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Breathless
"She ran half a world away to escape from her past...and found the one man who can heal her heart. "
It's been three years since a seemingly insignificant decision destroyed Emma's life. Western Colorado is a long way for an Australian girl to run from the suffocating guilt she feels, but it isn't far enough.
So she's made herself a promise: No men, no responsibility. Ever again. That was before her pipes burst, and the crusty old plumber she was expecting turns out to be six-foot-two of brooding hardbody with a killer smile-which he rarely aims in her direction.
Gabe doesn't like it. Even through a layer of plaster dust, Emma's beauty shines through and grabs him hard. Her laugh wraps around his lungs until he forgets how to breathe. But he's still looking for pieces of the broken heart another woman's betrayal left in its wake. Pretty women are trouble, end of story.
Too bad no one told his determinedly matchmaking sister. Her efforts could crash and burn, for all he cares. He's not interested, not now, now ever. Now if he could only convince his body.
Warning: Contains a relationship-shy woman driven across the world to escape her past, a gun-shy rancher with secrets of his own, and enough sexual tension to leave shyness eating their dust.
It's been three years since a seemingly insignificant decision destroyed Emma's life. Western Colorado is a long way for an Australian girl to run from the suffocating guilt she feels, but it isn't far enough.
So she's made herself a promise: No men, no responsibility. Ever again. That was before her pipes burst, and the crusty old plumber she was expecting turns out to be six-foot-two of brooding hardbody with a killer smile-which he rarely aims in her direction.
Gabe doesn't like it. Even through a layer of plaster dust, Emma's beauty shines through and grabs him hard. Her laugh wraps around his lungs until he forgets how to breathe. But he's still looking for pieces of the broken heart another woman's betrayal left in its wake. Pretty women are trouble, end of story.
Too bad no one told his determinedly matchmaking sister. Her efforts could crash and burn, for all he cares. He's not interested, not now, now ever. Now if he could only convince his body.
Warning: Contains a relationship-shy woman driven across the world to escape her past, a gun-shy rancher with secrets of his own, and enough sexual tension to leave shyness eating their dust.
- GenresRomance
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2013
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 17, 2018
Every now and then a writer is able to compose a book that you fall in love with, which impacts you in such a way that even when you have finished reading, the story seems to live on in your soul. Breathless by Dakota Harrison is one of those kind of books. It held my heart in a vise from beginning to end.
Emma, a pretty twenty-nine year old from Australia, decided to relocate to the small town of Jefferson’s Crossing Colorado, a few years after a horrific tragedy changed her life forever. Escaping from the constant memories, guilt and gossip was necessary in order for Emma to remain sane. She is looking forward to making new friends and being on her own.
Gabe, a handsome veterinarian and ranch owner, felt something for Emma the minute she stepped into his brother’s bar and asked for directions. However, due to a previous relationship gone bad, he has no desire to get involved with anyone, ever again.
Emma’s presence has turned the little town upside down and she seems to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. All the men want to date her, while some of the women already hate her. Emma has become fast friends with Gabe’s twin sister Darcy, who believes Emma and Gabe are a true match. Darcy does everything in her power to make them realize they belong together.
The sexual tension between Emma and Gabe is noticed by everyone. Their eventual sexual encounters are full of heat and passion. However, only complete honesty, love and understanding will lead to a future together.
Most of the time as I read a book for review, I jot down some notes and ideas in order to ensure that I remember the highlights of what I think the reader would like to know about. However, sometimes I read a book from cover to cover, without a break, because it is just, so, good. This is one of those books and believe it or not, some of the chapters actually left me breathless. It is an amazing, compassionate story and I was completely blown away by the feelings it evoked. It is well written, sensual and emotional. Ms. Harrison is a talented storyteller and I look forward to her next novel.
Emma, a pretty twenty-nine year old from Australia, decided to relocate to the small town of Jefferson’s Crossing Colorado, a few years after a horrific tragedy changed her life forever. Escaping from the constant memories, guilt and gossip was necessary in order for Emma to remain sane. She is looking forward to making new friends and being on her own.
Gabe, a handsome veterinarian and ranch owner, felt something for Emma the minute she stepped into his brother’s bar and asked for directions. However, due to a previous relationship gone bad, he has no desire to get involved with anyone, ever again.
Emma’s presence has turned the little town upside down and she seems to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. All the men want to date her, while some of the women already hate her. Emma has become fast friends with Gabe’s twin sister Darcy, who believes Emma and Gabe are a true match. Darcy does everything in her power to make them realize they belong together.
The sexual tension between Emma and Gabe is noticed by everyone. Their eventual sexual encounters are full of heat and passion. However, only complete honesty, love and understanding will lead to a future together.
Most of the time as I read a book for review, I jot down some notes and ideas in order to ensure that I remember the highlights of what I think the reader would like to know about. However, sometimes I read a book from cover to cover, without a break, because it is just, so, good. This is one of those books and believe it or not, some of the chapters actually left me breathless. It is an amazing, compassionate story and I was completely blown away by the feelings it evoked. It is well written, sensual and emotional. Ms. Harrison is a talented storyteller and I look forward to her next novel.
November 19, 2017
I picked this book off my shelf where it's been for a good long time. Originally published in 2013 by Samhain, it's now out of print. I understand it will be reissued by the author sometime soon.
The story is a simple one. Aussie girl Emma can't run far enough away to escape the tragedy and betrayals of her past. She wants new faces, to be anonymous and unknown and alone to nurse her scars, both inside and out. A pity she chose a small rural town in Colorado to settle. There is no such thing as a stranger in this friendly little town and before she has time to settle, she is being absorbed into the small community. After all, single women are in short supply so when she saunters in, the guys are going to take notice. And the girls...well that is more of a mixed reaction.
