in a matter of minutes."
With the encouragement of her best friend, Callie, she decides to give Drew a chance and "date" him. I'm not sure if date is the correct word for what they were doing in the beginning, seeing as they hadn't even kissed for four months. Drew obviously wanted more, but Makenna was terrified of allowing it to happen. The thought even repulsed her times.
Makenna and her second grade class received correspondence from a soldier, Sawyer Harris, still at war. Makenna and Sawyer started sending emails and video chatting back and forth, developing a friendship that they both desperately need at that moment. Makenna feels comfortable talking to Sawyer about things that she has not discussed to ANYONE since her fiancé died. Sawyer's tour is almost done and they had planned to continue their friendship once he is back stateside. When Makenna's house gets mysteriously vandalized she is forced to make decisions that ultimately turn her world upside down. But with the help of the right person, the pieces of her heart start to fall back in place.
"Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else.
The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job."
This story was heartfelt and emotional. Although, Makenna is broken she tends to rationalize through her issues which I liked. The pace in the beginning of the story was bit slow for me but once it picked up it reeeeally picked up and I really enjoyed the story. So much so, that I had a hard time putting it down. I just needed to know what was going to happen next. Tasha Ivey does such a an amazing job with the twist and turns in this story. She keeps you on your toes while reading. Some things I could kind of see and others just completely blindsided me. In the end I appreciated the fact that it sort of came back full circle.
A favorite quote:
"I could kiss you every second of my life and it wouldn't be enough."
July 31, 2013
"Sometimes , it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else. The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job."
This is one of the many quotes from the book that stole my heart. I want to start off by saying that this is now in my Top 5 reads of 2013 thus far. I absolutely loved this book and it was wonderfully written. Sweet, Intense, Heart Breaking, Heart Warming and Full of Love. Those are the words I would use to describe this book.
When you first start off reading you are left a little in the dark on Makenna's past. You slowly start to learn her secrets and why she fears intimacy. We meet Drew in the beginning and I'll admit that I fell for him. The way he was willing to help her through her struggles and his patience and understanding go above and beyond.
Makenna has suffered a terrible loss and for the past two years she hides her devastation behind a facade of happiness and normalcy, but she is far from normal and is on the verge of breaking.
Callie is Makenna's spunky, tell-it-like-it-is friend and I loved her. Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love and push them over the edge to bring them back.
I can't give much away because this book takes twists and turns in the plot that I could not predict. I felt so many emotions while reading this. My heart broke repeatedly throughout right along with Makenna.
Sawyer, what can I say about him? He is swoonworthy, he instantly captured my heart. My heart broke for him and his demons he carried from war and his work at home. He is kind, caring, a protector.
The last five chapters of the book had me white knuckling my Kindle. I was so into the writing that I felt like I was right there in the living room with them. I was holding my breathe, on the verge of tears. It was an amazingly written intense ending.
Epilogue: Yes folks, this book is an HEA so no worries there. I cried my way through the epilogue. It is one of the sweetest endings I've read in a long time. I literally had to stop and wipe my eyes so that I could continue reading. The End, those two words killed me. I have a huge hangover right now. I may have to read this again soon. I happily give this book 5 Stars!
~Jen
September 7, 2013
"Sometimes , it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else. The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job."
This is one of the many quotes from the book that stole my heart. I want to start off by saying that this is now in my Top 5 reads of 2013 thus far. I absolutely loved this book and it was wonderfully written. Sweet, Intense, Heart Breaking, Heart Warming and Full of Love. Those are the words I would use to describe this book.
When you first start off reading you are left a little in the dark on Makenna's past. You slowly start to learn her secrets and why she fears intimacy. We meet Drew in the beginning and I'll admit that I fell for him. The way he was willing to help her through her struggles and his patience and understanding go above and beyond.
Makenna has suffered a terrible loss and for the past two years she hides her devastation behind a facade of happiness and normalcy, but she is far from normal and is on the verge of breaking.
Callie is Makenna's spunky, tell-it-like-it-is friend and I loved her. Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love and push them over the edge to bring them back.
