The Storm We Breathe

by Elaine Evans

To find her mother, Rose will have to risk everything … including her heart.

When her mother vanishes without a trace, struggling writer Rose Sheridan's whole world is shaken. Fresh off a breakup and with her cousin halfway across the world, Rose has never felt more alone. In order to find her mother, she is forced to seek help from the one man she could never have. The one man who rejected her a year ago, yet she can't stop thinking about. Detective Callum Masters. He’s calm, infuriating, and impossible to forget. Once, they almost had something. Now, they’re chasing shadows together.

Their search leads them to the last place her mother was seen: The Black Onyx Hotel, where secrets linger and a brutal storm traps them inside. As the danger builds, so does the tension between them. Old feelings reignite just as the truth grows more deadly.

Paperback

Expected publication February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Seaweed Brain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I don't even know where to start! This book is phenomenal. It had enough suspense, but wasn't gory or crude. There was very little language ( which I really appreciated) and the characters were beautifully written. I did get slightly confused with the POV switching, but it wasn't too bad.
Rose was everything we love in a protagonist: sassy, snarky, funny, and loveable. We got to see her grow into realizing that she doesn't have to hold everything in. That it's okay to need help or be emotional.
Cal was ( for lack of better words) really awesome! I mean, he's a hot detective who only wears black and drives a motorcycle. What else would he be but that?
I was glued to it and enjoyed it so much! The plot, the elevator, Danny! They were all *chef's kiss*
Thank you Elaine Evans for an ARC of this book!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh!!! My first ever ARC review!
Thank you, Elaine Evans

The first paragraph had me hooked. I haven’t started a book in a while where I read more than half of it in one sitting. It really was a “one more chapter than I’m going to bed” (clearly not the case for me) kind of book. The chemistry between Cal & Rose is what I enjoyed the most. It’s like you were witnessing it all first hand. The banter between the two had me giggling quite a bit. Niko gave me the ick from the start, because where the heck did he just come from- showing up right as Cal walked away!? Once you get further in the book it all makes sense!

If you’re in the mood to read something you’ll have a hard time putting down, enemies to lovers, + thriller all in one, I definitely recommend this book!

[Allie McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Elaine Evans for the ARC!
I would technically rate it 4.5 stars, but I would recommend others to read. it is wonderful combination of romance and mystery, with multiple POV. It was an easy read and would have loved to binge it in one sitting. The main characters are loveable and you want to root for them

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romantic suspense that brings both the tension and danger, as you’d hope. Multiple POV change ups, various timelines to follow, and unique characters to help you keep everything straight. This book is super fast paced and easy to read in one sitting. The chapters aren’t too long and the story really keeps you hooked. Highly recommend for lovers of a romantic suspense!

Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC

[The Plot Thickens Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Dee on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club.
Title: The Storm We Breathe
Author: Elaine Evans
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, where do I start with this book it was just that amazing. This romantic suspense was everything I didn't know I needed to read. Rose the FMC was so sweet, sassy, and just a lovable character all the way around. Then there's the MMC cow who was the sexy detective with me he kind of felt like he had that little bit of bad boy demeanor but it could just be me and I'm reading into it too much. The Sparks between Cal and Rose was wow it was just a really nice thing. The funny banter and the little moments here and there are almost just amazing. I did like the slow build up between the romance between the two it kind of felt natural which is what I liked it wasn't rushed or forced or anything like that which is what made it amazing. I was hooked from the very beginning and I could not put it down. As soon as Rose's mom went missing and things started happening and the suspense started building it was just a no-brainer there was no putting it down. I will say this though won't you think you have something figured out nope the author throws you a curveball and you're like how did that even happen or it did with me because my brain works different than most. Overall this book was written very well, the characters were amazing, the scenes and the suspense was built up perfect. Everything was just perfect. A little side note though Nico was creepy gave me the creeps he just gave me those weird creepy I don't know how to explain it but I didn't like that character. Other than that everybody else was wonderful and this is something that everybody needs in their life and just dont know it.

[Bris.reads.and.recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Storm We Breathe completely pulled me in. It’s moody, tense, and emotionally heavy in the best way.

The whole story is wrapped in secrets, broken trust, and this stormy atmosphere that traps more than just the characters—it traps all their unresolved history too. The tension just kept building, and I was constantly trying to piece everything together.

Between the fast-paced mystery, the slow-burn romantic tension, and the overall sense of unease, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This is definitely one of those books that makes you stay up way too late because you need to know what happens next!

That said, this book is a must-read for lovers of romantic suspense novels!

[thara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

5-star read. First time reading a suspense romance and I didn’t know what I was going to get. Put I enjoyed it. I love that the story did not drag on- it got straight to the point. I had two major mouth drop moments. I feel like the author did a create job focusing on the mystery but also focus on the romance at the same time. First book by this author and definitely would read more from her. Highly recommend. Truly appreciate the author for allowing me to get a ARC!

Fav quote - “Sometimes you need to experience the storms of life, and breathe them in, in order to make it out alive”.

[Bobbi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so honored to be an ARC reader for this book! I really loved the condensed time frame—it gave the story an urgency that pulled me in right away. The setting, dialogue, and characters all worked together beautifully, and I found myself quickly invested in their dynamics. While parts of the plot felt a little predictable, the romantic tension more than made up for it and kept me turning pages. By the time I reached the climax of the novel, I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was right there in the rain with Cal, experiencing everything alongside him. Overall, this was a fast-paced read that keeps you on your toes!

[Jessica B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super bingeable-short, sweet, and it hooks you the whole way through. It blends romance and suspense very well. Closed door romance so no spice but lots of yearning and tension. I'm never a fan of timelines that jump around, but Elaine absolutely nailed it. Great plot twists and actually surprised me a few times. It's easy to follow, gives you multiple POVs, and keeps the pace moving. If you want a romantic suspense you can finish in a few hours and walk away completely satisfied, this is the one.

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m typically not a huge fan of closed door romance but this author has completely changed my mind. The tension and yearning between Cal and Rose was amazing! On top of a time sensitive mystery this novel had me completely engrossed. I would recommend this to anyone who loves romantic suspense, closed door romance, and “fans of the he fell harder” trope. Thank you to the author for letting me be part of this ARC.

[Ashley Renee Blizzard]

The Storm We Breathe is a wonderful closed door romantic suspense novel where you can still feel the yearning throughout each chapter. Poor Cal was lovestruck right from the beginning while trying to maintain his “all work, no play” attitude while on duty.

This book is great for someone who enjoys:

•A fast paced easy read
•Enemies to lovers
•A good plot twist
•Enjoyable banter
•Tasteful closed door romance scenes

A big thank you to Elaine Evans for sending me my first ARC read.

[Lillith Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good and almost impossible to put down! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Rose and Cal, and it certainly came through as the romantic suspense it was advertised as. I was obsessed with how the mystery played out, and really loved the building dynamic between Rose and Cal. I've never been much for reading romance before, but this cute closed door novel really did the trick for me and I would absolutely recommend it to my friends.

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author sent me a advance copy and I was absolutely over the moon to be selected for another ARC read for Elaine Evans.

I would have to rate this one a 4.5 stars! I love the different characters POV. I love the mystery, drama, the romance and the twists and turns.

The plot and characters are well developed. It is definitely a book I highly recommend reading. I promise you wont be able to put it down until you finish reading.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the tension between Cal and Rose - their dynamic was emotional, slow-burn, and kept me fully invested. I liked the back and forth banter between Cal & Rose initially but it became a little drawn out which leads to why I didn’t give it a 5 stars. The villains genuinely shocked me, especially the way a seemingly sweet character took a dark turn (one of my favorite twists when done well).

[Brittney Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Storm We Breathe pulled me in from the first page. It is a perfect blend of romance and suspense that flows effortlessly. Thank you to the author, Elaine Evans, for the ARC copy. Readers mark this on your TBR for when it is released.

[Kelsey Wesslund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from page one! It was very fast-paced and the perfect mix of romance and thriller, keeping me turning the pages nonstop. I loved the multiple POVs—it made the story even more immersive getting to see exactly how each character was thinking and feeling. 📖✨

[Leah Ratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC read from the AMAZING Elaine Evans. I devoured this book! I could not put it down. The characters were interesting, it kept me entertained and the twists were so good. I definitely recommend this book. Thanks for gifting me the the opportunity to read it before it is out !

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this ARC and the opportunity to review it! This is a fast paced, yearning, thriller, romance easy read. I loved how the ending plot twist was unexpected! This easily could become a series!