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The Next Breath
A young woman journeys towards self-discovery, healing, and love in this poignant & uplifting tale from award-winning author Laurel Osterkamp.
“I kiss him, choosing love over honesty, which is a choice no one should ever have to make.”
Ten years ago, Robin found true love with Jed, but then she lost him. But when Nick enters her life, she starts to believe in second chances. Yet, as she reluctantly agrees to star in the play Jed wrote for her before his death, Robin must reconcile with old wounds and long buried emotions. As Jed's ghost lingers in her dreams, Robin navigates through heartbreak, loss, and the overwhelming fear of moving on.
Can she find the strength to leave Jed in the past and embrace a future filled with hope and love?
“I kiss him, choosing love over honesty, which is a choice no one should ever have to make.”
Ten years ago, Robin found true love with Jed, but then she lost him. But when Nick enters her life, she starts to believe in second chances. Yet, as she reluctantly agrees to star in the play Jed wrote for her before his death, Robin must reconcile with old wounds and long buried emotions. As Jed's ghost lingers in her dreams, Robin navigates through heartbreak, loss, and the overwhelming fear of moving on.
Can she find the strength to leave Jed in the past and embrace a future filled with hope and love?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2014
92 people are currently reading
1598 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Osterkamp
22 books525 followersLaurel Osterkamp is the award-winning author of roughly a dozen novels, such as Favorite Daughters and the #1 Amazon bestseller, Beautiful Little Furies. She is obsessed with writing and doesn't know how to stop. In addition to her novels, she has short fiction published in literary journals all over the web, writes a monthly column for Writer's Fun Zone, and runs her website, laurellit.com, with book reviews, lesson plans, and writing advice.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
When she's not writing (which is rare) she's often teaching adult ESL or middle school enrichment classes, going running while listening to audiobooks, or educating her daughter about the OG teen soap opera, Beverly Hills 90210. She lives in Minneapolis with a family who loves to argue, and their cats, who love to hiss at each other. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 8, 2015
I was not ready for all that tears.
Ever since I've read The Holdout by Laurel Osterkamp, I've been her fan. The Holdout brought me some laughs and a lot of life lessons, The Next Breath isn't that different. Though, in here, there's tears. Lots of them.
Osterkamp's writing always gets to me. Her characters are authentic and incredibly real. Robin is someone I can identify with, which surprises me since she's a lot older than me. Nick and Jed are both well written characters as well and both wonderful. I can feel and see Robin's love for them. I'm glad that I feel like I experienced it too because of Osterkamp's writing. I was with Robin all throughout the novel.
The story is... wow. Its deep and absolutely heartbreaking. Heartbreaking in some way but moving in a lot of ways. Robin's story is something you read slowly so that you can feel everything she's saying. Its engaging and I can't help but devour it all.
The Next Breath is about loss and moving on. About choosing between holding back.. or moving forward. Laurel Osterkamp weaved a novel about love and family and she done it wonderfully! I'm blown away. Nothing but praise from me!!
You can also read my review here
Ever since I've read The Holdout by Laurel Osterkamp, I've been her fan. The Holdout brought me some laughs and a lot of life lessons, The Next Breath isn't that different. Though, in here, there's tears. Lots of them.
Osterkamp's writing always gets to me. Her characters are authentic and incredibly real. Robin is someone I can identify with, which surprises me since she's a lot older than me. Nick and Jed are both well written characters as well and both wonderful. I can feel and see Robin's love for them. I'm glad that I feel like I experienced it too because of Osterkamp's writing. I was with Robin all throughout the novel.
The story is... wow. Its deep and absolutely heartbreaking. Heartbreaking in some way but moving in a lot of ways. Robin's story is something you read slowly so that you can feel everything she's saying. Its engaging and I can't help but devour it all.
The Next Breath is about loss and moving on. About choosing between holding back.. or moving forward. Laurel Osterkamp weaved a novel about love and family and she done it wonderfully! I'm blown away. Nothing but praise from me!!
You can also read my review here
February 10, 2024
A heartwarming tale of loss and growing up
This story is beautiful in every way. It runs on two different times, the year 2000 and then 2013. The year 2000 is where Robin learns about loss and love. Her theater career is only beginning when she meets Jed. Even though Jed is a player, I could understand his behavior. I even cried when the story turned sad.
Two timelines, that are usually confusing, were incorporated smoothly by the author. I loved the back and forth as it helped relate to the characters and how it shaped them.
It is a wonderful story to curl up with for romance lovers.
This story is beautiful in every way. It runs on two different times, the year 2000 and then 2013. The year 2000 is where Robin learns about loss and love. Her theater career is only beginning when she meets Jed. Even though Jed is a player, I could understand his behavior. I even cried when the story turned sad.
Two timelines, that are usually confusing, were incorporated smoothly by the author. I loved the back and forth as it helped relate to the characters and how it shaped them.
It is a wonderful story to curl up with for romance lovers.
August 20, 2025
So grateful to have gotten this book as an ARC from Hawthorn & Asher!
This story centers around a male character that has cystic fibrosis and his love story with a college girl who is majoring in performing arts.
Their story was emotional and had many ups and downs. The writing in this was great and stirred up so many feelings! The ending had me in tears!
Solid 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️
This story centers around a male character that has cystic fibrosis and his love story with a college girl who is majoring in performing arts.
Their story was emotional and had many ups and downs. The writing in this was great and stirred up so many feelings! The ending had me in tears!
Solid 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️
June 4, 2015
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The writing alone drew me in right away. I loved the author's use of fun, unique analogies. I enjoyed the various characters with their different personalities and meaningful conversations. I especially enjoyed reading Robin's dreams; the way they were all jumbled, like dreams usually are, and how she was struggling to make sense of her life through them. I loved the play sequences within this story and how emotionally jarring and profound they were. Wow!
I found myself drawn in right away into Robin's life; her current life with Nick, her past life with Jed, her dream life and the play that mirrored her life. Laurel Osterkamp was able to weave a compelling story of one woman learning to deal with her past so she could have a future. Her past and present collided when she agreed to star in the play, The Next Breath.
I'm not one that normally reads books dealing with terminal illnesses or diseases but in this book it was done so well, not at all sappy, cheesy or overblown with dripping emotions. It was realistic and actually not the main focus of the story. I liked that! Although, the story was quite emotional for me during the play sequences toward the end (you can't help but fall in love with Jed!)
My rating: 4-1/2 stars!
I received this book for free through LibraryThing's member giveaway.
I found myself drawn in right away into Robin's life; her current life with Nick, her past life with Jed, her dream life and the play that mirrored her life. Laurel Osterkamp was able to weave a compelling story of one woman learning to deal with her past so she could have a future. Her past and present collided when she agreed to star in the play, The Next Breath.
I'm not one that normally reads books dealing with terminal illnesses or diseases but in this book it was done so well, not at all sappy, cheesy or overblown with dripping emotions. It was realistic and actually not the main focus of the story. I liked that! Although, the story was quite emotional for me during the play sequences toward the end (you can't help but fall in love with Jed!)
My rating: 4-1/2 stars!
I received this book for free through LibraryThing's member giveaway.
December 13, 2024
I've still not really got to grips with what genre this is - but whatever it is, it's becoming a firm favourite for me this year!
Robin and Nick are working their way to committing more fully to each other - but Robin is hesitant after having been in love before.... and lost.
I love the way we follow this storyline through the different timelines, following the story of the present where Robin is trying to make sense of her new relationship and fighting the guilt she carries around. Then we also follow the story of Robin's first love story (with Jed) which quite honestly didn't go as I'd expected and totally ripped my heart out and chewed it up!
Robin and Jed's story plays out via the past chapters - how they met and how their relationship develops over time.
But we also see the aftermath of those events play out in Robin's present in the form of her dreams which are brought on by the guilt and betrayal she feels by moving on with someone else.
I don't want to give too much storyline away, but suffice to say that I was in pieces.
This was such an emotional rollercoaster and I was all there for it!
The characters jumped off the page and firmly embedded themselves in my heart and even days later (yes, it took me a while to be able to write this....) I'm still thinking about them and processing all that happened.
The writing style was just beautiful and I'm already hunting out more reads by this author because I am totally obsessed!
Robin and Nick are working their way to committing more fully to each other - but Robin is hesitant after having been in love before.... and lost.
I love the way we follow this storyline through the different timelines, following the story of the present where Robin is trying to make sense of her new relationship and fighting the guilt she carries around. Then we also follow the story of Robin's first love story (with Jed) which quite honestly didn't go as I'd expected and totally ripped my heart out and chewed it up!
Robin and Jed's story plays out via the past chapters - how they met and how their relationship develops over time.
But we also see the aftermath of those events play out in Robin's present in the form of her dreams which are brought on by the guilt and betrayal she feels by moving on with someone else.
I don't want to give too much storyline away, but suffice to say that I was in pieces.
This was such an emotional rollercoaster and I was all there for it!
The characters jumped off the page and firmly embedded themselves in my heart and even days later (yes, it took me a while to be able to write this....) I'm still thinking about them and processing all that happened.
The writing style was just beautiful and I'm already hunting out more reads by this author because I am totally obsessed!
May 16, 2025
The Next Breath is written as a dual timeline story taking place in 2000 and 2013. I thought the story had so much potential but there was so much disconnect and left me confused and wanting more at times. I thought the book was ok but I just couldn’t love it even though I wanted to. It does an amazing job with educating on the topic of cystic fibrosis and the struggles that they deal with.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Dual Timeline
-Second Love
-Cystic Fibrosis Rep
-Love and Loss
Robin has spent the last 11 years trying to not get too close in her relationships because she is still holding on to feelings from her past. But to help save her best friend’s theater, she agrees to take part in the play her late boyfriend Jed wrote with wishes it would get performed.
The timeline lets us see into Robins college years and how she med Jed. It also dives into detail the struggles he dealt with and how their relationship grew. In the present we get to see Robin struggling with letting go of feelings for Jed and how she can let her feelings for her current boyfriend Nick bloom.
Overall I thought it was a sweet story. But if you have had negative experiences with CF in the past you may be careful with this book. I lost my best friend to CF in 2017 and parts of this story were hard for me to get through. So just warning.
I was given an early reading copy of this book before release. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Dual Timeline
-Second Love
-Cystic Fibrosis Rep
-Love and Loss
Robin has spent the last 11 years trying to not get too close in her relationships because she is still holding on to feelings from her past. But to help save her best friend’s theater, she agrees to take part in the play her late boyfriend Jed wrote with wishes it would get performed.
The timeline lets us see into Robins college years and how she med Jed. It also dives into detail the struggles he dealt with and how their relationship grew. In the present we get to see Robin struggling with letting go of feelings for Jed and how she can let her feelings for her current boyfriend Nick bloom.
Overall I thought it was a sweet story. But if you have had negative experiences with CF in the past you may be careful with this book. I lost my best friend to CF in 2017 and parts of this story were hard for me to get through. So just warning.
I was given an early reading copy of this book before release. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
July 7, 2025
The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp is a beautifully layered story about grief, healing, and the complicated path to loving again.
Robin is still haunted literally and emotionally by the memory of Jed, the love she lost too soon. Now, years later, she’s faced with starring in the very play he wrote for her before his death. Enter Nick: steady, kind, very much alive and maybe her second chance at happiness. But how do you move forward when the past still whispers your name in dreams?
Laurel Osterkamp writes with a raw honesty that makes every moment feel intimate and true. Robin’s inner world is messy, real, and painfully relatable as she struggles with guilt, memory, and the fear of letting someone new in. The romance is sweet but complicated, built on slow trust rather than instant sparks, and the emotional beats hit hard in all the right places.
There’s no sugarcoating here, just a heartfelt exploration of love’s resilience and the quiet bravery it takes to breathe again after loss.
Perfect for fans of:
💔 Love after loss
🎭 Theater and second chances
🕊 Healing arcs that feel earned
💬 Thoughtful, emotional writing with a touch of hope
⚡️Thank you Author Marketing Experts and Laurel Osterkamp for sharing this book with me!
Robin is still haunted literally and emotionally by the memory of Jed, the love she lost too soon. Now, years later, she’s faced with starring in the very play he wrote for her before his death. Enter Nick: steady, kind, very much alive and maybe her second chance at happiness. But how do you move forward when the past still whispers your name in dreams?
Laurel Osterkamp writes with a raw honesty that makes every moment feel intimate and true. Robin’s inner world is messy, real, and painfully relatable as she struggles with guilt, memory, and the fear of letting someone new in. The romance is sweet but complicated, built on slow trust rather than instant sparks, and the emotional beats hit hard in all the right places.
There’s no sugarcoating here, just a heartfelt exploration of love’s resilience and the quiet bravery it takes to breathe again after loss.
Perfect for fans of:
💔 Love after loss
🎭 Theater and second chances
🕊 Healing arcs that feel earned
💬 Thoughtful, emotional writing with a touch of hope
⚡️Thank you Author Marketing Experts and Laurel Osterkamp for sharing this book with me!
January 23, 2025
"Death hasn't stopped me from loving you."
I lost a boyfriend suddenly in 2013 and the way this book was written I had all of the feels. There were times I had to put it down because of how real many moments felt. From trying to be strong and not cry to having no control. To feeling the guilt and fear of moving on and forgetting the memories of those we love.
*
This story is beautiful and heartbreaking. It flips between the year 2000 and 2013; the past with Robin and Jed and the current with Robin and Nick. Before Jed passed he wrote a play, The Next Breath, a play for Robin to star in. Nick struggles with feeling like he is competing against a ghost because of this play. This causes a riff in their relationship and Robin continues to tries to show him that it is not true.
*
I secretly LOVE the Flash Dance girl as a runner myself
I lost a boyfriend suddenly in 2013 and the way this book was written I had all of the feels. There were times I had to put it down because of how real many moments felt. From trying to be strong and not cry to having no control. To feeling the guilt and fear of moving on and forgetting the memories of those we love.
*
This story is beautiful and heartbreaking. It flips between the year 2000 and 2013; the past with Robin and Jed and the current with Robin and Nick. Before Jed passed he wrote a play, The Next Breath, a play for Robin to star in. Nick struggles with feeling like he is competing against a ghost because of this play. This causes a riff in their relationship and Robin continues to tries to show him that it is not true.
*
I secretly LOVE the Flash Dance girl as a runner myself
September 17, 2025
This is an emotional, beautiful story about Robin who had love with Jed, but then lost him. She is now with Nick but is afraid of truly moving on.
It is a dual timeline story: In 2000, when she meets Jed and in 2013 when she is now with Nick. It's a very realistic portrayal of life, love and a relationship when dealing with a terminal illness.
I really like the author's writing style. It's very beautifully written and captures the realities of illnesses and how it affects everyone.
I will definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is a dual timeline story: In 2000, when she meets Jed and in 2013 when she is now with Nick. It's a very realistic portrayal of life, love and a relationship when dealing with a terminal illness.
I really like the author's writing style. It's very beautifully written and captures the realities of illnesses and how it affects everyone.
I will definitely read more by this author.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 30, 2025
Book Tour & Review
Publisher : Hawthorne & Aster
This book was well written and an honor to arc read. Robin has such a big heart where Jed is wreckless a player this story goes on two separate time-lines but it was very easy to understand why she did it this way romance lovers this is for you but bring your tissue box Robin's life with nick & Jed and her career Nick eventually gets full trust from Robin it may take a minute but it happens and it wasn't easyvthis book has happy tears and sad tears thanks for the opportunity to read!
Publisher : Hawthorne & Aster
This book was well written and an honor to arc read. Robin has such a big heart where Jed is wreckless a player this story goes on two separate time-lines but it was very easy to understand why she did it this way romance lovers this is for you but bring your tissue box Robin's life with nick & Jed and her career Nick eventually gets full trust from Robin it may take a minute but it happens and it wasn't easyvthis book has happy tears and sad tears thanks for the opportunity to read!
July 24, 2025
Though I enjoyed this book it did not resonate emotionally the way I expected.
The story is told is dual timelines. Current and 12 years earlier when the MC was in college. I liked the chemistry between the MC and her current boyfriend. I didn’t feel that same chemistry between her and the college BF.
I did think the education about cystic fibrosis was good.
The parts that were the play did not connect with me and I did not understand the role that flash dance girl played.
Overall, I liked this story and it was easy to keep reading. However, I was expecting a tear jerker and for some reason it was not that for me.
The story is told is dual timelines. Current and 12 years earlier when the MC was in college. I liked the chemistry between the MC and her current boyfriend. I didn’t feel that same chemistry between her and the college BF.
I did think the education about cystic fibrosis was good.
The parts that were the play did not connect with me and I did not understand the role that flash dance girl played.
Overall, I liked this story and it was easy to keep reading. However, I was expecting a tear jerker and for some reason it was not that for me.
June 4, 2024
This novel is an absolute heartbreaker. The FMC is navigating her life after loss with a dash of fear of moving on. This book follows Robin's journey as she tries to embrace her future with Nick with the lingering guilt of leaving Jed behind.
This was my first time reading from this author and I’ll definitely be looking for others that they’ve written. I truly enjoyed the writing and characterization.
This was my first time reading from this author and I’ll definitely be looking for others that they’ve written. I truly enjoyed the writing and characterization.
May 30, 2025
Such a bittersweet and complicated romance! This is not a easy book to read, especially if you are still grieving from your loved ones, there are many chapters descripting the painful, slow dying of a gifted young college student that made me tearing up. But I enjoyed the story immensely, both boyfriends of Robin are kind, talented and very likable, and I can feel the soul searing pain of losing your first true love at such a tender age. The author smartly balanced the bitterness with a dash of hope to make the book not just a tearjerker.
May 13, 2025
The Next Breath is a poignant, heartfelt journey through grief, healing, and the quiet resilience it takes to love again. Robin’s story is written with such emotional honesty that I found myself completely immersed—feeling her sorrow, her hope, and every hesitant step forward.
Laura Osterkamp’s storytelling is raw and beautiful, capturing the complexities of loss and the courage it takes to move on.
This novel is a tender, moving reminder that sometimes, the hardest goodbyes lead to the most unexpected beginnings. A must-read for anyone who loves emotionally rich, hopeful love stories.
Laura Osterkamp’s storytelling is raw and beautiful, capturing the complexities of loss and the courage it takes to move on.
This novel is a tender, moving reminder that sometimes, the hardest goodbyes lead to the most unexpected beginnings. A must-read for anyone who loves emotionally rich, hopeful love stories.
November 20, 2014
I was really excited when I got invited to read The Next Breath. This book is technically a sequel to another book by Laurel Osterkamp that I really enjoyed, The Holdout, but it can be read as a standalone. It provides enough refreshers of what happened for readers to get the gist. (That being said, you should still totally read it. You can check out my review here but I digress). I'm happy to say that makes this book the third by this author that I've thoroughly enjoyed.
Osterkamp has a great way of writing her novels so that you're emotionally connected to them, even if you share little in common with the characters (like me). You learn to care about them and get emotionally entangled in their life choices. You cheer on some and you wince at others, but regardless, the connection is genuinely there. I really wanted Robin to sort herself out and feel better about her struggles throughout the story, and I was frequently cheering her on.
The Next Breath also weaves together moments that are cleverly funny and make you snicker aloud and moments that make you really sad and mopey. I think that's a great thing in a book, and it's not something I personally often find done well. I think this is part of what makes this work of fiction so realistic. Like life, it's not all depressing or all slapstick. It's a blend of emotions that you feel even though you're not exactly sure why you're feeling that way at that particular moment in time.
This book is comprised of scenes that are set in the present voice, flashbacks to when the main character, Robin, was in college, and scenes/snippets taken from her old (or is it?) flame Jed's play that she is presently starring in at her best friend's theater company. Because Osterkamp's writing moves so smoothly, and the segments are labelled with dates, it is easy to differentiate what time span you're reading from.
This is a work of contemporary realistic fiction that anyone can appreciate, especially if you love romantic elements in your stories. It's a pretty fast read because you'll be hooked once you feel yourself attach to the characters involved.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions by CBB Book Promotions. Thanks! This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose
Osterkamp has a great way of writing her novels so that you're emotionally connected to them, even if you share little in common with the characters (like me). You learn to care about them and get emotionally entangled in their life choices. You cheer on some and you wince at others, but regardless, the connection is genuinely there. I really wanted Robin to sort herself out and feel better about her struggles throughout the story, and I was frequently cheering her on.
The Next Breath also weaves together moments that are cleverly funny and make you snicker aloud and moments that make you really sad and mopey. I think that's a great thing in a book, and it's not something I personally often find done well. I think this is part of what makes this work of fiction so realistic. Like life, it's not all depressing or all slapstick. It's a blend of emotions that you feel even though you're not exactly sure why you're feeling that way at that particular moment in time.
This book is comprised of scenes that are set in the present voice, flashbacks to when the main character, Robin, was in college, and scenes/snippets taken from her old (or is it?) flame Jed's play that she is presently starring in at her best friend's theater company. Because Osterkamp's writing moves so smoothly, and the segments are labelled with dates, it is easy to differentiate what time span you're reading from.
This is a work of contemporary realistic fiction that anyone can appreciate, especially if you love romantic elements in your stories. It's a pretty fast read because you'll be hooked once you feel yourself attach to the characters involved.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions by CBB Book Promotions. Thanks! This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose
November 26, 2014
The Next Breath is a wonderful story about love, loss, struggling with the past, acceptance, and learning to move forward.
Author Laurel Osterkamp weaves an engaging tale set in West Des Moines, Iowa, and told in the first person narrative by Robin Bricker, who takes the reader on an emotional journey that alternates from the past to the present, as she struggles with the memories of a traumatic past relationship that prevents her from moving forward with her current relationship.
The reader was first introduced to Robin in The Holdout, where she competed on a Survival style reality tv show. While on the show's jury, Robin meets Nick Davies and a romantic relationship develops. Now back home in West Des Moines, Robin is a fashion designer who owns a second-hand thrift shop, and is a local theater company actress on the side. Robin struggles with personal demons from her past that is hindering her from taking the next step with Nick. Her struggles come from her long held feelings for her ex-college boyfriend and playwright, Jed Reardon, whose play "The Next Breath," was one that he wrote for her, and she is now preparing to perform. Robin takes the reader along for the ride as her emotional story unfolds in an alternating timeline of her past relationship with Jed while in college back in 2000, and a decade later in the present time of 2013, where she is in a relationship with Nick. The haunting memories of her relationship with Jed has made Robin insecure and afraid to commit to Nick, and as the story delves into Robin's past, it becomes clear why it has such a heartbreaking hold on her.
The Next Breath has a nice mixture of humor and emotions, you can't help but embrace Robin's journey as she tries to sort out her feelings, put her past to rest, and move forward with her life. It is only when Robin learns to take the next breath and let go of the man that she once loved, that she can fully embrace the man that she now loves. This is a wonderful story of love, loss, acceptance, and renewal.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by CBB Book Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Author Laurel Osterkamp weaves an engaging tale set in West Des Moines, Iowa, and told in the first person narrative by Robin Bricker, who takes the reader on an emotional journey that alternates from the past to the present, as she struggles with the memories of a traumatic past relationship that prevents her from moving forward with her current relationship.
The reader was first introduced to Robin in The Holdout, where she competed on a Survival style reality tv show. While on the show's jury, Robin meets Nick Davies and a romantic relationship develops. Now back home in West Des Moines, Robin is a fashion designer who owns a second-hand thrift shop, and is a local theater company actress on the side. Robin struggles with personal demons from her past that is hindering her from taking the next step with Nick. Her struggles come from her long held feelings for her ex-college boyfriend and playwright, Jed Reardon, whose play "The Next Breath," was one that he wrote for her, and she is now preparing to perform. Robin takes the reader along for the ride as her emotional story unfolds in an alternating timeline of her past relationship with Jed while in college back in 2000, and a decade later in the present time of 2013, where she is in a relationship with Nick. The haunting memories of her relationship with Jed has made Robin insecure and afraid to commit to Nick, and as the story delves into Robin's past, it becomes clear why it has such a heartbreaking hold on her.
The Next Breath has a nice mixture of humor and emotions, you can't help but embrace Robin's journey as she tries to sort out her feelings, put her past to rest, and move forward with her life. It is only when Robin learns to take the next breath and let go of the man that she once loved, that she can fully embrace the man that she now loves. This is a wonderful story of love, loss, acceptance, and renewal.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by CBB Book Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
December 5, 2014
I’ve read The Holdout by Laurel Osterkamp but that’s the only one of her books I had read so far. The Next Breath has the same characters as The Holdout but stands completely on it’s own. I was excited to get back to these characters I’ve gotten to know a little and see some things from Robin’s past that I hadn’t known about before.
In this book Robin is dealing with a lost love from when she was in college. She’s starring in the play he wrote and she’s dealing with a lot of emotions that she had tucked away. We get bits of the time period when she was meeting, getting to know and then dating Jed. We are there with her and see her emotions as she deals with falling in love with him, dealing with his devastating disease (Cystic Fibrosis) and then losing him. In modern day she’s dating the amazing and awesome Nick but he doesn’t know about Jed and she’s struggling to tell him. There are some slight relationship issues between them as Robin is working through things. It was hard to predict how things would work out for them, but I was rooting for them because they just feel like they are meant to be together.
This is an emotional read, there were parts where I cried. It was done incredibly well though because the dark parts aren’t long and we get a reprieve when we flash back to current time. I liked that I loved both guys and understood why she had fallen for both. Don’t worry, there is no love triangle! She doesn’t have to decide between the two, she just has to learn how to let go of the past and live in the now.
Robin is strong but I understood her pain. I really connected with everything she was going through. Everything she had gone through.
Though an emotional read it really is a beautiful one. It’s about normal average people and there are subtle messages through the book that really make you stop and think. I read this book in one day because once I started I didn’t want to stop. I highly recommend!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
In this book Robin is dealing with a lost love from when she was in college. She’s starring in the play he wrote and she’s dealing with a lot of emotions that she had tucked away. We get bits of the time period when she was meeting, getting to know and then dating Jed. We are there with her and see her emotions as she deals with falling in love with him, dealing with his devastating disease (Cystic Fibrosis) and then losing him. In modern day she’s dating the amazing and awesome Nick but he doesn’t know about Jed and she’s struggling to tell him. There are some slight relationship issues between them as Robin is working through things. It was hard to predict how things would work out for them, but I was rooting for them because they just feel like they are meant to be together.
This is an emotional read, there were parts where I cried. It was done incredibly well though because the dark parts aren’t long and we get a reprieve when we flash back to current time. I liked that I loved both guys and understood why she had fallen for both. Don’t worry, there is no love triangle! She doesn’t have to decide between the two, she just has to learn how to let go of the past and live in the now.
Robin is strong but I understood her pain. I really connected with everything she was going through. Everything she had gone through.
Though an emotional read it really is a beautiful one. It’s about normal average people and there are subtle messages through the book that really make you stop and think. I read this book in one day because once I started I didn’t want to stop. I highly recommend!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
November 25, 2014
I didn’t really know what I could expect about ‘The Next Breath’. After reading the description I really couldn’t imagine what this book would be really about. I expected to read about a girl struggling with her feelings for two different guys, I expected hurt feelings and tears but what I didn’t expect was to be completely blown away by this story. From the moment I started reading this book I was completely compelled. This story is told from Robin’s point of view and alternates from the present Robin, to past, college girl, Robin and I loved reading it like this. I haven’t read any previous book by Laurel Osterkamp so Robin was new to me and I loved learning about the girl she was before.
The thing about ‘The Next Breath’ was that it’s a book filled with a lot of emotions. And Laurel Osterkamp was completely able to make me feel the emotions Robin was going through. I even cried at some of the moments in this book. This book made me feel so many different things and I really loved every part of it. Being a Nurse, and having worked on a Pulmonary Care Unit for a little while made me able to almost hear Jed’s breathing when he was struggling. I could totally imagine the Mayo Clinic and the way Robin would be watching Jed sleep. And I could totally understand the nurses frustration when Jed accidently ripped his new stitches (LOL!!).
But the thing I loved most about this book was Robin’s relationship with Nick. I loved the way they found each other. And I was totally rooting for Nick. He just seemed like the perfect guy for Robin. Especially since his life hadn’t been perfect either and the way he seemed to care so much for Robin.
This book is going to stay with me for a long while. I loved Laurel’s writing and I hope to read more of her books. This book is definitely a must- read if you ask me. I promise you, you will be completely blown away by this one ;)
The thing about ‘The Next Breath’ was that it’s a book filled with a lot of emotions. And Laurel Osterkamp was completely able to make me feel the emotions Robin was going through. I even cried at some of the moments in this book. This book made me feel so many different things and I really loved every part of it. Being a Nurse, and having worked on a Pulmonary Care Unit for a little while made me able to almost hear Jed’s breathing when he was struggling. I could totally imagine the Mayo Clinic and the way Robin would be watching Jed sleep. And I could totally understand the nurses frustration when Jed accidently ripped his new stitches (LOL!!).
But the thing I loved most about this book was Robin’s relationship with Nick. I loved the way they found each other. And I was totally rooting for Nick. He just seemed like the perfect guy for Robin. Especially since his life hadn’t been perfect either and the way he seemed to care so much for Robin.
This book is going to stay with me for a long while. I loved Laurel’s writing and I hope to read more of her books. This book is definitely a must- read if you ask me. I promise you, you will be completely blown away by this one ;)
October 6, 2014
Once again I’m coming down from the high of reading a book by Laurel Osterkamp. This novel, THE NEXT BREATH, is the story of Robin Bricker, her loves, her losses. She loves Nick Davies. But—and it's a central but—she cannot help thinking about Jed, her college sweetheart and the playwright of “The Next Breath” which Robin is rehearsing and starring in.
The book is aptly titled. It left me breathless with wonder at the story and the structure, the themes of love and loss inextricably bound in an amazing back and forth between two phases of Robin’s life. The story is told by Robin and the time seesaws between Nick, the story’s present, and Jed, its past.
As is usual with Osterkamp’s novels, some scenes are achingly sad while others are snort-rippingly funny. But throughout, the plot is full of life and surprise. Events move swiftly, driven by characters who are so real and complex they jumped from my Kindle screen. Of course I loved Robin; but I also admired Catherine and Robin’s father, as well as Nick and Jed, and the minor characters, Jack and Isobel. And I loved meeting characters whom I’d encountered for the first time in Laurel Osterkamp's earlier works.
If you like real love stories about breathing, loving, fumbling characters, if you crave plots that will sweep you away, then don’t miss THE NEXT BREATH.
The book is aptly titled. It left me breathless with wonder at the story and the structure, the themes of love and loss inextricably bound in an amazing back and forth between two phases of Robin’s life. The story is told by Robin and the time seesaws between Nick, the story’s present, and Jed, its past.
As is usual with Osterkamp’s novels, some scenes are achingly sad while others are snort-rippingly funny. But throughout, the plot is full of life and surprise. Events move swiftly, driven by characters who are so real and complex they jumped from my Kindle screen. Of course I loved Robin; but I also admired Catherine and Robin’s father, as well as Nick and Jed, and the minor characters, Jack and Isobel. And I loved meeting characters whom I’d encountered for the first time in Laurel Osterkamp's earlier works.
If you like real love stories about breathing, loving, fumbling characters, if you crave plots that will sweep you away, then don’t miss THE NEXT BREATH.
May 25, 2024
The Next Breathe
By Laurel Osterkamp
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if you enjoy:
- Love and losing someone
- Chronic medical condition
- Dual POV from past and present
Robin is struggling with the loss of losing her first love and allowing herself to love again. Throughout the book we jump from the past with her relationship with Jed her first love to the present with her current love Nick. It helped to show the relationship and impact that Jed had on Robin and her struggle to allow herself to be happy.
I enjoyed reading about a chronic illness and how it affects not only the patient but also their family. I shred a few tears so be prepared. I did however struggle with the play skit part that’s where it lost me.
By Laurel Osterkamp
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if you enjoy:
- Love and losing someone
- Chronic medical condition
- Dual POV from past and present
Robin is struggling with the loss of losing her first love and allowing herself to love again. Throughout the book we jump from the past with her relationship with Jed her first love to the present with her current love Nick. It helped to show the relationship and impact that Jed had on Robin and her struggle to allow herself to be happy.
I enjoyed reading about a chronic illness and how it affects not only the patient but also their family. I shred a few tears so be prepared. I did however struggle with the play skit part that’s where it lost me.
March 26, 2016
This story draws the reader in with the mystique of Robin’s relationship with Jed.
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2015 February issue of InD’tale Magazine.
January 20, 2025
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
This was a poignant story about love, loss, and self-discovery. Robin found love with Jed 10 years ago, but she lost the deep connection she had with him. Robin is still coming to terms with the damage Jed’s death did to her mental health and how she approaches new relationships. Robin is still in love with Jed, as she finds it hard to get over him when he left due to dying rather than just in a regular breakup. This fact is affecting her new relationship with Nick. Nick loves her deeply, and Robin, despite her struggle, returns that love but can’t get past Jed and her grief. Will the ghost of her first love be the reason why her new relationship ends?
There are many teary moments in this book. Robin has suffered an immense loss due to the death of her mother when Robin was young and then the loss of Jed later in her life. This emotional trauma colours her life and it’s heartbreaking to see how she suffered with the loss at first and how she still refuses to share that part of her life with Nick. We get to see how this builds a wall between them, slowly chipping away at their happiness.
There is also a joy to be found in the story in the funny banter moments between Robin and Jed as they start their relationship and also deal with the consequences of Jed’s illness. There are cute moments between Robin and Nick as they come up with silly nicknames for each other and how they tease each other. There are also some wonderful scenes between Robin and her father as they share their thoughts on loss.
Overall, this was a beautiful story about loss and love and how the two can intertwine. The story was very honest about the realities of illness and how it not only affects the patient but everyone around them. The moments in the hospital when Jed is dying are tough but true to life making them some of the saddest scenes I’ve ever read but also some of the most well-written. So, grab your tissues and delve into this sad yet uplifting story.
This was a poignant story about love, loss, and self-discovery. Robin found love with Jed 10 years ago, but she lost the deep connection she had with him. Robin is still coming to terms with the damage Jed’s death did to her mental health and how she approaches new relationships. Robin is still in love with Jed, as she finds it hard to get over him when he left due to dying rather than just in a regular breakup. This fact is affecting her new relationship with Nick. Nick loves her deeply, and Robin, despite her struggle, returns that love but can’t get past Jed and her grief. Will the ghost of her first love be the reason why her new relationship ends?
There are many teary moments in this book. Robin has suffered an immense loss due to the death of her mother when Robin was young and then the loss of Jed later in her life. This emotional trauma colours her life and it’s heartbreaking to see how she suffered with the loss at first and how she still refuses to share that part of her life with Nick. We get to see how this builds a wall between them, slowly chipping away at their happiness.
There is also a joy to be found in the story in the funny banter moments between Robin and Jed as they start their relationship and also deal with the consequences of Jed’s illness. There are cute moments between Robin and Nick as they come up with silly nicknames for each other and how they tease each other. There are also some wonderful scenes between Robin and her father as they share their thoughts on loss.
Overall, this was a beautiful story about loss and love and how the two can intertwine. The story was very honest about the realities of illness and how it not only affects the patient but everyone around them. The moments in the hospital when Jed is dying are tough but true to life making them some of the saddest scenes I’ve ever read but also some of the most well-written. So, grab your tissues and delve into this sad yet uplifting story.
November 14, 2025
I chose to read this book because of its themes of love and loss, and it’s set right here in Iowa, my own backyard!
The story is told in dual points of view in the past and present. There’s truly so much potential in the story, but it left me feeling a bit confused and yearning for more.
Robin is struggling with her past while trying to move forward. She owns a fashion studio, has a reality show celebrity background, and carries around a heavy secret. At thirty-something, Robin has faced her fair share of heartache, and the story kicks off as she finds herself falling in love for the second time with a guy named Nick. But here’s the twist: she’s also haunted by her first love, Jed, who is gone but still holds her heart.
The way Robin navigates her feelings makes her very relatable. As she tries to embrace her new relationship with Nick, an aspiring musician who works as a real estate agent, Robin feels her past with Jed holding her back, but it didn’t really work for me. It felt like the story could have thrived with a more linear approach. Instead of adding depth, it left me scratching my head for a good chunk of the book, especially when it came to understanding Robin’s attachment to Jed. I mean, we’re talking about several years of being stuck in this long limbo of emotion without really doing much healing. And what is her obsession with Flashdance Girl? Just baffling. I couldn’t wrap my head around it, and it detracted from the overall narrative. I also stumbled a bit with the play which felt like a weird detour from the overall story.
Despite these bumps in the road, The Next Breath manages to capture the essence of moving on from trauma and finding new love. Kudos to the author for not shying away from the emotional chaos of a chronic illness. It added so much depth, showing how an illness can ripple through a family, affecting everyone involved, not just the sick person. So while Robin's character didn't resonate with me, the core theme of the story did shine through.
All in all, it’s a nice story with some heartfelt moments about healing and letting go. If you’re into those themes, you might find something to appreciate here. But if you’re looking for a fluid narrative with a protagonist you can really connect with, this one might leave you wanting more.
Thank you to Ms. Osterkamp for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
The story is told in dual points of view in the past and present. There’s truly so much potential in the story, but it left me feeling a bit confused and yearning for more.
Robin is struggling with her past while trying to move forward. She owns a fashion studio, has a reality show celebrity background, and carries around a heavy secret. At thirty-something, Robin has faced her fair share of heartache, and the story kicks off as she finds herself falling in love for the second time with a guy named Nick. But here’s the twist: she’s also haunted by her first love, Jed, who is gone but still holds her heart.
The way Robin navigates her feelings makes her very relatable. As she tries to embrace her new relationship with Nick, an aspiring musician who works as a real estate agent, Robin feels her past with Jed holding her back, but it didn’t really work for me. It felt like the story could have thrived with a more linear approach. Instead of adding depth, it left me scratching my head for a good chunk of the book, especially when it came to understanding Robin’s attachment to Jed. I mean, we’re talking about several years of being stuck in this long limbo of emotion without really doing much healing. And what is her obsession with Flashdance Girl? Just baffling. I couldn’t wrap my head around it, and it detracted from the overall narrative. I also stumbled a bit with the play which felt like a weird detour from the overall story.
Despite these bumps in the road, The Next Breath manages to capture the essence of moving on from trauma and finding new love. Kudos to the author for not shying away from the emotional chaos of a chronic illness. It added so much depth, showing how an illness can ripple through a family, affecting everyone involved, not just the sick person. So while Robin's character didn't resonate with me, the core theme of the story did shine through.
All in all, it’s a nice story with some heartfelt moments about healing and letting go. If you’re into those themes, you might find something to appreciate here. But if you’re looking for a fluid narrative with a protagonist you can really connect with, this one might leave you wanting more.
Thank you to Ms. Osterkamp for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
May 13, 2025
The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp is a heartfelt and deeply emotional story about navigating the complicated space between past loss and present love. The novel centers around Robin, who finds herself torn between the memory of Jed, a college love who passed away, and her current relationship with Nick. When Robin is cast in a play written by Jed before his death, she’s forced to reflect on her past and reconsider the promises she’s made—and the ones she still holds on to.
The book is structured around two timelines, offering a layered view of Robin’s growth and the inner conflict she faces. This approach gives real depth to her story, helping the reader understand how the past continues to shape her decisions. Robin is a well-developed character—flawed, honest, and full of emotional depth—which makes her journey feel raw and authentic.
Osterkamp touches on grief, healing, and the challenge of opening your heart again with sensitivity and realism. The writing flows naturally, with plenty of introspective moments that never feel forced. While the story tackles serious emotional themes, it maintains a hopeful tone, showing that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting—it means finding the strength to breathe again.
Overall, The Next Breath is a powerful and moving read. It’s not just a story about love and loss, but also about self-discovery and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.
Thank you so much to @hawthorn.and.aster.services for allowing me to host a stop on the tour for The Next Breath by @laurel_osterkamp! I’m thrilled to be part of this celebration—book lovers unite! 📚✨
The book is structured around two timelines, offering a layered view of Robin’s growth and the inner conflict she faces. This approach gives real depth to her story, helping the reader understand how the past continues to shape her decisions. Robin is a well-developed character—flawed, honest, and full of emotional depth—which makes her journey feel raw and authentic.
Osterkamp touches on grief, healing, and the challenge of opening your heart again with sensitivity and realism. The writing flows naturally, with plenty of introspective moments that never feel forced. While the story tackles serious emotional themes, it maintains a hopeful tone, showing that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting—it means finding the strength to breathe again.
Overall, The Next Breath is a powerful and moving read. It’s not just a story about love and loss, but also about self-discovery and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.
Thank you so much to @hawthorn.and.aster.services for allowing me to host a stop on the tour for The Next Breath by @laurel_osterkamp! I’m thrilled to be part of this celebration—book lovers unite! 📚✨
August 1, 2025
The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp is an emotionally charged romance that you can not help finish after the first few pages. The Main Character is named Robin who is involved in a relationship with Nick. But she has a secret that she never told Nick and is worried it will hurt them. She needs to close a door that opened years before she met Nick and get closure. She needs to do the play that was written for her, and finish writing it even. I think we can all relate to closure if you had a previous relationship that ended abruptly or something that happened that was unexpected. I am always so thrilled with the author's writing as she makes it so real to the readers. And I have a family friend with Cystic Fibrosis so I really liked that the author delved into that topic as she wrote this book, so many family's have no idea what it is like to have a young person or child who will not be able to do what other kids can and also have a much shorter life span do to the disease. But nowadays there are medical advancements where people are living longer so there is always hope. And I also can relate to the radiation that the character Jed did not want to have. I have personally seen what happens when people go through it and it doesn't work all the time or for very long. This story gets you right in the feels as all the author's books do and she is a great writer! You should check out this book and her others, as she is becoming a favorite of mine;)
dnf
May 9, 2025DNF @ 21%
Thank you Hawthorne & Aster, and Laurel Osterkamp for a copy of The Next Breath in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued in the beginning, like anyone, I wanted to know what was going on.
I Ioved the banter between Robin and Nick, they were so cute.
“Hey,” he whispers. “Robin, it’s okay. Bad things happen. We know that. But good things happen too. Like right now, this moment is really, really good.”
But disregarding that, I didn't feel any big, life changing connections between any of the characters.
Robin herself was a strong character that stood up for herself, and I admired that, we need more strong fmc's.
I wasn't fallowing along with the story, the grammar and the way it was written was hard to understand at times. The dialouge felt more ya than an adult romance, which I just didn't vibe with.
For example: “Oh, but I am slutty,” he responded, all serious. “Aren’t you?”
My heart lurched. “No . . . I’m not.”
“Huh.” He started hacking again. This time it seemed painful, as his body wrenched forward and he struggled for air.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He took a deeper breath, sat up straight, and poked me in the thigh. “But I’m disappointed you’re not a slut.”
This book just wasn't for me, I didn't feel connected to anyone. I felt myself dreading to pick the book up and that usually means dnf'ing a book.
Thank you Hawthorne & Aster, and Laurel Osterkamp for a copy of The Next Breath in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued in the beginning, like anyone, I wanted to know what was going on.
I Ioved the banter between Robin and Nick, they were so cute.
“Hey,” he whispers. “Robin, it’s okay. Bad things happen. We know that. But good things happen too. Like right now, this moment is really, really good.”
But disregarding that, I didn't feel any big, life changing connections between any of the characters.
Robin herself was a strong character that stood up for herself, and I admired that, we need more strong fmc's.
I wasn't fallowing along with the story, the grammar and the way it was written was hard to understand at times. The dialouge felt more ya than an adult romance, which I just didn't vibe with.
For example: “Oh, but I am slutty,” he responded, all serious. “Aren’t you?”
My heart lurched. “No . . . I’m not.”
“Huh.” He started hacking again. This time it seemed painful, as his body wrenched forward and he struggled for air.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He took a deeper breath, sat up straight, and poked me in the thigh. “But I’m disappointed you’re not a slut.”
This book just wasn't for me, I didn't feel connected to anyone. I felt myself dreading to pick the book up and that usually means dnf'ing a book.
September 25, 2025
Laurel Osterkamp, the Author of “The Next Breath” has written a poignant, heartfelt and thought-provoking novel. This is one novel that pulls at the heartstrings. The Genres for this story are Fiction People With Disabilities, Disability Fiction, Contemporary Fiction,Romance, and Young Adult. The author vividly describes her dramatic characters as complex and complicated. Ten years ago, Robin, the protagonist is going to college and interested in acting. She meets an intelligent young man, Jed, who only wants to be friends with her at the time. Jed does play the field, but Robin soon discovers that he has Cystic Fibrosis. The two form a relationship, and have the ups and downs of being in love, with the addition on an illness. Robin becomes friends with his mother, who is the director of a play. Jed encourages Robin, and also writes a play for her. Jed passes away from the disease and Robin’s heart is broken.
Ten years later, Robin is looking to rebuild her life, and has a new boyfriend. Another friend is directing Jed’s play, and Robin will be acting in it. Robin’s new boyfriend doesn’t know of Jed, or that he wrote the play. I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as communication, honesty, secrets, disabilities, the importance of family, friends, love and hope. This is a well-written and thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend.
Ten years later, Robin is looking to rebuild her life, and has a new boyfriend. Another friend is directing Jed’s play, and Robin will be acting in it. Robin’s new boyfriend doesn’t know of Jed, or that he wrote the play. I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as communication, honesty, secrets, disabilities, the importance of family, friends, love and hope. This is a well-written and thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend.
June 4, 2024
Happy release day to Laurel! The Next Breath is out NOW! Special thanks to Laurel and NGC for the eARC of this book
4.25 ⭐
Tropes
✨second love
✨dealing with loss and grief
✨dual timeline
✨single pov
✨disability rep
Robin met her first true love with Jed in college in the theater department, her as an actress, him as a playwright (and son of the theater director). The two form an unlikely bond and love with one another, overcoming the pain that their love wouldn't love forever, with Jed's CF illness. Before his death, Robin promises Jed that she will star in the play he wrote for her. Years later, she is starting to believe in a second love with her current boyfriend, Nick, but in keeping her promise to Jed, her emotions are running wild and she has to navigate her feelings of heartbreak, betray, and the fear of moving on from her first love.
This was my first Laurel Ostenkamp book, but definitely won't be my last! I was not prepared for all the tears that were shed reading this book!!
"I love you. However brief or inconsequential our time has been, I love you. And I'll love you again, no matter what."
Robin had a chance that most people hope to only have once in their live. To be truly loved by someone wholeheartedly. Her relationship with Jed came out of such an unlikely place, and I absolutely loved how he continued to pursue and they just fell into the love that they had. That is best kind of love, love that is unexpected. I loved how Jed didn't let his disability and inabilities dictate his life and really tried to live it to the fullest as much as he could.
"Let other 'best things' happen. I want you to have a lifetime full of the 'best things' that have ever happened. Promise me, and that will be the last thing I ask for."
Just the amount of RAW emotions in this book. I really loved the dual timeline nature of the book, with us reading about Robin and Nick's relationship, the secrets, and the heartache that Robin is facing while trying to reconcile her own feelings, while also doing the last thing she promised Jed, but also learning about Robin and Jed's relationship. This book really showcases how TOUGH grief is and how overwhelming it is to try to move on and be happy with one's life, while not forgetting the memory of another.
Truly such a moving story, I would HIGHLY recommend.
4.25 ⭐
Tropes
✨second love
✨dealing with loss and grief
✨dual timeline
✨single pov
✨disability rep
Robin met her first true love with Jed in college in the theater department, her as an actress, him as a playwright (and son of the theater director). The two form an unlikely bond and love with one another, overcoming the pain that their love wouldn't love forever, with Jed's CF illness. Before his death, Robin promises Jed that she will star in the play he wrote for her. Years later, she is starting to believe in a second love with her current boyfriend, Nick, but in keeping her promise to Jed, her emotions are running wild and she has to navigate her feelings of heartbreak, betray, and the fear of moving on from her first love.
This was my first Laurel Ostenkamp book, but definitely won't be my last! I was not prepared for all the tears that were shed reading this book!!
"I love you. However brief or inconsequential our time has been, I love you. And I'll love you again, no matter what."
Robin had a chance that most people hope to only have once in their live. To be truly loved by someone wholeheartedly. Her relationship with Jed came out of such an unlikely place, and I absolutely loved how he continued to pursue and they just fell into the love that they had. That is best kind of love, love that is unexpected. I loved how Jed didn't let his disability and inabilities dictate his life and really tried to live it to the fullest as much as he could.
"Let other 'best things' happen. I want you to have a lifetime full of the 'best things' that have ever happened. Promise me, and that will be the last thing I ask for."
Just the amount of RAW emotions in this book. I really loved the dual timeline nature of the book, with us reading about Robin and Nick's relationship, the secrets, and the heartache that Robin is facing while trying to reconcile her own feelings, while also doing the last thing she promised Jed, but also learning about Robin and Jed's relationship. This book really showcases how TOUGH grief is and how overwhelming it is to try to move on and be happy with one's life, while not forgetting the memory of another.
Truly such a moving story, I would HIGHLY recommend.
May 17, 2025
Can we move on from love lost? Can the person we want to move on with measure up to our past love?
The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp is a poignant tale of love and loss. It eventually teaches readers that no matter how difficult the past has been, we can bounce back. Time, as they say, heals wounds.
I love the development of Robin’s character. She was vulnerable, yet strong for those who needed her especially Jed. The loss traumatized her, but she understood how that trauma affected her but those around her as well. I appreciated how the author did not force Robin to heal and love again in a short period of time.
Nick was also well-written. I related with how he wanted to pursue his actual dream. He was also very sweet. I’m glad that the author gave Nick time to reflect on his relationship with Robin after her confession. I think Nick’s reaction to what happened was natural.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh and cry at the best moments. Most of all, it taught me the value of giving ourselves grace when awful things happen. We can only move on from our past when we are ready. I recommend this book to readers who love poignant stories about love and loss.
The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp is a poignant tale of love and loss. It eventually teaches readers that no matter how difficult the past has been, we can bounce back. Time, as they say, heals wounds.
I love the development of Robin’s character. She was vulnerable, yet strong for those who needed her especially Jed. The loss traumatized her, but she understood how that trauma affected her but those around her as well. I appreciated how the author did not force Robin to heal and love again in a short period of time.
Nick was also well-written. I related with how he wanted to pursue his actual dream. He was also very sweet. I’m glad that the author gave Nick time to reflect on his relationship with Robin after her confession. I think Nick’s reaction to what happened was natural.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh and cry at the best moments. Most of all, it taught me the value of giving ourselves grace when awful things happen. We can only move on from our past when we are ready. I recommend this book to readers who love poignant stories about love and loss.
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