I can't give much away because this book takes twists and turns in the plot that I could not predict. I felt so many emotions while reading this. My heart broke repeatedly throughout right along with Makenna.
Sawyer, what can I say about him? He is swoonworthy, he instantly captured my heart. My heart broke for him and his demons he carried from war and his work at home. He is kind, caring, a protector.
The last five chapters of the book had me white knuckling my Kindle. I was so into the writing that I felt like I was right there in the living room with them. I was holding my breathe, on the verge of tears. It was an amazingly written intense ending.
Epilogue: Yes folks, this book is an HEA so no worries there. I cried my way through the epilogue. It is one of the sweetest endings I've read in a long time. I literally had to stop and wipe my eyes so that I could continue reading. The End, those two words killed me. I have a huge hangover right now. I may have to read this again soon. I happily give this book 5 Stars!
This is one of the many quotes from the book that stole my heart. I want to start off by saying that this is now in my Top 5 reads of 2013 thus far. I absolutely loved this book and it was wonderfully written. Sweet, Intense, Heart Breaking, Heart Warming and Full of Love. Those are the words I would use to describe this book.
When you first start off reading you are left a little in the dark on Makenna's past. You slowly start to learn her secrets and why she fears intimacy. We meet Drew in the beginning and I'll admit that I fell for him. The way he was willing to help her through her struggles and his patience and understanding go above and beyond.
Makenna has suffered a terrible loss and for the past two years she hides her devastation behind a facade of happiness and normalcy, but she is far from normal and is on the verge of breaking.
Callie is Makenna's spunky, tell-it-like-it-is friend and I loved her. Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love and push them over the edge to bring them back.
I can't give much away because this book takes twists and turns in the plot that I could not predict. I felt so many emotions while reading this. My heart broke repeatedly throughout right along with Makenna.
Sawyer, what can I say about him? He is swoonworthy, he instantly captured my heart. My heart broke for him and his demons he carried from war and his work at home. He is kind, caring, a protector.
The last five chapters of the book had me white knuckling my Kindle. I was so into the writing that I felt like I was right there in the living room with them. I was holding my breathe, on the verge of tears. It was an amazingly written intense ending.
Epilogue: Yes folks, this book is an HEA so no worries there. I cried my way through the epilogue. It is one of the sweetest endings I've read in a long time. I literally had to stop and wipe my eyes so that I could continue reading. The End, those two words killed me. I have a huge hangover right now. I may have to read this again soon. I happily give this book 5 Stars!
August 7, 2013
How do you move on when you lost the one person that held your whole heart?
“I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don’t now if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together.”
Makenna can’t get past her grief, losing her fiancé Shane in a terrible accident she is stuck, in limbo, afraid to move forward with her life. She goes through the daily motions, work, family, friends but she isn’t fooling anyone; she is a shell of her former self.
“The scar on my heart won’t ever heal because I won’t let it.”
With a not so delicate push from her best friend Callie; Makenna agrees to a date with the schools football coach Drew. Tall, handsome and charming he is the perfect guy to help Makenna move on. Drew is patient and kind, never pushing Makenna for more than she is willing to give. But what happens when it’s still not enough? Should you stay with a man who provides companionship or do you hold out for love?
When Makenna’s class participates in an Adopt a Soldier event she meets Sawyer. On active duty in Afghanistan, Makenna and Sawyer form a friendship through emails and video chats. They have an instant connection and it doesn’t hurt that he is HOT!
So, what is a girl to do? Stay where you are or follow your gut and hope it leads you in the right direction? Simple right? Yeah, not so much. Not everyone is who they appear to be and jealousy is a bitch.
When things start to fall apart which man will save her and which will try to hurt her?
I really enjoyed Every Breath; it was engaging and kept my interest throughout the story. The characters were well written, emotions that you could feel (I may have shed a tear or two) and the combination of heartbreak, drama, a bit of mystery and a sweet romance made for a great read that I would definitely recommend to others.
“Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won’t heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else. The scars may not ever fade, but the heart can be put back together piece by piece, if you have the right person for the job.”
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