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Breathing #1-2
The Breathing Series
The Breathing Series is one girl's story of unspeakable cruelty, life-changing love, and her precarious grasp of hope.
Reason to Breathe:
Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible secret. Despite her academic prowess and athletic accomplishments, she focuses on surviving high school by fading into the shadows. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth- at the risk of revealing a truth that could destroy everything.
Barely Breathing:
When Emma's torment is horrifyingly exposed, all those involved are still haunted by the memories. The bruises fade, but the scars and fears remain. And while some try to mend the wounds of the past, more secrets are revealed, along with a long-forgotten heartache.
The Breathing Series will have readers gasping until the very last page.
Reason to Breathe:
Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible secret. Despite her academic prowess and athletic accomplishments, she focuses on surviving high school by fading into the shadows. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth- at the risk of revealing a truth that could destroy everything.
Barely Breathing:
When Emma's torment is horrifyingly exposed, all those involved are still haunted by the memories. The bruises fade, but the scars and fears remain. And while some try to mend the wounds of the past, more secrets are revealed, along with a long-forgotten heartache.
The Breathing Series will have readers gasping until the very last page.
962 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2013
78 people are currently reading
2031 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Donovan
17 books9,386 followersOptimism seeps from every pore of my body. I truly believe that what's supposed to happen... will! In that regard, I don't know how to give up; it's not part of my biological make up.
I'm a passionate (and some would say, overly enthusiastic) person. I learn by doing (and have been burned more times that I'd like to admit), but I will always throw my entire self into whatever I do - fail or succeed.
I think this is evident when I write, leaving nothing behind and spilling it all out on the pages. I give it all to my readers - love it or hate it.
The path I'm on is very often my own, veering off the beaten path at the sight of something more interesting or captivating, getting caught in the vines and thorns in order to experience the beauty and intrigue others often pass by. And I always meet the most interesting people along the way...
I'm a passionate (and some would say, overly enthusiastic) person. I learn by doing (and have been burned more times that I'd like to admit), but I will always throw my entire self into whatever I do - fail or succeed.
I think this is evident when I write, leaving nothing behind and spilling it all out on the pages. I give it all to my readers - love it or hate it.
The path I'm on is very often my own, veering off the beaten path at the sight of something more interesting or captivating, getting caught in the vines and thorns in order to experience the beauty and intrigue others often pass by. And I always meet the most interesting people along the way...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 1, 2016
***Special double review for Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing***
Reason to Breathe
This is my second time reading the Breathing series so I knew what the content was, what the characters experienced, and how the story concluded. I thought I would be able to control my emotions and just calmly reread the book, you know, refresh my memory on a couple of details. Yeah, I thought wrong.
The book (all of them actually) deals with very dark subject matter, and I think even the hardest of hearts will feel the pain, the anguish, the hopelessness, the love, the intensity that radiates from this heartbreaking story.
Emma is a broken individual. Deeply insecure and emotionally scarred, she struggles to live. No, to survive. The brutal treatment she receives from her aunt is just so…so excruciatingly painful to read about. I’ll be honest, it fucked with my mind. I didn’t feel the blows physically, but my heart…resonated with grief and sorrow. Emma never did anything wrong. She was the perfect student, perfect teammate, perfect niece. She is rewarded with a life full of nothing but tragedy and despair. Until Evan’s arrival draws her out of her shell.
“This was not how my days were supposed to go. No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?”
In a world filled with darkness, Evan was her beacon of light. He understood her like no one else did, and slowly gave her a reason to breathe, though Emma struggled to accept her feelings for him.
“We were engaged in a very intricate dance of touching without touching, knowing without saying, and feeling without expressing. We were friends walking along a ledge, a very thin ledge – and I was too caught up in my heightened awareness of his existence to realize how close the ledge was to crumbing beneath my feet.”
I longed for the happy moments in this book, even though I knew things would get worse before it got better. I also knew that there was a massive cliffhanger at the end. As I got closer and closer to that 100% mark, I could feel all the tension and dread building up in my throat and when it arrived, I was smacked with a heartache and a fury so strong I thought I would explode from. All these emotions snuck up on me, and I had difficulty breathing from the impact. Even though I knew what was coming, I was still hit by that wave of despair. All I can say is that after finishing the last page, I immediately jumped into the next one to soothe my bleeding heart.
5 Left-Me-Breathless stars!!!
***Do not continue if you haven’t read Reason to Breathe***
Barely Breathing
So after that brutal cliffhanger in book 1 I stopped everything I was doing and jumped into book 2 like it was the end of the world. I knew this would be one heck of a rollercoaster ride and boy, was I right!
The story starts off six months after the events of book 1. While Emma’s physical wounds have healed properly, the emotional damage left a permanent mark on her soul. In the spur of a moment, she makes the effort to reconnect with her mother, Rachel, and moves in with her, creating many problems. An added complication appears in the form of Rachel’s much younger boyfriend Jonathan. All of this, coupled with Emma and Evan’s complex relationship, was more than enough to drive me over the edge. I cried, I sobbed, I screamed, I pulled my hair out, and I almost smashed my iPad into pieces.
I honestly don’t even know what to say now because I’m just a blubbering mess. I’ll just do a quick breakdown of the three characters who stole the show.
Emma: Still emotionally scarred, terrified to reveal her dark thoughts to Evan and so starts to rely on Jonathan. They’ve both experienced unspeakable cruelty at the hands of loved ones, and build up a connection on that basis. She’s confused about everything in her life, but one thing is for sure: she loves Evan deeply. He’s the only one for her.
Evan: the most thoughtful, sweetest, and protective boyfriend ever!! It was hard at times to see his pain over the choices Emma made, and he tries so hard to do the right thing. I hated reading about his suffering because it multiplied my agony by infinity.
Jonathan: I’m probably in the minority, but I really connected with his character. His past is not only painful, it’s dark, gritty, and raw, and it’s like a Kristen Ashley character dropped into this book. To be honest, my feelings for him were conflicted. On one hand, I despised him for the threat he presented to Emma and Evan, but…I could really see how deeply wounded he was, burned from old love and scarred by his horrific past, and I wanted him to find his HEA so badly.
By far, this book’s ending was epic and jaw-dropping. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves room for interpretation. That last line…it gave me shivers. Anticipatory shivers. Rebecca Donovan goes big with her endings and boy, do they pack a punch! After finishing this second book, there was nothing that could stop me from moving on to the third!! Definitely my favorite out of the trilogy!
5+ Breathtaking Stars!!!
Reason to Breathe
This is my second time reading the Breathing series so I knew what the content was, what the characters experienced, and how the story concluded. I thought I would be able to control my emotions and just calmly reread the book, you know, refresh my memory on a couple of details. Yeah, I thought wrong.
The book (all of them actually) deals with very dark subject matter, and I think even the hardest of hearts will feel the pain, the anguish, the hopelessness, the love, the intensity that radiates from this heartbreaking story.
Emma is a broken individual. Deeply insecure and emotionally scarred, she struggles to live. No, to survive. The brutal treatment she receives from her aunt is just so…so excruciatingly painful to read about. I’ll be honest, it fucked with my mind. I didn’t feel the blows physically, but my heart…resonated with grief and sorrow. Emma never did anything wrong. She was the perfect student, perfect teammate, perfect niece. She is rewarded with a life full of nothing but tragedy and despair. Until Evan’s arrival draws her out of her shell.
“This was not how my days were supposed to go. No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?”
In a world filled with darkness, Evan was her beacon of light. He understood her like no one else did, and slowly gave her a reason to breathe, though Emma struggled to accept her feelings for him.
“We were engaged in a very intricate dance of touching without touching, knowing without saying, and feeling without expressing. We were friends walking along a ledge, a very thin ledge – and I was too caught up in my heightened awareness of his existence to realize how close the ledge was to crumbing beneath my feet.”
I longed for the happy moments in this book, even though I knew things would get worse before it got better. I also knew that there was a massive cliffhanger at the end. As I got closer and closer to that 100% mark, I could feel all the tension and dread building up in my throat and when it arrived, I was smacked with a heartache and a fury so strong I thought I would explode from. All these emotions snuck up on me, and I had difficulty breathing from the impact. Even though I knew what was coming, I was still hit by that wave of despair. All I can say is that after finishing the last page, I immediately jumped into the next one to soothe my bleeding heart.
5 Left-Me-Breathless stars!!!
***Do not continue if you haven’t read Reason to Breathe***
Barely Breathing
So after that brutal cliffhanger in book 1 I stopped everything I was doing and jumped into book 2 like it was the end of the world. I knew this would be one heck of a rollercoaster ride and boy, was I right!
The story starts off six months after the events of book 1. While Emma’s physical wounds have healed properly, the emotional damage left a permanent mark on her soul. In the spur of a moment, she makes the effort to reconnect with her mother, Rachel, and moves in with her, creating many problems. An added complication appears in the form of Rachel’s much younger boyfriend Jonathan. All of this, coupled with Emma and Evan’s complex relationship, was more than enough to drive me over the edge. I cried, I sobbed, I screamed, I pulled my hair out, and I almost smashed my iPad into pieces.
I honestly don’t even know what to say now because I’m just a blubbering mess. I’ll just do a quick breakdown of the three characters who stole the show.
Emma: Still emotionally scarred, terrified to reveal her dark thoughts to Evan and so starts to rely on Jonathan. They’ve both experienced unspeakable cruelty at the hands of loved ones, and build up a connection on that basis. She’s confused about everything in her life, but one thing is for sure: she loves Evan deeply. He’s the only one for her.
Evan: the most thoughtful, sweetest, and protective boyfriend ever!! It was hard at times to see his pain over the choices Emma made, and he tries so hard to do the right thing. I hated reading about his suffering because it multiplied my agony by infinity.
Jonathan: I’m probably in the minority, but I really connected with his character. His past is not only painful, it’s dark, gritty, and raw, and it’s like a Kristen Ashley character dropped into this book. To be honest, my feelings for him were conflicted. On one hand, I despised him for the threat he presented to Emma and Evan, but…I could really see how deeply wounded he was, burned from old love and scarred by his horrific past, and I wanted him to find his HEA so badly.
By far, this book’s ending was epic and jaw-dropping. I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger, but it definitely leaves room for interpretation. That last line…it gave me shivers. Anticipatory shivers. Rebecca Donovan goes big with her endings and boy, do they pack a punch! After finishing this second book, there was nothing that could stop me from moving on to the third!! Definitely my favorite out of the trilogy!
5+ Breathtaking Stars!!!
June 27, 2014
I would give the first book in this series, "Reason to Breath", 5 stars. I read it in about a day and there were moments were I just cried out in sadness, the next from happiness, and then shouted in anger the next.
The other two novels are also incredble reads, but I didn't like the way in which they written as much as the first, especially the two perspectives in "Out of Breath". Other than that, I think it's an incredible trilogy and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a young adult story, one that deals with the harsh and dark reality of abuse and in which the author isn't afraid to cross some lines of the typical "teenage" genre.
The other two novels are also incredble reads, but I didn't like the way in which they written as much as the first, especially the two perspectives in "Out of Breath". Other than that, I think it's an incredible trilogy and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a young adult story, one that deals with the harsh and dark reality of abuse and in which the author isn't afraid to cross some lines of the typical "teenage" genre.
January 20, 2014
I must say that I am very frustrated at the moment due to the Huge Cliffhanger at the end! The story is heart wrenching and the characters are true to their age. That naive way we see things when we are so young. I really want to know more about Carol and George's interaction with each other. Em is so strong and brave. She has dealt with so much and is truly a survivor. I know her intentions of not telling things is pure but it angered me every time she said she was fine. Sara and Evan did better with everything then I would have, I would have told. I was truly hoping that when everyone confronted Em that she would finally breakdown and tell. I am off to buy the next books in the series. I have to know what happens to this brave broken girl!
February 24, 2014
These books evoked such emotion out of me! Love the characters and the series.
August 17, 2020
All in all a great series!
Reason to breath was beautifully written, a story about a teenager living in a very abusive home. All Emma wants is to finish high school so she can move away from the house with all the nightmares. Emma is a brilliant student with good grades and the most awesome friend ever. She is so focused on surviving that she care much about whats going on around her, but then everything changes when a boy transfers to the school.
Bearly breathing: will write soon
Out of breath: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Reason to breath was beautifully written, a story about a teenager living in a very abusive home. All Emma wants is to finish high school so she can move away from the house with all the nightmares. Emma is a brilliant student with good grades and the most awesome friend ever. She is so focused on surviving that she care much about whats going on around her, but then everything changes when a boy transfers to the school.
Bearly breathing: will write soon
Out of breath: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2023
Wow. This is heart wrenching. I don’t recommend reading this shortly after Jennette McCurdy’s book like I did. As dark as that was, this is so much more and it’s so much more in depth. Although having over 900 pages, it should be more in depth. At times Emma’s character is frustrating because I know what I want her to do or say, but I also understand the way she is and why her actions are so. The first book Reason to Breathe had a lot of these for me. Man, did I want her to just lunge at Carol and put her in her place! But that’s not Emma and if she did the story wouldn’t be the same. The second book Barry Breathing had some slower points, but looking back they really built up a crutch for Emma that was necessary to how this ended. I still wanted to shake some sense into her at times. Definitely look up trigger warning before reading this, it’s very heavy and dark. But I loved it.
July 20, 2019
The first time I read this book, 4 years ago. I never thought it would stick with me the way it has done. I’ve read this series numerous times and each time I’m completely blown away with how this book makes me feel. At the ripe age of 20 years old, 4 years later. I can hands down say this will always be my favourite book series. Each word, each chapter has shaped me. I think I know each word off by heart the amount of times I’ve read all 3 books. I’m completely and utterly in love with these books and these characters that Rebecca has brought to life. I’m jealous of anyone who gets to experience reading these for the first time. I know for a fact I’ll continue re-reading them for the rest of my life.
January 19, 2014
Bought the book because, frankly, it was cheap on amazon but I'm glad I did. On book 3 right now and can't put it down. I have not been able to get interested in a series of books since the Fifty Shades Trilogy. Even though these are more PG rated, I loved them. I have laughed and cried with Emma, Evan, & Sara a few times. Fortunetly I have not had to experience what Emma went through but the author did an excellent job of depicting her pain, both emotional and physical. Loved the series & would highly recommend.
August 20, 2014
This series is amazing!! I could not put this book down at all. I wanted to know what happened next. I was an emotional wreck while reading this book but I still did not want to put it down. I can't wait to see what happens with Emma and Evan. With everything that Emma has been through she deserves to have a happy ending!! Thank you Rebecca for writing this sad but beautiful story.
January 4, 2014
THIS BOOK WAS SO DAMN GOOD THAT I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN !!!! EMOTIONS EMOTIONS !!! REBECCA DONOVAN YOU ROCK CHICK !!!! THAT YOU FOR BRINGING ME YOUR AMAZING WRITTING AND THE STORY ONE WORD INTENSE!!!!!IM LOVING IT THOROUGH ALL MY CRYING IM FOLLOWING THIS STORY TO THE END TISSUE SNIFFLES AND ALL!!!!!
January 23, 2017
When I read this book, I was pulled in during the first book. It was by far the best. Seeing her battle Carol was so interesting and I loved it. Into the second and third book, it slowed down and Emma's problems became more dramatic and I didn't enjoy it much. I was constantly confused as to why Evan chased her, but the books were overall really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2014
WOW! I'm still stuck on what I just read and trying to process. All I know is I need the next book. I don't think I ever put the book down, I was hook from the beginning to the end. My emotions are everywhere that I don't even know what to say. Go read this book.
May 22, 2014
Soooo goood!!! Amazing!!!! I cried and felt Emma's pain!!! But there are times I even yelled at her because of her choices! Still an amazing book one and two!! And cannot WAIT to buy the third book on Friday!!!
June 2, 2014
Amazingly beautiful, loved this one cover to cover. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with both Evan and Emma. I found myself wishing that these characters were real. This is a must read. I will read it again, for a third time.
July 2, 2014
I loved this book. It takes a sting person to put up with Emma's everyday life . It's not fair that anyone should have to live like that
February 25, 2015
I could not put down this YA series. Loved it!
August 7, 2019
Words can’t even describe how mad I got most of the time reading the book and I felt like the main character suffered too much and that she was going to endure ALL OF IT until she finished high school. She covered up the abuse her so called “Aunt” did to her just to protect her little cousins whom let me just say the elder child was catching on to how his mom was always beating and treating his older cousin. That is just not right and to top it off school life was getting crazy with boy drama and gossips, she also had to sneak around just to have fun and poor child was terrified to death about getting caught. I liked the book it had its ups and downs but damn it got to me so much I wanted to beat and throw the book half the time, in the end she gets a sort of depression that follows her up to college what got to me the most after her “Aunt” tried to kill her (Imagine that bull.) her uncle who is actually her blood relative didn’t even had the GUTS to face her and own up to how she was being treated in HIS OWN DAMN HOUSE!!!!! God up above it was a good book cause it gave me the feels. Good job author on almost giving me high blood pressure lol loved the book still.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2021
To start off, the writing is incredible. It is clear, and perfectly detailed. The Breathing Series has me catching a breath each time I turn the page. This book has me wanting to put my life on hold until I finish it and I cannot wait until I get the third book.