Gabe notices Emma, but he is not looking for a woman. The last one he tangled with left him with scars on the inside. Unfortunately his twin sister, Darby, takes a shine to the new girl in town and before he knows it, the whole family has adopted Emma, leaving him with nowhere to run. Small town, hard to avoid seeing her, even if his Mom hadn't volunteered him to help out Emma with her renovations.
Gabe and Emma, circle each other warily. The attraction is acknowledged, but they both have themselves convinced there is nowhere for it to go, given their pasts. So they decide to be friends.
This is a really sweet story with a big smidgen of sadness in the past of both Gabe and Emma. The smexy is warmish and well done. The ending is satisfying.
The story is a simple one. Aussie girl Emma can't run far enough away to escape the tragedy and betrayals of her past. She wants new faces, to be anonymous and unknown and alone to nurse her scars, both inside and out. A pity she chose a small rural town in Colorado to settle. There is no such thing as a stranger in this friendly little town and before she has time to settle, she is being absorbed into the small community. After all, single women are in short supply so when she saunters in, the guys are going to take notice. And the girls...well that is more of a mixed reaction.
Gabe notices Emma, but he is not looking for a woman. The last one he tangled with left him with scars on the inside. Unfortunately his twin sister, Darby, takes a shine to the new girl in town and before he knows it, the whole family has adopted Emma, leaving him with nowhere to run. Small town, hard to avoid seeing her, even if his Mom hadn't volunteered him to help out Emma with her renovations.
Gabe and Emma, circle each other warily. The attraction is acknowledged, but they both have themselves convinced there is nowhere for it to go, given their pasts. So they decide to be friends.
This is a really sweet story with a big smidgen of sadness in the past of both Gabe and Emma. The smexy is warmish and well done. The ending is satisfying.
December 30, 2016
What a fun read! Absolutely loved reading this story!
November 3, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
Breathless by Dakota Harrison was a breath of fresh air. I loved the characters, the town and its residents, and the plot was fresh and inviting. I’m also hoping Ms. Harrison plans on revisiting Jefferson’s Crossing, Colorado because I’m pretty sure there are many more stories there to be told.
When Emma moves to this small town, she becomes the talk of the town, and while she doesn’t like it at least this talk isn’t like what’s been said about her for the last three years. An Australian, who has left her homeland, bought a house sight unseen and moved all alone to a small town in Colorado; she soon finds herself with friends, a crush on a local rancher, and the object of a town wide bet.
Gabe can’t believe the attraction he feels towards Emma. After being betrayed by his fiancée, Gabe hasn’t dated in over two years. He doesn’t trust women especially ones as pretty as Emma but he genuinely likes her and soon their friendship turns in to something more but ghosts from the past bring about feelings of betrayal threatening everything they’ve shared.
Two people bound and determined not to get involved and while they do a pretty good job of being “just friends” even they can’t deny the simmering to a boil attraction they feel for one another. These are some wounded individuals and while I can understand their reluctance to get involved especially after their stories come out, how do you deny something that is so obvious? I loved their story; it wasn’t easy, there were many obstacles to be overcome, yet I felt like they were better and stronger together because of them.
Honestly, this is a great book by a new to me author whom I will be keeping an eye on. Although fairly short, I didn’t feel cheated. The characters were well developed; their relationship progressed at a decent pace, the dialog smart and witty, and the ending satisfying. Check out Breathless, I think you’ll find it to be as fun and sexy as I did!
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
Breathless by Dakota Harrison was a breath of fresh air. I loved the characters, the town and its residents, and the plot was fresh and inviting. I’m also hoping Ms. Harrison plans on revisiting Jefferson’s Crossing, Colorado because I’m pretty sure there are many more stories there to be told.
When Emma moves to this small town, she becomes the talk of the town, and while she doesn’t like it at least this talk isn’t like what’s been said about her for the last three years. An Australian, who has left her homeland, bought a house sight unseen and moved all alone to a small town in Colorado; she soon finds herself with friends, a crush on a local rancher, and the object of a town wide bet.
Gabe can’t believe the attraction he feels towards Emma. After being betrayed by his fiancée, Gabe hasn’t dated in over two years. He doesn’t trust women especially ones as pretty as Emma but he genuinely likes her and soon their friendship turns in to something more but ghosts from the past bring about feelings of betrayal threatening everything they’ve shared.
Two people bound and determined not to get involved and while they do a pretty good job of being “just friends” even they can’t deny the simmering to a boil attraction they feel for one another. These are some wounded individuals and while I can understand their reluctance to get involved especially after their stories come out, how do you deny something that is so obvious? I loved their story; it wasn’t easy, there were many obstacles to be overcome, yet I felt like they were better and stronger together because of them.
Honestly, this is a great book by a new to me author whom I will be keeping an eye on. Although fairly short, I didn’t feel cheated. The characters were well developed; their relationship progressed at a decent pace, the dialog smart and witty, and the ending satisfying. Check out Breathless, I think you’ll find it to be as fun and sexy as I did!
February 16, 2014
I was looking forward to this book after reading Exhale, which I really loved.
This book was just okay.
This book was just okay.
January 26, 2014
OK, I'm officially a fan of Dakota's writing now. Great read!
October 30, 2013
3.5 stars
August 25, 2014
Short and sweet. Good for light reading.
December 10, 2014
Good book, light, interesting, plot was known, but it was written nice, so I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews