Losing My Breath

by J. Rose Black

A Marine never says die. Neither does his princess.

Battle lines are drawn when sheltered debutante Meridian Daly moves across the hall from grumpy former special forces Marine Callan Brand. Situated a bit closer than advertised to 'crime alley', Meridian’s neighbor finds himself grudgingly guarding the pampered princess out of habit. But with her sharp wit and killer curves, he can’t help but surrender to temptation…

When their relationship evolves from casual courtship to something more, Callan finds that Meridian's already discovered his closely-guarded secret. But can he let go of his pride, and tell her the whole truth of who he is and what he’s done—in the name of honor and country?

As Callan’s scars start to reveal themselves, his life spirals beyond the careful control that's helped him survive—and kept those he cares about safe.

From him.

But this tough-in-a-tiara princess won't back down, even in Callan’s darkest hours. And Meridian just might prove to be more tenacious than a never-say-die Marine!

A military romcom that reminds us snipers study “stalking” as part of their specialty. And that asking for help can sometimes take the courage of a hero.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Book Club, Novels, Drama, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance

276 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2023

About the author

J. Rose Black weaves stories about redemption and the transformational power of love - with a few side-helpings of snark. Now an award-winning and Amazon Top 300 chart-topping author, Rose writes about broody alpha males and plucky, no-nonsense women ready to fight for what they believe in. Her novels have been praised for their realistic mental health representations, with narratives offering a unique balance of romance, humor and tougher, real-world issues.

When Rose isn’t deeply immersed in her latest manuscript, she’s working in cyber security and thwarting the next generation of internet bad guys. Out of the office, she’s #Shipping with friends over her favorite, swoon-worthy couples, heading to the gym to battle the great evil that is Unmovable Baby Weight, or complaining about her husband’s addiction to 3D printing. Also: nagging her children to eat something other than cheese.

Reviews

[Heather Mylek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Speechless!! As a wife of an army vet with ptsd this book gave me ALL the feels!!! She wrote this amazing!!!!! I felt so close
To these characters and understand both of them!! I can’t express how wonderful this book is!! I read it in one day! I couldn’t put it down!! Brought tears as I felt how both characters feel!! Highly recommended everyone read!!!

[Sarah Cudlipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much going on in this book, I don't even know where to begin! It had so many things and each and every one of them was done so well and so beautifully. Callan and Meridian have names that are as unique as they are and I loved both of them dearly. This will absolutely be a book I read again and again.

The way the relationship evolved between Callan and Meridian was absolutely beautiful. But their individual character developments and arcs were also incredible. This book will have you going through a wide array of emotions, at least it did me. There were moments I laughed, raged, and cried. And, of course, moments that had me swooning.

There is also such a distinct realism that J. Rose Black writes with, it's truly stunning. Especially when it came to her descriptions of the PTSD flashbacks Callan experienced. The characters are so deep and multidimensional. I feel like this book is so much more than it appears to be or is even described to be. It was absolutely phenomenal and I couldn't put it down once I had started it. Just absolutely exceptional.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I am glad I took the opportunity to read this one.

The basic theme is grumpy/sunshine, I guess. But the deeper theme (for me) is the emotionally crippling PTSD that Callan has. Meridian has her own challenges and backstory that shaped her. So... is it really a great match?

I found this easy to read, but was frustrated by Callan's detachment. His protection and care for Meridian was good, but several times, I questioned why she would stay with someone emotionally unavailable. The last quarter of the book gave me the HEA I wanted for them, and I finished the book satisfied with how they found their forever.

I received my free ARC from Booksirens and voluntarily leave my review.

[Ema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet cute and lovely book.

I enjoyed reading this a lot. I liked Callan and Meridian’s prince and princess banter, it was so cute. They were both very different people who were yet so similar.

For first person readers (like me) keep in mind this is written from the third person’s pov.

The story was amazing and so was the writing. I think it’s a well deserved 4 star read.

I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for the arc!

callan is a former marine, who suffers from ptsd and doesn’t talk much. and he’s a bit of a grump. “bit” being an understatement. and meredian is his new neighbor who is just a ball of sunshine.

they both got off on the wrong foot and, of course, they don’t get along very well. their banter was so fun and humoring to read. callan is one of the best male leads i’ve read about in contemporary romance. i loved seeing so much internal monologue with him and his internal conflict. his ptsd was not sugarcoated or anything like that. the author wrote it very well.

i, myself, love the military and enjoyed this book a lot because of how much it focused on callan being an ex-marine.

their relationship was so beautiful. raw and real. it’s refreshing after seeing so many books focus on physical attraction and not emotional connections. the physical attraction was still there, but it came along with a healthy balance of emotional attraction.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute meet story that grabs you with the first chapter. Callen can’t help but look at the beautiful, soaking wet, but determined woman walking down the hall. When she makes a turn he knows that is his new neighbor. What he didn’t expect was the sassy mouth on her. Meridian has made up her mind to break through her neighbor Callen’s walls and get to know him. What she didn’t expect is what she discovers when she gets through some of them. Will she be able to help him through some hard times and still come out on the good side? I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ian Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing My Breath weaves together the realms of steamy passion, love, and healing that drew me in and affected me. I was captivated by the powerful connection between the ex-marine, bearing the weight of his past, and the ethereal fairy princess, whose light touches his wounded heart.

The portrayal of the marine's struggle with PTSD adds a poignant layer of depth to the narrative. The author handles this sensitive topic with grace and authenticity, shedding light on the complexities of healing and finding solace in the arms of love. It's a testament to the power of true connection.

The nuanced characters carry their own scars and triumphs. The ex-marine exudes a rugged charm that complements the fairy princess's delicate grace. Their journey shows the magic of love and makes you want them to succeed together.

The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of intimacy with heart-pounding tension as the stakes get raised. The writing is evocative and immersive, painting scenes that make you feel like you are in the room. I devoured this gem in one sitting.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing My Breath is by a new to me author, J. Rose Black. There is a lot going on in this novel. Way more than the adorable illustrated cover might suggest.

It is a grumpy-Sunshine love story between Callan and Meridian. Callan is an ex-marine who suffers from PTSD. Meridian is his independent, strong-willed neighbour. The story is told from Callan’s POV exclusively. Very few romance novels are told only from the male perspective. It was refreshing, and I loved it!

I enjoyed the love story and Callan and Meridian’s time together. At times, it was heavy, depicting the horrors that ex military experience and what they can overcome. As the parent of a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, it really spoke to me. It was heartbreaking and heart felt. I really liked it.

I received an ARC for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rece Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flashbacks felt real, you could almost feel what he was feeling through his expressions of not wanting to remember. I liked the banter back and forth and the ever-changing titles “Prissy Neighbor” and “Umbrella Man” that slightly changed with the mood of the first few chapters.

The author does a wonderful job of building the relationship between Callan and Meridian as they both work to win each other over in their own way. Callan’s battle with PTSD is relatable to anyone with a family member in the service and is written extremely well. The pages flew by and the book was truly hard to put down.

Losing My Breath isn’t your typical romance story that has a thin plot, it is suspenseful and surprises you with a deeply rewarding narrative. Must read!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the emotional story of Callan and Meridian. Callan is a former marine who is now suffering from PTSD and this is the main focus of this story. We get to learn all of his struggles and at times I wish there was a little more focus on Meridian’s struggles. Their journey together isn’t without issues in finding their happy ever after and they way their relationship evolved was a joy to read. I found it hard to keep up with the story line at times, not a lot of times I might add, and I’m not sure why as it was well written.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meridian and Callan's Story . . .

Callan Brand is a former Marine suffering from PTSD who tries to keep people from getting close to him. His next-door neighbor, Meridian Daly, won’t give up on him, however. Will her actions aggravate his PTSD? Or will her persistence encourage him to give her a chance and perhaps even try a relationship?

[Mauireadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Losing My Breath is J. Rose Black's first (self)published full-length novel. It tells the story of former special forces marine Callan Brand and his neighbor Meridian Daly. Losing My Breath is not your typical grumpy x sunshine romance, it's more than that. While navigating their relationship, Callan, as well as Meridian have to deal with his PTSD. This insertion of mental health issues in the book is what attracted me to it in the first place, and I can confidently say that it was written really well and painted an interesting picture of how PTSD affects future relationships you're trying to build.

The story is told from Callan's perspective. Now, I must admit that I'm not usually a fan of male POVs and I prefer either female or multiple POVs. Callan seems to be one of the exceptions to this, though. I thoroughly enjoyed following his thoughts and way of thinking. Getting more insight into a head dealing with PTSD is something I would recommend to everyone. I do believe the book would benefit from a double POV as I would've loved getting more insight into how Meridian deals with Callan's traumas. As well as seeing more in-depth what her personality is like since it seemed to be more outgoing than Callan's. It would've been nice to see some situations from both the POV of the person with PTSD and the person who supports them, as this is a challenging situation for both parties.

Now, if you're a fan of some casual banter between characters, you'll definitely love the dynamics between the main characters in Losing My Breath. I found myself laughing at their stupid jokes and this made me fall in love with the characters even more.

I'm also a huge fan of J. Rose Black's writing style. You can tell she's a talented writer. This book was so easy to read and follow. Honestly, if I hadn't been sick, this would've easily been a one-day read. I can't wait to read more of her work.

---

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told exclusively from Callan’s POV and we don’t get to really know either him or Meridian, but the storyline is compelling. Callan is a former Marine Spec Ops sniper and suffers/lives with PTSD that is debilitating at times. He has removed himself from interacting with all but a very few people and is not thrilled with his new hot neighbor.

The effects of PTSD on Callan’s life impact his relationship with Meridian, and causes issues and misunderstandings. While she knows he has nightmares and periods when he shuts down (disassociates) from what or who is around him, she doesn’t really understand from Callan’s
perspective.

I enjoyed the story, but found it hard to ‘enjoy’ a story where one of the main characters had such a struggle. I am thankful the author shed light on the topic of PTSD and didn’t have the impact on Callan suddenly or magically disappear.

Definitely a thought provoking story that tugged at my heartstrings knowing PTSD is a real issue for too many American service personnel and their family and loved ones.

I received a free ARC from the author and Hidden Gems; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callan Brand and Meridian Daly meet in a not meet-cute way. Yet, she attracts his attention from the first glance. And while to Callan, she is his annoying, pain in the… neighbor, he also feels extremely protective of her.

After Callan saves Meridian from a near assault, she slowly works her way into his life. By cooking for him, cleaning for him, and just generally overlooking his grumpiness.

I enjoyed the push and pull of the relationship, the PTSD was a little hard to grasp. Not because it wasn’t realistic, just that so many former military actually suffer from such extreme emotions that they hide from.

But Meridian’s tenacity wins over Callan and they have a happy ending.

[Sasha Degtereva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved the story. It might be a bit emotionally hard (for someone like me with highly sensitivity, who puts every story through their guts and then might feel down because the characters struggled), but the story has the sweetest EHA, so it's worth it.

The story is told from the male character's pov. And it's centered around his PTSD and his feelings toward the fmc. It's sweet, medium hot. I loved it 😊

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callan Brand is everything you’d expect from a former Marine—brooding, rigid, and formidable. Despite being discharged, Callan still treats every disruption like a mission that needs to be carried out. It doesn’t help that his seedy town is high in crime, and the residents of his apartment rely on him like some modern-day superhero. Yes, Callan Brand is skilled at antagonizing the bad guys but keeping everyone else at arm’s length. And no one is more frustrated by his grumpy demeanor than his new neighbor, Meridian “Prissy” Daly. The impossibly sexy legs-for-days woman who waltzes into his life expecting to be friends.

Callan doesn’t do the friendship thing, but Meridian’s persistence (and flirtation) begins to chip away at his frigid heart. He feels a nagging sense of responsibility in her vicinity like she needs constant protection, and the more time he spends around her, the deeper his attraction grows. But Callan’s PTSD is a formidable beast—the mission, the memories—has no place in a relationship. Despite the prospect of Meridian’s soft lips on his, she would never understand his plight.

“Losing My Breath” by J Rose Black is an emotionally driven romance that will quench readers’ thirst for passion. The absorbing novel follows former Marine Callan Brand as he jumps into the uncharted waters of a romantic relationship. He aches to give Meridian everything she deserves. Still, he constantly battles, keeping her at a distance to avoid going all in, enabling her to see the darkness he tries so hard to conceal.

The author has done an excellent job of highlighting the isolation and unshakeable despair of living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Meridian longs to get inside Callan’s head to secure a deeper connection. But it is a dark place, full of horrifying images, voices, and memories so disturbing that Callan fears she’d never be able to handle them. Navigating adult relationships can be challenging at the best of times, but suffering from a mental illness can be an additional obstacle—Callan and Meridian’s love story realistically portrays the all-encompassing effects of PTSD.

Beyond the seriousness of heavy emotions, the author infused a playful banter and palpable chemistry in Callan and Meridian’s interactions. The sarcastic and humorous back-and-forth one-liners between the two added light to the weightier topics explored and aided in building the tension, translating into seriously steamy encounters.

“Losing My Breath” by J. Rose Black certainly lives up to its title because it took mine away (in the best way possible!). The passionate romance had lust and swoon-worthy love scenes. Still, it also set itself apart by exploring blemishes in relationships, such as PTSD. For readers searching for a love story with substance, look no further!

Share this:
Click to shareCallan Brand is everything you’d expect from a former Marine—brooding, rigid, and formidable. Despite being discharged, Callan still treats every disruption like a mission that needs to be carried out. It doesn’t help that his seedy town is high in crime, and the residents of his apartment rely on him like some modern-day superhero. Yes, Callan Brand is skilled at antagonizing the bad guys but keeping everyone else at arm’s length. And no one is more frustrated by his grumpy demeanor than his new neighbor, Meridian “Prissy” Daly. The impossibly sexy legs-for-days woman who waltzes into his life expecting to be friends.

Callan doesn’t do the friendship thing, but Meridian’s persistence (and flirtation) begins to chip away at his frigid heart. He feels a nagging sense of responsibility in her vicinity like she needs constant protection, and the more time he spends around her, the deeper his attraction grows. But Callan’s PTSD is a formidable beast—the mission, the memories—has no place in a relationship. Despite the prospect of Meridian’s soft lips on his, she would never understand his plight.

“Losing My Breath” by J Rose Black is an emotionally driven romance that will quench readers’ thirst for passion. The absorbing novel follows former Marine Callan Brand as he jumps into the uncharted waters of a romantic relationship. He aches to give Meridian everything she deserves. Still, he constantly battles, keeping her at a distance to avoid going all in, enabling her to see the darkness he tries so hard to conceal.

The author has done an excellent job of highlighting the isolation and unshakeable despair of living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Meridian longs to get inside Callan’s head to secure a deeper connection. But it is a dark place, full of horrifying images, voices, and memories so disturbing that Callan fears she’d never be able to handle them. Navigating adult relationships can be challenging at the best of times, but suffering from a mental illness can be an additional obstacle—Callan and Meridian’s love story realistically portrays the all-encompassing effects of PTSD.

Beyond the seriousness of heavy emotions, the author infused a playful banter and palpable chemistry in Callan and Meridian’s interactions. The sarcastic and humorous back-and-forth one-liners between the two added light to the weightier topics explored and aided in building the tension, translating into seriously steamy encounters.

“Losing My Breath” by J. Rose Black certainly lives up to its title because it took mine away (in the best way possible!). The passionate romance had lust and swoon-worthy love scenes. Still, it also set itself apart by exploring blemishes in relationships, such as PTSD. For readers searching for a love story with substance, look no further

[CiCi | bookameme · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different type of romcom, but I loved it.

“This woman. She’s cooking dinner for me? He checked his pulse. No, not dead, yet. But maybe I was wrong about the “prissy princess” thing. People make mistakes. And in my defense, I’ve never seen an angel before.”

Thoughts💡
It took a minute for me to find and appreciate the humor, but once it hit the zingers and one liners landed left and right. I honestly laughed several times.
Tbh, most things in this book took at least a chapter or two for me to really enjoy, especially Callan. He started the book as an intentionally rude, extremely grumpy, very judgmental mansplainer. And when Meridian put him in his place I wanted to high five her. But as the story progressed the grumpy guy won me over. He was funny, looked out for the people in his community, and loved his lady well.
I think some of the things that stuck out to me the most was the single POV, how pragmatic the characters were, and the way that their relationship progressed. It really felt like the story was written by a man, a respectful and progressive one, but the story still had very masculine tones. It was different and refreshing for a romcom.

Fun Bits:
⚜️ Their intimate relationship was a drawn out slow burn that felt like edging
⚜️ The entire story is told from his POV
⚜️ Banter and one liners for days
⚜️ Poetic, and sometimes humors, chapter headers

✨Note✨ Standalone

Content Warning ⚠️
mental illness (PTSD & depression), physical assault & sexual assault (attempted rape) not by the MMC, sexual harassment (again not by the MMC, he was just a mansplainer), war, death, and talk of guns and bombs

Stats📊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨🌶️🌶️🌶️
New Adult RomCom: Marine Veteran, Grumpy x Sunshine, Hurt & Healing, PTSD, Mr Hot and Cold then Zero to Sixty, Depression
Third Person, Past Tense, Single MMC POV

[Kriti Dalmia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing My Breath by J. Rose Black

Thank you, @jroseblack for sending such a beautiful package my way. I am in love with it. Also, the book! The pages of each new chapter are beautiful, and I love them.

A Marine never says die.
Neither does his princess.

Meridian Daly, a sheltered debutante, moves across the hall from Marine Callan Brand, who is guarding her out of habit. Their relationship evolves into something more, and Callan finds his secrets discovered by Merid. As Callan's scars reveal, his life spirals beyond control, but Meridian remains tenacious and might prove to be more tenacious than a never-say-die Marine.

This new adult romance and military fiction is a steamy, emotionally gripping romantic dramedy that delves into the suspenseful romance of Meridian and Callan.

Callan, scarred by a traumatic past, distances himself to avoid trouble. However, a new romantic interest has the potential to transform everything or nothing. He is hot, grumpy, and misunderstood. They start on the wrong foot because he forgets his manners. He is reserved, but it isn't easy for him either.

Both characters have complicated backgrounds, and their journey is filled with passion, humor, and unexpected twists.

I love how each chapter is titled with a line describing what it entails. The story was unique, smooth, heart-touching, honest, and raw. The banter and conversations between them are playful, and you are in for a treat. There are some lines that I love so much; it was a page-turner. It was passionate and emotional.

If you’re a fan of grumpy x sunshine romances with military vibes and a focus on mental health issues, “Losing My Breath” is definitely worth adding to your reading list!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Meridian daily moves in to an apartment building in the not so nice part of town she meets her grumpy neighbor who at first refuses to tell her his name, hello, how are you doing or anything else that polite society says to each other to engage with their fellow human beings. Callen Bran wants no part of it. He is an ex Marine suffering from PTSD and likes to keep to himself he doesn’t even want to reach out to Watt his fellow Marine who tries to make sure he is OK. Despite all his grumbling he really is a good guy he answers the call of the main office when there’s a problem and even saved a baby girl from a burning vehicle after a wreck even though that event cost his own nightmares to resurface even stronger. As far as his neighbor goes he can’t stop the fluttering in the stomach when he sees her and when he reluctantly helps her with the workout tips he hast to touch her and immediately misses it when the lesson is over. He even protects her from a knife wielding stranger but he’s a loner… Right? He likes being alone doesn’t he? The more she is around the more he likes her around but can he overcome all his demons to make meridian is happy as she seems to make him? OK I started this book thinking “another grumpy-sunshine romance… I guess?” I just say this book has the best ending not to mention the storyline that gets to the ending the author respectfully talks about PTSD and there’s even flashbacks and I just absolutely loved this book. If you love contemporary romance with great awesome endings you definitely need to read Losing My Breath by Rose black. I really enjoyed this book! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh...my... that was a roller coaster. I laughed, I cried, and it was really rather steamy in places! I spent most of the book thinking it was a 4 star read. But realised by the end it was a 5!

I didn't want to read the last chapter because I was scared it wouldn't be a happy ending. But of course, I had to read the last chapter so I'd know if it was a happy ending.

Callan's hurt and mental health issues were so well written that I could feel them leaping off the page. The author's descriptions of disassociation exactly match my own personal experience of it. Callan felt so real, J. Rose Black is clearly an expert at characterisation.

Meridian was awesome. She knew what she wanted. She didn't give in to anyway and made sure the relationship happened on her terms and in her time. I love a book with a strong female lead.

There were some tricky themes in the book, but they were dealt with very well. From combat, PTSD, mention of the death of a child (but thankfully no details about that) and an attempted sexual assault. But also friendship, love, compassion, and healing.

I'm not normally a fan of steamy/smutty books. But this didn't feel like that at all.

I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callan, an ex-marine grappling with PTSD, is known for his reticence and cantankerous demeanor. Meredian, his effervescent new neighbor, is the polar opposite, radiating cheerfulness.

Their initial encounter was less than ideal, leading to a rocky relationship. Yet, their exchanges are delightfully amusing and a joy to read. Callan stands out as one of the most compelling male protagonists in the realm of contemporary romance. The narrative offers a deep dive into his psyche, revealing the turmoil within. The portrayal of his PTSD is raw and unfiltered, a testament to the author’s skillful writing.

I found the cover photo and the title very interesting. The blurb was also very captivating and that intrigued me into reading this book. The writing skills of the author are flawless and I was engaged throughout the book without getting bored. Trust me there is no place to get bored at actually. I was so engrossed with the cute banters of the characters.

I will highly recommend this book if you are a fan of contemporary romance. It is a perfect read while drinking a cup of coffee. Grab your copy today. You will definitely love reading it as much as I did.

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨

Loved this book so much, it was the perfect pre-summer read to entertain yourself with that gives off the best romcom and grumpy/sunshine vibes. Meridian is a debutante princess and Callan is a former special forces soldier who moves in beside each other and becomes neighbors.

The grumpy/sunshine trope always delivers and Losing My Breath is just another one that delivers with that trope. It’s so cute, sweet, kinda emotional and filled with so much heart to the brim. I’m very glad I got to experience Meridian and Callan’s love story and the journey they went on together.

It’s a fun and memorable romcom that’s hard not to love and it’s balanced with heartfelt, serious and thoughtful moments and dialogue with characters that you will only find yourself loving so quickly! I enjoyed that Callan’s PTSD storyline was explored so much and how gently the topic was handled, it was definitely handled with care. It’s an enjoyable romance with some good spice and a kinda will they or won’t they vibe to it.

👑 What to expect:
— grumpy/sunshine
— neighbors to lovers
— forced proximity
— debutante fmc
— special forces mmc
— romcom with plenty spice
— irresistible chemistry

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contemporary romance was an ideal pick for this Valentine's week for me. I just loved the well-packed love tale with adequately lighthearted twists and turns. Callan and Meridien, evolving from an entirely different background, get stuck by Cupid. They were head-over-heels for each other. It's lovely to see how deep love can be healing. Callan was afraid of his past and the scars he had, but Meridien loved him anyway, and this made me fall in love with her character. As their love grows, more and more subplots unfold and keep the reader entertained. The characters are very well written, and it seems that the author has kept them more relatable and real to connect more with the readers. The storyline definitely gives you a glimpse of occasional lighthearted content, which makes it more enjoyable. I was immensely engrossed in it. I loved the characters and the smoothness of their delivery. I feel the author has done an incredible job of bringing a beautiful love story to life in a contemporary way.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Losing My Breath is so much more than a love story. Callan has PTSD and reading about his struggles with it really sheds a light on the trauma our veterans experience while fighting for our country. Meridian was so patient and kind and accepting of what he went through and is still going through. We get to read about it through flashbacks that seemed very on point to me.

I enjoyed their connection and seeing it blossom into romance and then love. It was a nice twist to be able to go through her pregnancy and childbirth with them. You don't often get to that point in a romance novel and it felt more complete. These characters are going to stay with me for a while and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful story.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[jennifer langdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a truly enjoyable read.

Former marine Callan, who suffers with PTSD and is closed off, starts falling for Meridian, his new neighbour who is a ray of sunshine, but with scars of her own.
The book takes us through all the complications they have letting go of there trauma, and letting each other in.

I loved their banter and tension. And how much they challenged each other.

The author executed this book perfectly. It was nicely paced, and the character dept was amazing.
Some of the dialogue was absolutely heart gribbing, and others' hearts were pounding.
I would 100% recommend reading his book..

[J.P. McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A crusty young Marine veteran is irritated when a new neighbor moves in. She's attractive, but ditzy and pampered, he thinks. The trauma of his past convinces him that he must keep her (and everyone else) at arm's length. But when he's thrown into the role of protector, he begins to surrender to the inevitable. An enjoyable story with complicated, nuanced characters. A fair amount of steam and spice. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

[Megan Burchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Grumpy-sunshine meets military! I enjoyed this book and really liked how J Rose Black addressed mental health throughout. Check your trigger warnings, as with any book! I think the story of Meridian and Callan is so real because they truly go through ups and downs like a normal couple. This isn’t insta love or even a smooth ride…but true love finds its way in the end! Also, this book contains spice! 2/5 🌶️

[Trent Parkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story!

The princess and the curmudgeon appear to be an unlikely couple. The cranky marine struggles to communicate his feelings. He battles with PTSD. Her need for emotional intimacy exceeds his bandwidth but he loves her. He reminds me of many of my fellow veterans. I found myself cheering for them to make it as a couple.

[Nancie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly moving

Told from the MMC’s perspective, this book moved me in a way I could never anticipate. He’s flawed, damaged, and struggling.
I loved the way the author developed the relationship between Callan and Meridian. He’s the ultimate grump and she’s nothing but sunshine.
This is not your typical romcom, but it’s so much better for that!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy romance forms between New neighbors. Tough ex Marine with PTSD and his new neighbor. Enjoyed story finished in one day...Thank you to J.Rose Black for this ARC for my honest review.