Summary: Emma Thomas works very hard within her academics and athletics, yet has a low social status. But why? Evan Matthews moves to Weslyn, Connecticut where he catches the eye of Emma. His teasing results in an opening of emotions and becomes Emma's second friend at Weslyn High School.
Sara, Emma's best friend, and Evan work together to pry open her secrets. It may be too much for them to handle, but the memories remain for Emma as she works to overcome them. Will love overcome Emma's struggles? Will Emma be able to overcome her own struggles? Or will everything be split by disaster? Read to find out.
Summary: Emma Thomas works very hard within her academics and athletics, yet has a low social status. But why? Evan Matthews moves to Weslyn, Connecticut where he catches the eye of Emma. His teasing results in an opening of emotions and becomes Emma's second friend at Weslyn High School.
Sara, Emma's best friend, and Evan work together to pry open her secrets. It may be too much for them to handle, but the memories remain for Emma as she works to overcome them. Will love overcome Emma's struggles? Will Emma be able to overcome her own struggles? Or will everything be split by disaster? Read to find out.
March 16, 2021
4.5 ⭐️ !!! This series makes you feel everything. There is so much to unpack here, just wow. I won’t do any spoilers. The setting is very YA, high school. But the situations!! Sooooo realistic. The affect and effect of abuse. How it really touches everyone around you, pain and darkness. Needing to forgive yourself but refusing to because you “deserve it”. That the pain is only yours to carry and so you push everyone away in the process.
I got the third book ready to go but I already miss this series and the characters. I definitely recommend this series!!!!! I didn’t rate 5 stars because yes it was slow in some parts but it’s worth it in the end.
I got the third book ready to go but I already miss this series and the characters. I definitely recommend this series!!!!! I didn’t rate 5 stars because yes it was slow in some parts but it’s worth it in the end.
July 22, 2019
This series in not for the faint of heart. It deals with abuse of a parent figure. And the trails and triumphs of first love and surviving high school.
Emma is one of my favorite female characters written. Her strength and perseverance is admirable. I just love her. And I love she always tried to push through no matter what happened to her. When reading this book you will have ALL the feels. From the good and to the very bad. And you ever stop rooting for Emma’s happiness.
With great supporting cast you won’t be able to put this series down until the very end!!
Emma is one of my favorite female characters written. Her strength and perseverance is admirable. I just love her. And I love she always tried to push through no matter what happened to her. When reading this book you will have ALL the feels. From the good and to the very bad. And you ever stop rooting for Emma’s happiness.
With great supporting cast you won’t be able to put this series down until the very end!!
September 27, 2020
I read these books when I was about fourteen, and I loved them! They are definitely meant for a teenage audience, and I believe they serve their purpose well. These books were edgier than anything I had read before and will always hold a special place in my heart.
July 9, 2021
This had me on an emotional roller coaster. Was my favorite books when i was younger and i still go back and read these quite often. I love evan and the main character goes through so much. But the third book is my favorite
Read
March 4, 2025It revolutionized the way I read. I read it when I was 13 and in middle school. It obviously has heavier scenes inside that a 13-year-old would never have imagined, but it matured my reading. In turn, I became a more detailed reader afterwards and appreciate this series so much.
June 29, 2017
I hate it when books make me cry! Love this series, the characters and their stories have captured my heart!
July 18, 2018
Read the series twice!! I have never done that before. Also loved that that author puts some deleted stories (scenes) on her website. i look forward to reading more from Rebecca Donovan
July 28, 2018
Gostei muito da história do início ao fim, para mim o livro (2) é o melhor de todos, mas toda a trilogia é muito boa.
January 3, 2019
captivating, didn't want to put the books down
January 9, 2019
Omg! Soooo good! Unputdownable once you get into it! C
April 30, 2020
So dark and haunting but so good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews