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Breathe into Me
STANDALONE, FULL-LENGTH NOVEL.
HEA ENDING, NO CLIFFHANGERS.
How did my life get so broken? It’s a question Lacey St. James asks herself every day. Stuck raising her little brother in a trailer park while she works a dead end job at a grocery store, she has a stalker exboyfriend, a bad reputation, and no way out.
And then she meets Everett, whose presence changes her entire existence.
Everett is an outsider to her small community, in town for the summer housesitting one of the grand mansions off the Mississippi coast. When he saves her in a bar one night, she’s grateful but wary of his intentions. Lacey doesn’t trust most men in her life, but for reasons Lacey can't understand, Everett is completely captivated by her. He’s determined to show her that life can offer more than she’d ever hoped for, if only she believes in herself. As she works with him to free herself, Lacey desperately yearns to trust him, to move on and perhaps start fresh.
But what happens when she finds out that everything he’s told her about himself was a lie?
HEA ENDING, NO CLIFFHANGERS.
How did my life get so broken? It’s a question Lacey St. James asks herself every day. Stuck raising her little brother in a trailer park while she works a dead end job at a grocery store, she has a stalker exboyfriend, a bad reputation, and no way out.
And then she meets Everett, whose presence changes her entire existence.
Everett is an outsider to her small community, in town for the summer housesitting one of the grand mansions off the Mississippi coast. When he saves her in a bar one night, she’s grateful but wary of his intentions. Lacey doesn’t trust most men in her life, but for reasons Lacey can't understand, Everett is completely captivated by her. He’s determined to show her that life can offer more than she’d ever hoped for, if only she believes in herself. As she works with him to free herself, Lacey desperately yearns to trust him, to move on and perhaps start fresh.
But what happens when she finds out that everything he’s told her about himself was a lie?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2014
90 people are currently reading
6392 people want to read
About the author
Sara Fawkes
36 books1,808 followersSara Fawkes has always loved spinning tales, but her romantic roots come from sneaking her mother's old Johanna Lindsay books from the dresser drawer. She's been writing stories since she was a little girl (and has the home made books from preschool to prove it), and loves creating stories and characters and interesting messes for them to get into. An avid traveler and adventure motorcyclist, her dream job includes selling everything off and leaving civilization to see the world on two wheels, writing in cafes in each country she visits, and living off her writing. In the meantime however, she lives in California with her menagerie of pets and, when not writing, loves to rebuild old motorcycles/cars with her Dude and plays with the characters in her head. You can find her online talking about whatever strikes her fancy at:
http://www.sara-fawkes.com
Twitter @SaraFawkes
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SaraFawkesAuthor
http://www.sara-fawkes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
August 11, 2016
Breathe Into Me is a story about a broken girl called, Lacey. She has a stalker ex-boyfriend, a bad reputation, and not really much else going right in her life.
Enter gorgeous Everett..... He's dropped into town to house-sit a mansion..... He's drawn to Lacey and wants to show her how good life can be. Can. She. Trust. Him???
I loved Everett, he's the main attraction, of course. The hero always is!! I loved the relationship between Everett and Lacey. It was beautiful and lovely to watch it develop.
My 3 star feelings...
Lacey was an ok heroine, I didn't completely gel with her. I think I found some aspects of her character a little inconsistent. Her decisions didn't always ring true to her character, in my opinion.
This book had so much potential and with the subject matter I expected a highly emotional read, which, to a certain extent it was, a little... Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this book, maybe it was me, but for some reason it didn't consume me as I would have expected? It didn't bombard my feelings. It has all the ingredients and more and after reflecting on it overnight, I think that maybe that was the problem, there were so many elements in this one.... It maybe lost a little focus for me. There were too many bad things going on, and too many bad people, just one of the elements would have sufficed and made for a compelling read.
***
On the whole this was an enjoyable/likable read for me, there were elements and parts to it that I really liked and even loved, the further into the book I read, the more I enjoyed it.....
If you love a 'second-chance-at-life' type of book with lots of story then you should give Breathe Into Me a read because it's really quite enjoyable. Hope you like♥
Arc provided by St Martin's Press, via NetGalley, for an honest review, thank you
March 1, 2014
4.5 stars
Breathe Into Me is one of those books that you can’t really say much without giving anything away, I feel like her story needs to be experienced blindly. When I first read the description of the book, I instantly knew I had to read it, I am a sucker for a book when there is a kid involved and someone doing everything they can to make sure they are taken care of and are given everything they need. Of course by this point my mind runs away and starts guessing at what this book is all about, but I was so very wrong and I couldn’t be any happier than how things turned out.
I was so mad reading this book, just wanted to yell, scream and fight someone. While there is a love story, it was also finding herself, the person she lost along the way and learning how to live with the guilt and shame that eats away at you when you give it the power too. It was truly painstakingly beautiful to read. I do wish it was longer, I do wish I got more in the end but that is me just being selfish. Who knows there may be another book maybe about someone else that we get to visit back with Everett and Lacey.
ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
**Quotes were taken from the ARC version of the book and may change upon publication**
“Sometimes you just know that person is for you, that they fit. You love even the rough edges, mistakes and all, because you just know they’re for you.”
Breathe Into Me is one of those books that you can’t really say much without giving anything away, I feel like her story needs to be experienced blindly. When I first read the description of the book, I instantly knew I had to read it, I am a sucker for a book when there is a kid involved and someone doing everything they can to make sure they are taken care of and are given everything they need. Of course by this point my mind runs away and starts guessing at what this book is all about, but I was so very wrong and I couldn’t be any happier than how things turned out.
I was so mad reading this book, just wanted to yell, scream and fight someone. While there is a love story, it was also finding herself, the person she lost along the way and learning how to live with the guilt and shame that eats away at you when you give it the power too. It was truly painstakingly beautiful to read. I do wish it was longer, I do wish I got more in the end but that is me just being selfish. Who knows there may be another book maybe about someone else that we get to visit back with Everett and Lacey.
ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
**Quotes were taken from the ARC version of the book and may change upon publication**
March 17, 2014
Book – Breathe Into Me
Author – Sara Fawkes
Publication Date – April 8, 2014
Type – Stand Alone
Genre – Romance, New Adult
Rating – 3 ½ out of 5 Stars
Complimentary Copy kindly provided by SMP via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Again I’m on the fence about a book ---- part of me enjoyed the crap out of it…but then there’s that little voice inside that keeps reminding me of inconsistencies, too much angst, too much drama etc. I struggled between a 3 and a 3 ½ Star rating…..
To start off - I had a problem with the fibs Everett kept telling Lacey and was never called on it and I think I just had a problem connecting with the characters as a whole. Lacey, in my opinion was an on again off again type of heroine in the story…there were times I wanted her to get a fucking clue but then she would redeem herself and fall back into my good graces…..Now Everett on the other hand, I liked him and how down to earth he was – I liked that he didn’t throw money at Lacey to try and help her out of her problems….instead he gave her support and a shoulder to lean on by making her own decisions and fighting for what she wanted on her own. Then there were times where I wanted to scream at him to just come clean with Lacey because if he truly cared for her….he had to know that keeping secrets will only turn into unwanted drama and a broken heart.
I understand Everett was looking for a second chance while Lacey was looking for any type of chance she could to drag her out of the stereotypical thoughts from the town. I think in order to focus more on Lacey’s obstacles she had in life, the author could have deleted some of the drama she was dealing with – it just seemed to be too much of overkill and took away from the premise of a love story.
Overall, the book kept my attention and did at times hold me captive in order to find out what would happen next. By the time I made it about ¾ in – I was mesmerized and couldn’t put the book down just waiting to find out what would happen next.
Re-Cap
Lacey has had a real shitty life and is still living it – she is considered the town whore….trailer trash and is stuck with a boyfriend who abuses her physically, mentally and sexually. Her only friend is a bitch and a user and her home life is another issue that weighs heavy on her mind.
It’s not until Everett walks into her life and she realizes that he isn’t just interested in her for sex – instead he wants to get to know her, spend time with her and just be a friend without wanting anything in return. She is dealing with too much – problems at home – keeping her psycho ex-boyfriend away – holding her head up high when she is put in embarrassing situations by a jealous bitch – keeping her jobs – dealing with a drunken mother and an abusive grandmother……and the list goes on.
Everett starts to bring sunshine back into her darkness and for once Lacey thinks she may just get a break after all. Well, that is until secrets start revealing themselves…..
Wrap-Up
If you love books full of drama – a girl that needs saving and a boy who has the world on his shoulders…then this is a perfect read for you!
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Author – Sara Fawkes
Publication Date – April 8, 2014
Type – Stand Alone
Genre – Romance, New Adult
Rating – 3 ½ out of 5 Stars
Complimentary Copy kindly provided by SMP via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Again I’m on the fence about a book ---- part of me enjoyed the crap out of it…but then there’s that little voice inside that keeps reminding me of inconsistencies, too much angst, too much drama etc. I struggled between a 3 and a 3 ½ Star rating…..
To start off - I had a problem with the fibs Everett kept telling Lacey and was never called on it and I think I just had a problem connecting with the characters as a whole. Lacey, in my opinion was an on again off again type of heroine in the story…there were times I wanted her to get a fucking clue but then she would redeem herself and fall back into my good graces…..Now Everett on the other hand, I liked him and how down to earth he was – I liked that he didn’t throw money at Lacey to try and help her out of her problems….instead he gave her support and a shoulder to lean on by making her own decisions and fighting for what she wanted on her own. Then there were times where I wanted to scream at him to just come clean with Lacey because if he truly cared for her….he had to know that keeping secrets will only turn into unwanted drama and a broken heart.
I understand Everett was looking for a second chance while Lacey was looking for any type of chance she could to drag her out of the stereotypical thoughts from the town. I think in order to focus more on Lacey’s obstacles she had in life, the author could have deleted some of the drama she was dealing with – it just seemed to be too much of overkill and took away from the premise of a love story.
Overall, the book kept my attention and did at times hold me captive in order to find out what would happen next. By the time I made it about ¾ in – I was mesmerized and couldn’t put the book down just waiting to find out what would happen next.
Re-Cap
Lacey has had a real shitty life and is still living it – she is considered the town whore….trailer trash and is stuck with a boyfriend who abuses her physically, mentally and sexually. Her only friend is a bitch and a user and her home life is another issue that weighs heavy on her mind.
It’s not until Everett walks into her life and she realizes that he isn’t just interested in her for sex – instead he wants to get to know her, spend time with her and just be a friend without wanting anything in return. She is dealing with too much – problems at home – keeping her psycho ex-boyfriend away – holding her head up high when she is put in embarrassing situations by a jealous bitch – keeping her jobs – dealing with a drunken mother and an abusive grandmother……and the list goes on.
Everett starts to bring sunshine back into her darkness and for once Lacey thinks she may just get a break after all. Well, that is until secrets start revealing themselves…..
Wrap-Up
If you love books full of drama – a girl that needs saving and a boy who has the world on his shoulders…then this is a perfect read for you!
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 22, 2014
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from netgalley.
I have very little good to say about this book. We'll start with little good there is - it's not badly written. The author does seem to have some reasonably accomplished writing skills and if I had enjoyed the stories/characters more, I can see myself enjoying one of her books.
The problem with this book is that it is both completely unoriginal and I felt utterly disconnected from all of the characters. There was nothing about the book that I found emotionally compelling - it seemed like all of the characters were arms length, and all of the characters were basically caricatures. I can sum each of them up in one word::
Lacey: victim
Everett: savior
Grandma: abusive
Mother: useless
Macon: abuser
The basic story line is so, so, so well-worn that I barely even need to describe it: damaged but beautiful heroine meets hero when he saves her from her abusive boyfriend. She continues to need saving - she loses her job and gets thrown out of her home by her vicious, hateful grandmother - and hero obliges.
The book is a constant see-saw of Lacey gets something good going, the bottom falls out, there is a coincidence or a lucky break that saves her at the last minute, wash, rinse, repeat. It hits all of the NA highpoints: an attempted sexual assault, a completed sexual assault, cyber-bullying, child abuse, an alcoholic parent who is unable to care for her children.
I am certainly glad that I do not live in this fictional town, where all men are capable of sexual assault, all women (except one) are terrible friends or judgmental, mean gossips, and no one ever intervenes in a situation where a child is obviously being subjected to criminal child abuse.
Which brings me to a specific complaint. I don't usually bitch about factual inaccuracies in books but... sometimes I do bitch about factual inaccuracies in books. This is one of those times because there is a gross factual inaccuracy related to the legal system in this book that could have been resolved by the author picking up the phone and reaching out to someone who could assist her in understanding how the child protection system actually works. Or, even, googling it.
It's something called "mandatory report of child abuse" which is pretty much universal these days. In the book, there is a teacher who is quite certain that Lacey's younger brother is being physically abused. Teachers are mandatory reporters under Mississippi law (where this book is set). It took me precisely one google search to find this:
Who may report a suspected case of child abuse?
In accordance with Section 43-21-353 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, "Any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, family protection worker, family protection specialist, child caregiver, minister, law enforcement officer, public or private school employee or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child or an abused child, shall cause an oral report to be made immediately by telephone or otherwise and followed as soon thereafter as possible by a report in writing to the Department of Human Services, ..." (emphasis mine).
A teacher is a school employee. The teacher who hates Lacey because she believes Lacey is abusing her brother would be required to report the suspected abuse to the authorities. What happens then? Well, of course, it is inconvenient for the plot line of the book, but a child protection worker comes out and there are some specific things that occur to ensure that Lacey's baby brother is safe.
This bugs the crap out of me. If an author is going to use rape, or abuse, or child abuse, or even alcoholism, as a plot element, then it is incumbent upon them to do the research so that their plot element is convincing. So that it rings true.
Anyway, enough of that. There is another inaccuracy, but I'll leave it alone.
TL/DR version: trite, been there done that, sexual abuse/rape casually used as a angst-generator, and no emotional investment in the characters. But it's not horribly written.
I have very little good to say about this book. We'll start with little good there is - it's not badly written. The author does seem to have some reasonably accomplished writing skills and if I had enjoyed the stories/characters more, I can see myself enjoying one of her books.
The problem with this book is that it is both completely unoriginal and I felt utterly disconnected from all of the characters. There was nothing about the book that I found emotionally compelling - it seemed like all of the characters were arms length, and all of the characters were basically caricatures. I can sum each of them up in one word::
Lacey: victim
Everett: savior
Grandma: abusive
Mother: useless
Macon: abuser
The basic story line is so, so, so well-worn that I barely even need to describe it: damaged but beautiful heroine meets hero when he saves her from her abusive boyfriend. She continues to need saving - she loses her job and gets thrown out of her home by her vicious, hateful grandmother - and hero obliges.
The book is a constant see-saw of Lacey gets something good going, the bottom falls out, there is a coincidence or a lucky break that saves her at the last minute, wash, rinse, repeat. It hits all of the NA highpoints: an attempted sexual assault, a completed sexual assault, cyber-bullying, child abuse, an alcoholic parent who is unable to care for her children.
I am certainly glad that I do not live in this fictional town, where all men are capable of sexual assault, all women (except one) are terrible friends or judgmental, mean gossips, and no one ever intervenes in a situation where a child is obviously being subjected to criminal child abuse.
Which brings me to a specific complaint. I don't usually bitch about factual inaccuracies in books but... sometimes I do bitch about factual inaccuracies in books. This is one of those times because there is a gross factual inaccuracy related to the legal system in this book that could have been resolved by the author picking up the phone and reaching out to someone who could assist her in understanding how the child protection system actually works. Or, even, googling it.
It's something called "mandatory report of child abuse" which is pretty much universal these days. In the book, there is a teacher who is quite certain that Lacey's younger brother is being physically abused. Teachers are mandatory reporters under Mississippi law (where this book is set). It took me precisely one google search to find this:
Who may report a suspected case of child abuse?
In accordance with Section 43-21-353 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, "Any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, family protection worker, family protection specialist, child caregiver, minister, law enforcement officer, public or private school employee or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child or an abused child, shall cause an oral report to be made immediately by telephone or otherwise and followed as soon thereafter as possible by a report in writing to the Department of Human Services, ..." (emphasis mine).
A teacher is a school employee. The teacher who hates Lacey because she believes Lacey is abusing her brother would be required to report the suspected abuse to the authorities. What happens then? Well, of course, it is inconvenient for the plot line of the book, but a child protection worker comes out and there are some specific things that occur to ensure that Lacey's baby brother is safe.
This bugs the crap out of me. If an author is going to use rape, or abuse, or child abuse, or even alcoholism, as a plot element, then it is incumbent upon them to do the research so that their plot element is convincing. So that it rings true.
Anyway, enough of that. There is another inaccuracy, but I'll leave it alone.
TL/DR version: trite, been there done that, sexual abuse/rape casually used as a angst-generator, and no emotional investment in the characters. But it's not horribly written.
July 20, 2014
3.5 Stars
ARC received courtesy of NetGallery.
Lacey is the small town girl that has had a rough life. Well her whole life hasn’t been rough, but the life she knew before she was 15 doesn’t exist for her any longer. Wanting nothing but to escape to any place but where she is; she remains stuck.
Everett is a stranger, new to the town for the summer. But Everett is hiding his own secrets. He may be hiding a lot, but the one thing he can’t is how he is falling for this broken girl before him.
When one night out for drinks turns into a friendship, that eventually turns into so much more; Lacey might just find her own happily ever after. Or she might just find out Everett is just like every other boy.
This was a much different read from my other Sara Fawkes experiences. With the Anything He Wants and Castaway series, she focused on a romance that was filled with suspense and mystery, but with Breathe Into Me, this was a much more broken love story.
There were aspects to this story that I loved and some that just felt sort of so-so. The story, I loved it. I loved the concept, the plot, but would have loved to have seen an expanded epilogue that gave us more than just a few pages of the present. As much as I loved the story, there were little things that kept me from fully falling in love with it. Things I can’t really put my finger on.
Lacey was the broken girl, but she wasn’t completely one of those girls that whined about it. She was much stronger than I expected her to be throughout most of the story. I loved that she was not a woe-is-me type of chick. She knew her life sucked, she knew she could change it; but being beaten down so many times just made it hard for her to ever take that leap.
As for Everett, he was a sweetheart. Not a melt your panties type of hero, but one that melts your heart. You know that he is hiding far more than he is revealing, but he felt sincere in all his actions. You knew something was going to be revealed, but you had no doubt that he was still a good guy.
Although this did not hit every mark for me, I still enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I had grown accustomed to the conspiracy romance style of Sara Fawkes and loved seeing a different style from her. There was a hint of a story with one of the side characters, Claire, towards the end. Not sure if there will ever come a time when we might get that story, but I know I was left intrigued enough to want to know.
ARC received courtesy of NetGallery.
Lacey is the small town girl that has had a rough life. Well her whole life hasn’t been rough, but the life she knew before she was 15 doesn’t exist for her any longer. Wanting nothing but to escape to any place but where she is; she remains stuck.
Everett is a stranger, new to the town for the summer. But Everett is hiding his own secrets. He may be hiding a lot, but the one thing he can’t is how he is falling for this broken girl before him.
When one night out for drinks turns into a friendship, that eventually turns into so much more; Lacey might just find her own happily ever after. Or she might just find out Everett is just like every other boy.
This was a much different read from my other Sara Fawkes experiences. With the Anything He Wants and Castaway series, she focused on a romance that was filled with suspense and mystery, but with Breathe Into Me, this was a much more broken love story.
There were aspects to this story that I loved and some that just felt sort of so-so. The story, I loved it. I loved the concept, the plot, but would have loved to have seen an expanded epilogue that gave us more than just a few pages of the present. As much as I loved the story, there were little things that kept me from fully falling in love with it. Things I can’t really put my finger on.
Lacey was the broken girl, but she wasn’t completely one of those girls that whined about it. She was much stronger than I expected her to be throughout most of the story. I loved that she was not a woe-is-me type of chick. She knew her life sucked, she knew she could change it; but being beaten down so many times just made it hard for her to ever take that leap.
As for Everett, he was a sweetheart. Not a melt your panties type of hero, but one that melts your heart. You know that he is hiding far more than he is revealing, but he felt sincere in all his actions. You knew something was going to be revealed, but you had no doubt that he was still a good guy.
Although this did not hit every mark for me, I still enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I had grown accustomed to the conspiracy romance style of Sara Fawkes and loved seeing a different style from her. There was a hint of a story with one of the side characters, Claire, towards the end. Not sure if there will ever come a time when we might get that story, but I know I was left intrigued enough to want to know.
February 19, 2014
I think I must start this review by saying that I simply LOVE the cover from the book!
It's beautiful for me!
Then, I need to say I was with my expectations... a bit too high for this one!
Yes, it was 4 stars for me... but I honestly think with this kind of plot, with the drama, with the burden that the main characters have... it could have been so much better!
Lacey's life is pure hell! She doesn't has anything or anyone to help her, to support her... a shoulder to cry when she needs... not even some of her family cares! And to help this all, the only person that "helps" her.... is a dirty bag! There's no other way to say it!
Until him...
Everett is the light at the end of the tunel for Lacey! He's different, he cares, he treats her right... and really likes her without any second intentions! But he has his own secrets...
I'm struggling here, because I felt all the emotions that were described in the book... i could feel their pain... But it was like I couldn't reach the cure like they did...
It's weird, I know, but was too fast... a too quick solution for me...
And with all my heart, I'm a bit pissed for that! I know me, and I know with a little bit more of story, and a little bit more of fight, drama even... this could have been different...
I just needed a closer look to some things... I needed a confrontation of Lacey with her grandma... God!! The woman was the devil... and I could have slapped her face!!
I needed to know more about Everett. I felt like there was more things to tell about him...
I can say it was a really good book, that kept me intrigued with what would happen next, and kept me connected with the characters while I was reading.
***
ARC kindly provided by the editor via NetGalley
It's beautiful for me!
Then, I need to say I was with my expectations... a bit too high for this one!
Yes, it was 4 stars for me... but I honestly think with this kind of plot, with the drama, with the burden that the main characters have... it could have been so much better!
Lacey's life is pure hell! She doesn't has anything or anyone to help her, to support her... a shoulder to cry when she needs... not even some of her family cares! And to help this all, the only person that "helps" her.... is a dirty bag! There's no other way to say it!
Until him...
Everett is the light at the end of the tunel for Lacey! He's different, he cares, he treats her right... and really likes her without any second intentions! But he has his own secrets...
I'm struggling here, because I felt all the emotions that were described in the book... i could feel their pain... But it was like I couldn't reach the cure like they did...
It's weird, I know, but was too fast... a too quick solution for me...
And with all my heart, I'm a bit pissed for that! I know me, and I know with a little bit more of story, and a little bit more of fight, drama even... this could have been different...
I just needed a closer look to some things... I needed a confrontation of Lacey with her grandma... God!! The woman was the devil... and I could have slapped her face!!
I needed to know more about Everett. I felt like there was more things to tell about him...
I can say it was a really good book, that kept me intrigued with what would happen next, and kept me connected with the characters while I was reading.
***
ARC kindly provided by the editor via NetGalley
March 18, 2014
Read in one sitting. LOVED!
*I received an ARC of this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
5 stars
Lacey has only ever been kicked down by life. Living in a run down trailer with family who is either checked out or hates her, left being the only protector for her little brother, with a boyfriend who teeters on the dangerous line, and working a dead end job in a town that has labeled her with a false reputation, she's not sure there's ever going to be a way out. One night out with one of the few acquaintances she has, she meets a dark and handsome stranger named Everett, in town house sitting one of her favorite old mansions in the deep south. She's drawn to him but she's not about to add another complication to her long list already. Besides, he's best friends with a boy she went to school with so it's only a matter of time before he hears all the sordid details and treats her like a leper like the rest of the little town. However, fate has a strange sense of humor and she soon finds herself fighting feelings for a man who may have more secrets than she does.
Loved, loved, loved this book. I flew through the pages and devoured it, there's no other way to describe the instant connection I felt for the story. The characters were gorgeously flawed and part of the journey was reveling in the unraveling of their secrets and true selves while another part was cheering for their absolution and happily ever after. I needed to know the end but never wanted to reach it. While I predicted one of Everett's twists, for the most part you were left turning the page to reveal the next twist. Lacey broke my heart and I wanted to reach in the pages and fix it all for her, or go find her and help her as if she was a real character. The world created is one of realistic proportions that required a brief reality check after the last page, the trailer court she lived in, the grocery store she worked in, the bar they met in all one town over in your mind. A beautiful story that has earned Sara Fawkes a new fan.
*I received an ARC of this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
5 stars
Lacey has only ever been kicked down by life. Living in a run down trailer with family who is either checked out or hates her, left being the only protector for her little brother, with a boyfriend who teeters on the dangerous line, and working a dead end job in a town that has labeled her with a false reputation, she's not sure there's ever going to be a way out. One night out with one of the few acquaintances she has, she meets a dark and handsome stranger named Everett, in town house sitting one of her favorite old mansions in the deep south. She's drawn to him but she's not about to add another complication to her long list already. Besides, he's best friends with a boy she went to school with so it's only a matter of time before he hears all the sordid details and treats her like a leper like the rest of the little town. However, fate has a strange sense of humor and she soon finds herself fighting feelings for a man who may have more secrets than she does.
Loved, loved, loved this book. I flew through the pages and devoured it, there's no other way to describe the instant connection I felt for the story. The characters were gorgeously flawed and part of the journey was reveling in the unraveling of their secrets and true selves while another part was cheering for their absolution and happily ever after. I needed to know the end but never wanted to reach it. While I predicted one of Everett's twists, for the most part you were left turning the page to reveal the next twist. Lacey broke my heart and I wanted to reach in the pages and fix it all for her, or go find her and help her as if she was a real character. The world created is one of realistic proportions that required a brief reality check after the last page, the trailer court she lived in, the grocery store she worked in, the bar they met in all one town over in your mind. A beautiful story that has earned Sara Fawkes a new fan.
Want to read
October 30, 2013Holy shit!!!! I saw the cover and read an excerpt on a friend's blog and I'm itching to get my greedy hands on this book!!! Hellllllloooooo Everett!!! *pouty face*
February 22, 2014
3.75- 4 Sweet Stars
Breathe Into me, is a short, sweet, rescuing damsel-in-distress kind of read.
I love my damsel in distress reads. The more damaged the leading Heroine, the better. Lacey is a sad sad sad case. She lives in a trailer park with her mom, grandma and little brother. She doesn’t have a high school education and works two minimal wage jobs. She lives in a small town in Mississippi and dreams of leaving.
One day Lacey meets Everett, a boy who is house-sitting. He happens to be house-sitting for a mansion. Lacey doesn’t know much about Everett, only that he works in construction and he doesn’t really talk about himself, however Everett shows Lacey that she’s more than what she makes herself to be and helps her get a GED.
I’ve read a Sara Fawkes books before and I know her reads are pretty steamy, so I was pretty surprised on how tame Breathe Into Me was. As much as I love the cover, I was a little disappointed that the steam factor wasn’t really there. Don’t get me wrong, there are steamy scenes, but I guess I was just looking for something more?
I really liked the summary and plot. There’s something about a tragic girl, which is so appealing to me. There’s a reason why Lacey didn’t finished high school and it’s a valid reason, but somehow I just wanted it to be played up more.
It’s hard to say, but there I felt like there were a lot of things that just didn’t flow. I did like how Lacey and Everett initially formed their relationship, because it was slow, but sweet. There was definitely character development and a nice bond forming, but somehow, things got messy towards the second half of book. Maybe there were too many obstacles?
There’s a lot that goes on. Lacey doesn’t have the best home life. Her grandmother is verbally abusive, Lacey’s Mom is not really supportive and it makes it difficult for Lacey to be happy. I kind of wanted Lacey to build more on the relationship with her brother, since Lacey is after all 19, but she was just a bit selfish at times and acted younger than what she really is.
There was a point where we got Everett’s POV for a chapter and I really enjoyed that. For a good part of the book, we didn’t really know Everett, everything was focused on Lacey’s problems and to me, that was just disappointing. I really felt like Everett had a story to tell and it was just kind of brushed under the rug.
Breathe Into Me, has the makings of a great book, with interesting plot and issues, but it’s the writing that kind of needed to be more polished and edited. I think it would have flowed better. Regardless Breathe Into Me was a an easy, romantic read.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
AMAZON
For more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com
Breathe Into me, is a short, sweet, rescuing damsel-in-distress kind of read.
I love my damsel in distress reads. The more damaged the leading Heroine, the better. Lacey is a sad sad sad case. She lives in a trailer park with her mom, grandma and little brother. She doesn’t have a high school education and works two minimal wage jobs. She lives in a small town in Mississippi and dreams of leaving.
One day Lacey meets Everett, a boy who is house-sitting. He happens to be house-sitting for a mansion. Lacey doesn’t know much about Everett, only that he works in construction and he doesn’t really talk about himself, however Everett shows Lacey that she’s more than what she makes herself to be and helps her get a GED.
I’ve read a Sara Fawkes books before and I know her reads are pretty steamy, so I was pretty surprised on how tame Breathe Into Me was. As much as I love the cover, I was a little disappointed that the steam factor wasn’t really there. Don’t get me wrong, there are steamy scenes, but I guess I was just looking for something more?
I really liked the summary and plot. There’s something about a tragic girl, which is so appealing to me. There’s a reason why Lacey didn’t finished high school and it’s a valid reason, but somehow I just wanted it to be played up more.
It’s hard to say, but there I felt like there were a lot of things that just didn’t flow. I did like how Lacey and Everett initially formed their relationship, because it was slow, but sweet. There was definitely character development and a nice bond forming, but somehow, things got messy towards the second half of book. Maybe there were too many obstacles?
There’s a lot that goes on. Lacey doesn’t have the best home life. Her grandmother is verbally abusive, Lacey’s Mom is not really supportive and it makes it difficult for Lacey to be happy. I kind of wanted Lacey to build more on the relationship with her brother, since Lacey is after all 19, but she was just a bit selfish at times and acted younger than what she really is.
There was a point where we got Everett’s POV for a chapter and I really enjoyed that. For a good part of the book, we didn’t really know Everett, everything was focused on Lacey’s problems and to me, that was just disappointing. I really felt like Everett had a story to tell and it was just kind of brushed under the rug.
Breathe Into Me, has the makings of a great book, with interesting plot and issues, but it’s the writing that kind of needed to be more polished and edited. I think it would have flowed better. Regardless Breathe Into Me was a an easy, romantic read.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
AMAZONFor more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com
February 18, 2014
Sometimes a book has the power to overtake your world and as a result, make you realize how precious life really is. Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes had that affect on me.
Lacey St. James's lived a pleasant life with her mom, step-dad and four-year-old brother in Oregon. Then her step-dad died, and her mother moved them across the country to Mississippi. Their new home was a trailer in a trailer-park, with Lacey's gossipy wench of a grandmother.
Lacey's new life is a horror. She got involved with the wrong kind of men, never finished high school and received verbal beatings daily from her grandmother. Her life was scary and she was drowning. Under her grandmother's dictatorship, Lacey's mother slowly deteriorates and becomes a drunk, while bruises begin to appear on her brother.
Meeting Everett takes away some of the pain. He genuinely likes Lacey and wants to be her friend without any strings attached. With his encouragement and a little help from two new friends, her life begins to turn around. However, her past continues to wreck havoc on her future. In addition, Everett has his own demons that he must deal with before he and Lacey can be together.
From the very first chapter I was captivated by Lacey's broken and sad life. I connected with her plight immediately, because she, as well as the plot, are so well defined and described. When Lacey cried, my heart was breaking and when Everett became emotional, I felt his despair. This story is replete with raw emotions from both main characters.
From time to time an author is able to create a story that you fall in love with, and touches you in such a way that even when you have finished reading, the plot seems to live on in your soul. Breathe Into Me is one of those kind of books. It held my heart in a vise from beginning to end. Don't pass up the opportunity to read this emotional, new adult romance.
ARC received from NetGalley and the publisher.
Lacey St. James's lived a pleasant life with her mom, step-dad and four-year-old brother in Oregon. Then her step-dad died, and her mother moved them across the country to Mississippi. Their new home was a trailer in a trailer-park, with Lacey's gossipy wench of a grandmother.
Lacey's new life is a horror. She got involved with the wrong kind of men, never finished high school and received verbal beatings daily from her grandmother. Her life was scary and she was drowning. Under her grandmother's dictatorship, Lacey's mother slowly deteriorates and becomes a drunk, while bruises begin to appear on her brother.
Meeting Everett takes away some of the pain. He genuinely likes Lacey and wants to be her friend without any strings attached. With his encouragement and a little help from two new friends, her life begins to turn around. However, her past continues to wreck havoc on her future. In addition, Everett has his own demons that he must deal with before he and Lacey can be together.
From the very first chapter I was captivated by Lacey's broken and sad life. I connected with her plight immediately, because she, as well as the plot, are so well defined and described. When Lacey cried, my heart was breaking and when Everett became emotional, I felt his despair. This story is replete with raw emotions from both main characters.
From time to time an author is able to create a story that you fall in love with, and touches you in such a way that even when you have finished reading, the plot seems to live on in your soul. Breathe Into Me is one of those kind of books. It held my heart in a vise from beginning to end. Don't pass up the opportunity to read this emotional, new adult romance.
ARC received from NetGalley and the publisher.
Read
April 21, 2014**DNF @ 9%**
Unfortunately, I'm unable to finish this story. They characters are not compatible for me. From the first page I disliked everyone in the story and I feel like its only getting worse. I've attempted two more chapters since I made this choice. The female lead comes off weak and pathetic, and the lead male is whiny and pathetic for following after her. I would rather not rate this story and not finish it.
*I received a FREE copy of this book from St. Marten's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Unfortunately, I'm unable to finish this story. They characters are not compatible for me. From the first page I disliked everyone in the story and I feel like its only getting worse. I've attempted two more chapters since I made this choice. The female lead comes off weak and pathetic, and the lead male is whiny and pathetic for following after her. I would rather not rate this story and not finish it.
*I received a FREE copy of this book from St. Marten's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
February 16, 2014
Breathe Into Me
Sara Fawkes
This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
Lacey St. James is living in a run down trailer with her Mom, Grandma and little 4 year old brother Davy. They have been there since her step-dad died and Grandma offered to take them in. It is a horrible situation that has Mom drinking to extremes and Grandma being verbally abusive as well as slapping Lacey around. Her mental escape from this it to meet up with local bad boy Macon. He likes his sex dirty and a little rough. It is a regular occurance for her to have to hide bruises that he gives her. He sickens her and makes her afraid of him but she thinks she is better off with him than at home.
One night at a local bar Macon goes too far, he offers to share her with his friends. This is too much for Lacey. She is terrified and fights back. After getting away from a possibley dangerous situation she is determined to stay far away from Macon.
Everett is at the bar that night and befriends her after the attack. They strike up a conversation. And begin to see each other around town. He helps her study for her GED test. Working at the local grocery store gets tougher after Macon makes and scene and when Grandma kicks her out of the trailer Everett offers her a room in the mansion's deck house that he is spending the summer in. They become great friends and spend alot of time together.
Lacey is trying to get her life back on track, but with no where to live and no full time job it is hard and she is frustrated. She finally gets some help from the bartender Cherise and fellow grocery clerk Claire.
This story was certainly a journey for this young girl. It was almost heart breaking to read. Such a gamut of emotions. She is always having one set back after another. I wonder if she will ever get her HEA. There are some sweet spots to the story that will give you back hope. Everett arranges for her to get her truck fixed and then they go mud riding to christian it. When the two of them finally make it between the sheets he has the room all decked out in candles wanting to make her "new first time" something to remember forever.
But alas, Mr Everett has some of his own demons haunting him and only once he can make peace with himself and his family will it be possible for these two to have any sort of future together.
I thought the author did a great job of putting some many horrible events and situations together into an amazing story. It was truly a beautiful thing to see when the pieces of her puzzle start forming what could be her life. Something possible peaceful and beautiful.
I would rate this story 5/5. It was well done. It makes you look at your own life and truly be thankful for what you have. To value the mistakes that you have made because they have made you into the what you are today.
January 17, 2016
The review of this and others HERE
This book was really something and nothing like what I had in mind (and I mean that in the best way possible!)
This book in one sentence: A heartbreaking story that’s actually very hopeful along with some pretty incredible and strong characters...I even wanted to cry a little.
So, I remember reading the description of this book on a trip to B&N. I didn’t buy it right there but I kept thinking about it and gave in and ordered it. What I thought was going to happen was completely different from what actually happened, but I enjoyed this one immensely. I didn’t take notes on this one as much as I do on other ones because I was too invested in the story!
Pretty much: Our main character, Lacey, has been through some hard stuff and I mean some shit. Her family life isn’t the greatest and she doesn’t have the friends nor support she needs or deserves. Not everything about her past is revealed immediately, but believe that when I found out, I wanted to cry out of anger. She also has no love interests...that is until mysterious Everett makes an appearance into her life. He’s not from the small town she lives in he’s a breath of fresh air for her. After he saves her life one night, their friendship beings and he becomes someone she really trusts. But things can’t be that simple right?
So the characters in the book are absolutely incredible. Lacey was a character that I related to immediately. She was one of those people who always managed to put other people before herself and takes care of her younger brother while her mother is a drunk. She also puts up with other crazy people in her life. I think I liked Lacey so much because I understand, well partly anyway, what her family is like. Everett was, in so many words, and outsider who found Lacey interesting from the jump. He has a past and secrets of his own but it’s obvious that he has a thing for Lacey.
The story was interesting throughout, not only referring to the relationship between Lacey and Everett but also the relationship Lacey had with the friends she made. But when it comes to Lacey and Everett, their relationship was developed slowly and nothing was really rushed. There wasn’t much too much smut in this one but what was there was well done as well.
I think this is definitely on of those stories that you can’t really talk about without talking about everything and it’s definitely worth reading in my opinion because this one was hard to put down! This book also talks about important issues and I think it was done pretty well.
This book was really something and nothing like what I had in mind (and I mean that in the best way possible!)
This book in one sentence: A heartbreaking story that’s actually very hopeful along with some pretty incredible and strong characters...I even wanted to cry a little.
So, I remember reading the description of this book on a trip to B&N. I didn’t buy it right there but I kept thinking about it and gave in and ordered it. What I thought was going to happen was completely different from what actually happened, but I enjoyed this one immensely. I didn’t take notes on this one as much as I do on other ones because I was too invested in the story!
Pretty much: Our main character, Lacey, has been through some hard stuff and I mean some shit. Her family life isn’t the greatest and she doesn’t have the friends nor support she needs or deserves. Not everything about her past is revealed immediately, but believe that when I found out, I wanted to cry out of anger. She also has no love interests...that is until mysterious Everett makes an appearance into her life. He’s not from the small town she lives in he’s a breath of fresh air for her. After he saves her life one night, their friendship beings and he becomes someone she really trusts. But things can’t be that simple right?
So the characters in the book are absolutely incredible. Lacey was a character that I related to immediately. She was one of those people who always managed to put other people before herself and takes care of her younger brother while her mother is a drunk. She also puts up with other crazy people in her life. I think I liked Lacey so much because I understand, well partly anyway, what her family is like. Everett was, in so many words, and outsider who found Lacey interesting from the jump. He has a past and secrets of his own but it’s obvious that he has a thing for Lacey.
The story was interesting throughout, not only referring to the relationship between Lacey and Everett but also the relationship Lacey had with the friends she made. But when it comes to Lacey and Everett, their relationship was developed slowly and nothing was really rushed. There wasn’t much too much smut in this one but what was there was well done as well.
I think this is definitely on of those stories that you can’t really talk about without talking about everything and it’s definitely worth reading in my opinion because this one was hard to put down! This book also talks about important issues and I think it was done pretty well.
October 19, 2019
This was just awful. I don't even have time to tell you everything that was wrong with it. ... But it's going to bug me if I don't mention at least some of it.
1. GODDDDDD, THE EDITING. Sentences were repeated word for word one right after the other. The repetition was OUT OF THIS WORLD. The repetition was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Random details were missing or sometimes just inconsistent from paragraph to paragraph. It left me with a lot of questions. Like, so many question.... as in, how was this published? Who allowed it? Are they still employed? And then other plot and character related questions I don't feel like getting into.
2. Lacey's whole helpless victim schtick was irritating. She was constantly saying how she's powerless to do anything to fix her situation or help her brother but she was not. She'd honestly just sit in her car and cry until someone else showed up to fix everything. The entire book she wants to leave Mississippi to start a new life and even when her little brother goes to Oregon to be with their dad's family she stays! For a guy. Who's not even from there! Like, move. Move on. Go away.
3. The entire plot line with Davy being abused! Davy's teacher suspects abuse is happening and does nothing, only scorns Lacey when she sees her at "the club." It is the law, the actual law, that a teacher (who is a MANDATORY REPORTER) must report child abuse or suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services. But she does not! And even if you're not a mandatory reporter, you can report child abuse or suspected child abuse at any time! Lacey just whines that there is nothing she can do to help her baby brother who is being abused and YES THERE IS, YOU DUMMY.
...
There is so much more but I think you get the idea. I didn't hate the romance between Everett and Lacey but everything surrounding it was terrible.
Glad that's done with.
1. GODDDDDD, THE EDITING. Sentences were repeated word for word one right after the other. The repetition was OUT OF THIS WORLD. The repetition was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Random details were missing or sometimes just inconsistent from paragraph to paragraph. It left me with a lot of questions. Like, so many question.... as in, how was this published? Who allowed it? Are they still employed? And then other plot and character related questions I don't feel like getting into.
2. Lacey's whole helpless victim schtick was irritating. She was constantly saying how she's powerless to do anything to fix her situation or help her brother but she was not. She'd honestly just sit in her car and cry until someone else showed up to fix everything. The entire book she wants to leave Mississippi to start a new life and even when her little brother goes to Oregon to be with their dad's family she stays! For a guy. Who's not even from there! Like, move. Move on. Go away.
3. The entire plot line with Davy being abused! Davy's teacher suspects abuse is happening and does nothing, only scorns Lacey when she sees her at "the club." It is the law, the actual law, that a teacher (who is a MANDATORY REPORTER) must report child abuse or suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services. But she does not! And even if you're not a mandatory reporter, you can report child abuse or suspected child abuse at any time! Lacey just whines that there is nothing she can do to help her baby brother who is being abused and YES THERE IS, YOU DUMMY.
...
There is so much more but I think you get the idea. I didn't hate the romance between Everett and Lacey but everything surrounding it was terrible.
Glad that's done with.
February 17, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.)
High school drop-out Lacey lives in her Grandmother’s trailer, and works two jobs to pay more rent than her Grandmother pays. Her mother is always drunk, and her boyfriend Macon likes to be rough with her.
When Lacey meets Everett, she feels a spark, and she likes the way he treats her.
Can Lacey get away from the people that like to hurt her? And what is Everett hiding?
This was an okay contemporary romance, and the ‘love’ scenes were pretty hot!
Lacey was an okay character, and I did feel quite sorry for her and the way she was treated. Macon was pretty awful to her, talk about a cretin, and he really deserved to be in jail for what he did to her. Unfortunately her mother and grandmother were pretty darn awful to her too, and it was so unfair the way everyone treated her like trash.
The storyline in this was okay, but it didn’t really pull me in. The way that Lacey was treated made me feel angry, but otherwise I didn’t feel all that much for the story at all. The sex scenes were pretty hot, and saved this book for me. If it weren’t for the steamy love scenes I wouldn’t have liked this book at all.
The revelation at the end with regards to Everett was interesting, and I was glad that we got a happy ending after all.
Overall; okay contemporary romance with some hot love scenes,
6.5 out of 10.
High school drop-out Lacey lives in her Grandmother’s trailer, and works two jobs to pay more rent than her Grandmother pays. Her mother is always drunk, and her boyfriend Macon likes to be rough with her.
When Lacey meets Everett, she feels a spark, and she likes the way he treats her.
Can Lacey get away from the people that like to hurt her? And what is Everett hiding?
This was an okay contemporary romance, and the ‘love’ scenes were pretty hot!
Lacey was an okay character, and I did feel quite sorry for her and the way she was treated. Macon was pretty awful to her, talk about a cretin, and he really deserved to be in jail for what he did to her. Unfortunately her mother and grandmother were pretty darn awful to her too, and it was so unfair the way everyone treated her like trash.
The storyline in this was okay, but it didn’t really pull me in. The way that Lacey was treated made me feel angry, but otherwise I didn’t feel all that much for the story at all. The sex scenes were pretty hot, and saved this book for me. If it weren’t for the steamy love scenes I wouldn’t have liked this book at all.
The revelation at the end with regards to Everett was interesting, and I was glad that we got a happy ending after all.
Overall; okay contemporary romance with some hot love scenes,
6.5 out of 10.
September 10, 2015
Meh, felt like this was drama for the sake of drama. Lacey's backstory and current storyline was overkill, it basically incorporated every dark soap opera-y cliche. Evil family members ruining her life, sexual abuse, opportunistic "friends", having every bad thing that can happen happen to her, having an even-darker-backstory boyfriend, you name it she is going through it.
The romance was also kinda meh, I mean I can sort of see how she fell in love with Everett, but it's never explained why he approached her in the first place. She never said anything awe-inducing during their first meeting or did anything to make her stand out so I just can't tell where his undying love came from. Maybe it would have helped if we had a steady flow of Everett-POV chapters, instead of a couple thrown in around the end.
Overall, not impressed.
The romance was also kinda meh, I mean I can sort of see how she fell in love with Everett, but it's never explained why he approached her in the first place. She never said anything awe-inducing during their first meeting or did anything to make her stand out so I just can't tell where his undying love came from. Maybe it would have helped if we had a steady flow of Everett-POV chapters, instead of a couple thrown in around the end.
Overall, not impressed.
September 25, 2014
ARC from Netgalley for honest review! I loved the book. Sara Fawkes, you amaze me. I was underwhelmed for half the book but as the characters built and scenes unraveled, I was blown away....alternately cheering, crying, laughing, and falling in love with Everett and Trent. A very good lesson or two is shown to us in this book and young girls have to know this stuff can happen to you. Avoid the bad behavior of anyone who doesn't respect you and if you do any problems let good people help. Very entertaining!
December 27, 2015
This book was featured on my post about my best surprises of 2015!
A really quick paced drama filled book! I did have minor issues with the book, but the good outweighed the bad for sure. Check out my full review here on my blog, where I gave it 4.25 stars!
A really quick paced drama filled book! I did have minor issues with the book, but the good outweighed the bad for sure. Check out my full review here on my blog, where I gave it 4.25 stars!
October 31, 2013
Can't wait to read this ... Cover looks amazing !
Read
June 5, 2015Not for me
January 23, 2023
Breathe Into Me is a story about one woman's journey in finding and accepting kindness in a world that has, once, treated her so coldly. Lacey St. James once lived a happy life. She had a family that loved her and friends she could rely on. Until the day everything changed and she found herself moving with her mother and younger brother into her grandmother's trailer. This is where Lacey's life took a turn for the worst and when she realized, you can't rely on your family when push comes to shove.
Now, Lacey finds herself working two jobs to support herself and her younger brother. Her dreams revolve around one day getting the two of them out of that trailer, and out from under her grandmother's abusive iron thumb. Then maybe she'll be able to finally find her happily ever after where fear and anger isn't a common theme.
But fate has other plans and Lacey finds herself starting to trust for the first time in a long time and wanting to share her deepest darkest secrets with. But the new-comer in town, Everett, has secrets of his own. Secrets that could force the connection between the two to unravel and crumble down all around them.
My Thoughts:
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first picked up Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes. The only thing I knew, this was a new to me author and this paperback has been on my bookshelf for far to long. So initially, I fell in love with this book cover and that's why I bought the book. Little did I know, the story inside was just as breathtaking as the cover.
My heart cried for Lacey St. James. This girl was tough as nails on the outside, but right beneath the surface she craved acceptance and love from the family that should have been on her side from the start. There were times I felt like curling up in a ball and crying for Lacey. My heart hurt for this woman and all she went through in her life. Everett appearing in her life, was a gift from the fates. She could be at her lowest point, and this man would immediately pick her up and help her fight her battles. And that's one reason why I loved Everett so much! This man didn't fight her battles for her. He stood readily by her side until she tapped him in and then he would help her through the obstacles. They were as sweet as storybook romances come. I loved these two together.
Now let's start with why I dropped a star on my rating. I loved everything about Lacey and Everett's story, from the slow burn to the protective streak Everett showed. The only thing I had an issue with was during the end when Lacey made a call to a few long lost characters in order to protect her brother. I would have loved to see more of these characters in the novel after the phone call. I wanted to see Lacey have someone, other than Everett and his friends, that she could turn to when times got tough. I wanted to see more connections with this woman who has lived through too damn much.
It has to be said, there are a few content warnings within these pages in forms of abuse. If you find any method of abuse triggering (physical, sexual, mental, emotional, and child) I highly recommend you go into this one with eyes wide open. There are many form of abuse detailed in this novel, some lightly detailed while others are heavily detailed. Just be aware and be conscious of what's to come. I do love how Lacey and her younger brother find redemption at the end of this novel. I just wish the redemption moment was drawn out and detailed a bit more. I wanted to see 'certain characters' pay more for their crimes.
Overall, I loved Lacey and Everett's romance. Mostly, I loved the fact that Everett became the person, friend, and then lover that Lacey needed in her life. He became her rock, her shoulder to cry on, and her safe place. These two were made for one another. My heart can rest easy now knowing they finally gained their happily ever after. So, if you love novels that live up to the angst factor and will have you smiling one minute and crying the next, you should pick up Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes!
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Now, Lacey finds herself working two jobs to support herself and her younger brother. Her dreams revolve around one day getting the two of them out of that trailer, and out from under her grandmother's abusive iron thumb. Then maybe she'll be able to finally find her happily ever after where fear and anger isn't a common theme.
But fate has other plans and Lacey finds herself starting to trust for the first time in a long time and wanting to share her deepest darkest secrets with. But the new-comer in town, Everett, has secrets of his own. Secrets that could force the connection between the two to unravel and crumble down all around them.
My Thoughts:
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first picked up Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes. The only thing I knew, this was a new to me author and this paperback has been on my bookshelf for far to long. So initially, I fell in love with this book cover and that's why I bought the book. Little did I know, the story inside was just as breathtaking as the cover.
My heart cried for Lacey St. James. This girl was tough as nails on the outside, but right beneath the surface she craved acceptance and love from the family that should have been on her side from the start. There were times I felt like curling up in a ball and crying for Lacey. My heart hurt for this woman and all she went through in her life. Everett appearing in her life, was a gift from the fates. She could be at her lowest point, and this man would immediately pick her up and help her fight her battles. And that's one reason why I loved Everett so much! This man didn't fight her battles for her. He stood readily by her side until she tapped him in and then he would help her through the obstacles. They were as sweet as storybook romances come. I loved these two together.
Now let's start with why I dropped a star on my rating. I loved everything about Lacey and Everett's story, from the slow burn to the protective streak Everett showed. The only thing I had an issue with was during the end when Lacey made a call to a few long lost characters in order to protect her brother. I would have loved to see more of these characters in the novel after the phone call. I wanted to see Lacey have someone, other than Everett and his friends, that she could turn to when times got tough. I wanted to see more connections with this woman who has lived through too damn much.
It has to be said, there are a few content warnings within these pages in forms of abuse. If you find any method of abuse triggering (physical, sexual, mental, emotional, and child) I highly recommend you go into this one with eyes wide open. There are many form of abuse detailed in this novel, some lightly detailed while others are heavily detailed. Just be aware and be conscious of what's to come. I do love how Lacey and her younger brother find redemption at the end of this novel. I just wish the redemption moment was drawn out and detailed a bit more. I wanted to see 'certain characters' pay more for their crimes.
Overall, I loved Lacey and Everett's romance. Mostly, I loved the fact that Everett became the person, friend, and then lover that Lacey needed in her life. He became her rock, her shoulder to cry on, and her safe place. These two were made for one another. My heart can rest easy now knowing they finally gained their happily ever after. So, if you love novels that live up to the angst factor and will have you smiling one minute and crying the next, you should pick up Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes!
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The Staircase Reader
February 19, 2014
I got this book as an ARC in return for an honest review.
Lacey is a victim of circumstance, after the man who she thought was her father died her mother packed up and moved them into her grandmothers trailer in Mississippi. At that time Gretchen St Clare checked out and into the end of a vodka bottle.
Lacey would deal with the brutal attacks of her grandmother, while working two jobs in order to protect her 4 year old brother. Her family circumstance plagued her she goes to bed of a night dreaming of escape. In reality the only person she has other then her family is her abusive boyfriend.
While at the bar her vulgar boyfriend starts to make an inappropriate scene. Lacey can feel the fear build up in her and has no way of controlling it. Until Everett steps in to come to her rescue.
Everett sees Lacey has issues and he vows to himself to be a person she can trust and knock down those walls. He knows how it feels to have life sidetracked and ripped from you. He has his own demons and secrets that could rip him apart.
Both of these characters have a deep want to be able to start a fresh away from the rumors, gossip, hateful comments that people love to believe whether its fact or not doesn't matter.
Everett and Lacey couldn't be from more different backgrounds but in so many ways very similar. This story is sad and some what dark you meet the most disgusting types of people! I can see why Everett and Lacey find solace in each other.
I loved that no matter what was thrown at them, and no matter the mistakes along the way, they were determined to better themselves at any cost.
This book was a rollercoaster of emotion the world the author creates seems very real when you get sucked into the pages of the story. It gets off the ground at a sprint and doesn't stop until the very end. I'm glad this young couple where able to stick out the tough times because after dealing with some very despicable unsavory characters they disserved it.
Very impressed with the writing, and feeling the author was able to convey.
Lacey is a victim of circumstance, after the man who she thought was her father died her mother packed up and moved them into her grandmothers trailer in Mississippi. At that time Gretchen St Clare checked out and into the end of a vodka bottle.
Lacey would deal with the brutal attacks of her grandmother, while working two jobs in order to protect her 4 year old brother. Her family circumstance plagued her she goes to bed of a night dreaming of escape. In reality the only person she has other then her family is her abusive boyfriend.
While at the bar her vulgar boyfriend starts to make an inappropriate scene. Lacey can feel the fear build up in her and has no way of controlling it. Until Everett steps in to come to her rescue.
Everett sees Lacey has issues and he vows to himself to be a person she can trust and knock down those walls. He knows how it feels to have life sidetracked and ripped from you. He has his own demons and secrets that could rip him apart.
Both of these characters have a deep want to be able to start a fresh away from the rumors, gossip, hateful comments that people love to believe whether its fact or not doesn't matter.
Everett and Lacey couldn't be from more different backgrounds but in so many ways very similar. This story is sad and some what dark you meet the most disgusting types of people! I can see why Everett and Lacey find solace in each other.
I loved that no matter what was thrown at them, and no matter the mistakes along the way, they were determined to better themselves at any cost.
This book was a rollercoaster of emotion the world the author creates seems very real when you get sucked into the pages of the story. It gets off the ground at a sprint and doesn't stop until the very end. I'm glad this young couple where able to stick out the tough times because after dealing with some very despicable unsavory characters they disserved it.
Very impressed with the writing, and feeling the author was able to convey.
August 11, 2016
Length: 3628 kindle
Style: New Adult Romance
Story: GOOD
Intimacy level: GOOD
Enjoyment: FAIR
Series: N/A
Price: $3.99
The Good
Love the concept and the characters in this story. The author allowed us to get to know the characters in depth. I like the twist and the secret revolving around Everett. Everett gave me the vibe of wanting to know him, wanting to know his intension and who he is. Lacey is broken. She has an emotional abusive boyfriend and friends who uses her and doesn't care, along with a family that doesn't seem to care about her. This combination, brought out good, enjoyable and readable factors in this story. Everett and Lacey together were a nice combination and I enjoyed the way they encounter each other on and off before really taking the time to get to know each other.
The Bad
I didn't care for the in between of this story. I felt disconnected by a certain chapter then it picks back up, however, by then, I wasn't that intrigue anymore. I felt certain things were focused on that didn't need to be in the story, that it seems to take away from the story. I believe this is a good story, but the flow was where I got off the train a bit early.
Overall, I'm still a fan of the story, just not the flow of certain chapters of this story. Lacey's character was emotionally charge and Everett's character was a good balance for Lacey's character.
RNJ
http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com
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March 24, 2014
This book follows the same New Adult pattern as I've read countless times. There is nothing new here. The story has become so depressing I'm considering putting the news on to hear some happy news. At this time I'm at 72% and don't know if I can read any further.
Some situations in the story have come across as so unbelievable that I just can't continue.
The premise is pretty bleak. Lacey has been verbally and emotionally abused, raped, and still lives in the same town as these other horrible people. She's trying to get on with her life but as she keeps saying - its a small town. As in, everyone knows everyone else or is connected somehow. The part I've just read about her visit to the police station has me so angry because I just can't believe that what happens next and that turn of events would actually happen in real life. Not where rape is concerned. Laws are in place for this no matter where you live.
As I wrote, the pattern is standard NA. The only person Lacey seems to trust is hot new boy in town, Emerson. In time she turns to him to aide her woe.
Along with that I'm also getting tired of the same titles to books like this as in "...into me, ...on me, ...into you, ...around you" etc.
I'm wondering if the more horrific the story, the more stars the book gets. An extra star for the writing. The author does that very well.
I know readers are probably wondering why I still read NA. I'm hoping soon I'll come across and original gem :)
Some situations in the story have come across as so unbelievable that I just can't continue.
The premise is pretty bleak. Lacey has been verbally and emotionally abused, raped, and still lives in the same town as these other horrible people. She's trying to get on with her life but as she keeps saying - its a small town. As in, everyone knows everyone else or is connected somehow. The part I've just read about her visit to the police station has me so angry because I just can't believe that what happens next and that turn of events would actually happen in real life. Not where rape is concerned. Laws are in place for this no matter where you live.
As I wrote, the pattern is standard NA. The only person Lacey seems to trust is hot new boy in town, Emerson. In time she turns to him to aide her woe.
Along with that I'm also getting tired of the same titles to books like this as in "...into me, ...on me, ...into you, ...around you" etc.
I'm wondering if the more horrific the story, the more stars the book gets. An extra star for the writing. The author does that very well.
I know readers are probably wondering why I still read NA. I'm hoping soon I'll come across and original gem :)
April 11, 2014
This story of Lacey and Everett was not exactly what I thought it was going to be when I started. I really thought it was going to be more of a story of stupid secrets and some undercover rich kid sweeping the poor girl off her feet. Sorry, that ain't what is happening here.
As it turns out they both have some serious life changing secrets they are not sharing and of course they will always come to light at the worst times. throw in a psychotic ex-boyfriend that really deserved a beating within an inch of his life and a "friend" that deserved much the same and you have the makings for a good story, BUT those are not really what this is about, this is about two people who fall in love but really don't think they deserve anything good in their lives and the journey to a richly deserved HEA.
The only reason this is not 5 Stars is due to a need of a good editor, not spelling or anything glaring but weird things like figuring out why she was "gripping the steering wheel" while sitting on the couch (nope not a joke, looked like a cut and paste job nobody caught). I still loved the book and the emotional impact was good so obviously it was well written, just a better editor was needed.
4 Stars and if you really get into the story you might not see those errors :) It really was good, read it in 2 sittings.
As it turns out they both have some serious life changing secrets they are not sharing and of course they will always come to light at the worst times. throw in a psychotic ex-boyfriend that really deserved a beating within an inch of his life and a "friend" that deserved much the same and you have the makings for a good story, BUT those are not really what this is about, this is about two people who fall in love but really don't think they deserve anything good in their lives and the journey to a richly deserved HEA.
The only reason this is not 5 Stars is due to a need of a good editor, not spelling or anything glaring but weird things like figuring out why she was "gripping the steering wheel" while sitting on the couch (nope not a joke, looked like a cut and paste job nobody caught). I still loved the book and the emotional impact was good so obviously it was well written, just a better editor was needed.
4 Stars and if you really get into the story you might not see those errors :) It really was good, read it in 2 sittings.
February 14, 2014
Let's just say when Lacey is hammered the whole truth comes out of her, "I'm drunk." It seemed really important to make sure he understood my words, so I spoke slowly. "My mother slapped the sh** out of me, in front of my brother no less, so I stole her vodka and went to the beach." And well Everett he's just a yummy specimen of pure male-ness, "up close I could see the sweat and dirt coating his entire body. Gray smudges of what I guessed were concrete ran up his arms. All I wanted to do was reach out and see if he felt as good as he looked. "My eyes are up here." Even the words that come out of Everett's mouth is purely yummy, "I don't know, I think having you back against a tree would be pretty effing hot." He's always willing to go the extra mile to make sure Lacey knows how much he enjoys himself, "do I need to prove again how much I like it?" he growled, pinning my hands to the pillow beside my head."
April 17, 2014
3.5 Stars
ARC received courtesy of NetGallery.
I want to say I like it and that for an author to bring out emotion in a reader their book has done its job and this book had a lot of emotion.
Ms. Fawkes covered a lot of topics in this book and love was just one of them, I think she basically covered things that most of us only hear about and hope to God we don't have to come across them. And I want to say her writing was very well descriptive and fast paced which is why I basically liked the book.
I felt the story line was a little weak, but that could have been due to the age group of the characters as I'm not an advocate of YA books.
Other than that, I didn't want to put it down as Ms. Fawkes kept the steady flow of the story on the same pace and I found myself wanting to know what happens next. (FYI: due to some parts I had to hug my son)
ARC received courtesy of NetGallery.
I want to say I like it and that for an author to bring out emotion in a reader their book has done its job and this book had a lot of emotion.
Ms. Fawkes covered a lot of topics in this book and love was just one of them, I think she basically covered things that most of us only hear about and hope to God we don't have to come across them. And I want to say her writing was very well descriptive and fast paced which is why I basically liked the book.
I felt the story line was a little weak, but that could have been due to the age group of the characters as I'm not an advocate of YA books.
Other than that, I didn't want to put it down as Ms. Fawkes kept the steady flow of the story on the same pace and I found myself wanting to know what happens next. (FYI: due to some parts I had to hug my son)
March 2, 2014
I have to start with saying how much I love the book cover. Kudos and never change it.
This book is about Lacey and from the beginning I wanted to know more about her.... her back story. She broke my heart allowing herself to be mistreated. I wanted her to be brave and stand up for herself.... she didn't... not right away anyway.
Everett notices her right away and he stand up for her... I love him from the beginning. I didn't know he too had a backstory but he does.
The two of them get together and I that of course makes me HAPPY.
I don't normally like to say much about the book. I will say my heart broke for Lacey and her situation at home. Lacey does finally make friends and have her best interest at heart. I will definitely read more of Sara Fawkes..... so many of the other characters have their story to tell.
«Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book»
This book is about Lacey and from the beginning I wanted to know more about her.... her back story. She broke my heart allowing herself to be mistreated. I wanted her to be brave and stand up for herself.... she didn't... not right away anyway.
Everett notices her right away and he stand up for her... I love him from the beginning. I didn't know he too had a backstory but he does.
The two of them get together and I that of course makes me HAPPY.
I don't normally like to say much about the book. I will say my heart broke for Lacey and her situation at home. Lacey does finally make friends and have her best interest at heart. I will definitely read more of Sara Fawkes..... so many of the other characters have their story to tell.
«Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book»
August 30, 2014
received ARC for review
enjoyable! not sure where to begin with this one, as I was into the book from the beginning. The character development is good, I could see this book becoming a series.
as someone who has never been abused it is hard for me to imagine believing the things Lacey believed. However after helping several abused friends I know this is exactly how they think. It makes the book hit reality and can be used to help abused people work through their mindset. some prefer true story books and others rather not know and identify with characters of a made up story.
you really had to feel for both Lacey and Everett, two different spectrums with similar results. Opposite attract but as much as opposites attract there is always commonality that makes it possible.
enjoyable! not sure where to begin with this one, as I was into the book from the beginning. The character development is good, I could see this book becoming a series.
as someone who has never been abused it is hard for me to imagine believing the things Lacey believed. However after helping several abused friends I know this is exactly how they think. It makes the book hit reality and can be used to help abused people work through their mindset. some prefer true story books and others rather not know and identify with characters of a made up story.
you really had to feel for both Lacey and Everett, two different spectrums with similar results. Opposite attract but as much as opposites attract there is always commonality that makes it possible.
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