Between Breaths: A Novel

by Abigail Rose-Marie

In the 1930s, two women defy societal norms and pave the way for a medical breakthrough in a powerful novel of female solidarity and scientific perseverance inspired by an extraordinary true story.

In the midst of the Great Depression, a biology degree does Grace Aller no favors. A schoolteacher who tends to her Idaho sheep farm, she feels helpless against the scourge of whooping cough claiming children’s lives across the country. When the chance arises to intern with a seasoned scientist in Michigan, Grace doesn’t hesitate.

Pearl Kendall has a storeroom instead of a lab, no top-tier equipment, and constant pushback in a male-dominated field. Haunted by devastating losses of her own, the intractable researcher is dedicated to finding a cure. Now, instead of partnering with an experienced bacteriologist, Pearl gets a northwest farm girl with a pioneering drive to make a difference. As Pearl and Grace confront a tide of prejudice, lack of funding, and medical distrust derailing their efforts, the risks grow greater, threatening to unravel everything they are fighting for.

Unjustly lost to history, the story of these two trailblazing women and their unlikely team who disrupted gender barriers to save lives can break the heart and restore hope in the same breath.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Feminism, Medical, Ebooks, Biographical Fiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Abigail Rose-Marie is a writer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. in creative writing from Ohio University and an MFA from Bowling Green State University. She currently lives with her wife and their very spoiled pets in Utah. For more information, connect via Instagram @authorabigailrosemarie.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank goodness this was only $1.99 CDN plus tax!

I struggled with MAJOR time-hopping with no warnings on title headings, uneven pacing, and then at the 60% mark a romance between two women that I wasn't expecting. Why aren't there acknowledgments about this type of relationship on a synopsis?!

It's unfortunate, because this is a unique slice of history and I was really looking forward to it.

[Chelsea Schnepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books make you cry.

Some make you smile.

Very few leave you feeling proud.

Between Breaths did all three.

Every time I thought I’d read one more chapter, another hour disappeared. I wasn’t just reading this story, I was completely immersed in it.

I think what surprised me most was the emotion this book left me with.

Pride.

Not because of one big, triumphant moment, but because I was watching women refuse to let other people decide what they were capable of. They kept showing up. They kept pushing forward. They kept believing in the work, even when the odds…and the people around were stacked against them.

Knowing this story is rooted in real history gave every page a deeper sense of purpose.

As a parent, this book also challenged me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I’ve questioned vaccines before, like many parents have. But I’d never really stopped to think about what life looked like before they existed. Reading about families losing children to something that today is largely preventable was sobering. It didn’t tell me what to think. It simply gave me a perspective I’d never considered before, and that’s something I’ll carry with me.

When I finished Between Breaths, my first thought wasn’t, “That was a great book.” It was, “Why have I never heard this story before?”

I immediately dove into the author’s notes, reading about the real women, the real history, and the incredible work that inspired this novel. Somehow, that made me love the book even more.

This is exactly why I love historical fiction. At its best, it doesn’t just teach you history, it makes you care about it. It introduces you to people who deserve to be remembered and leaves you wondering why their stories aren’t more widely known.

I laughed. I cried. I got genuinely angry. I found myself cheering people on like they were family. And when I closed the book, I felt different than when I opened it.

I’ve only read two of Abigail Rose-Marie’s books, but after both of them, I’m convinced she’s on her way to becoming one of the standout voices in historical fiction. She has a rare gift for taking forgotten stories and making them impossible to forget.

I finished this book feeling entertained, emotional, and unexpectedly inspired. That’s not something I can say very often.

I’ll be recommending Between Breaths every chance I get.

[Stephanie Juarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

great true story except for the love life

The story was great and I was interested to find out more about the real Drs that did so much for vaccines and clinical trials. But the gratuitous love story created between them by the author, took away from the seriousness of the science. I could find nothing to suggest that this was true but what I did find was that it was common for unmarried women of the time to live together to share expenses. Would have been a more compelling read without this. I know author says they are fictional characters and names changed but ??

[Catherine · Rating 2.25 out of 5]

I think these women's contributions to science deserve to be recognized, and I appreciate the effort to bring their story to a wider audience. I really wish I'd enjoyed the book more, but ultimately, this one just wasn't for me.

The writing was too dry, and I never felt drawn into the story. It became one of those books that I had to make myself pick up rather than one I looked forward to reading. I also felt there was very little suspense. Of course, I knew going in that the vaccine would eventually be developed, but I've read plenty of historical fiction where knowing the outcome didn't take away from the experience. This one just never managed to hold my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable piece of historical fiction (loosely historical) with strong, mostly likable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Rachel Hooper · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this book pre-publish through Amazon First Reads.

As a biologist, I LOVED learning about the science behind the development of the pertussis vaccine and the two women who made it possible! I really enjoyed the characters and their stories, but I felt like the book moved too quickly. I would have loved more time with the characters and more detail about the research itself #nerd. Such a fascinating part of scientific history that I knew nothing about!

[Melanie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard the story behind the early fight against whooping cough, so Between Breaths immediately gave me a piece of history I wanted to know more about. Set during the Great Depression, it follows Grace Aller, a biology graduate teaching school and tending sheep in Idaho, who leaves for Michigan to work with Pearl Kendall on research that could help stop the disease killing children across the country.

Grace and Pearl made an interesting pair because neither woman is entering the work from an easy position. Pearl is trying to conduct serious research with inadequate facilities and constant resistance in a male-dominated field, while Grace has the education but not the experience Pearl expected from an assistant. I liked watching their partnership develop alongside the scientific work rather than having the history reduced to a backdrop.

There are parts where the research and medical details slow the story down, but I did not mind that as much because I was learning something. Knowing the novel is inspired by women whose contributions were largely lost to history also gave the story more weight for me. This was a good reminder of how many medical advances depended on people whose names most of us were never taught.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Lana Kortchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Breaths paints a vivid and fascinating picture of sacrifice and triumph achieved against all odds. Based on true events, this is a story of hard work and perseverance that will inspire you and touch your heart.

[Arlene L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love discovering stories about women whose contributions to history have somehow been overlooked. Between Breaths gave me exactly that experience. Abigail Rose-Marie tells a compelling and deeply human story of two women who refused to let the limitations placed on them stand in the way of their determination to save lives. Set during the 1930s, this is a fascinating story of two very different women brought together by a shared determination to save children from whooping cough. Grace and Pearl face obstacles at nearly every turn, not only the scientific challenges of their work, but also the prejudice, lack of funding, and skepticism that came with being women trying to make their mark in a male-dominated field. The combination of the personal and historical elements of the story was very compelling. These aren't simply women pursuing a scientific breakthrough, they are women carrying their own losses, frustrations, hopes and doubts while continuing to push forward. Their persistence gives the story emotional depth that goes beyond the science. Between Breaths is a moving reminder that progress often depends on people who refuse to give up, even when almost everything seems to be working against them.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Rose-Marie tells a story of loosely based on the female scientists who battled against the odds - it was the 1930s in America - to come up with a vaccine for whooping cough. A disease which was killing children at a frightening rate every year. I was rivetted by this story. One I hadn't heard before. Although I don't know why I'm surprised at that. Grace and Pearl worked tirelessly to develop a vaccine with little to no support from the government or anyone else. Their story is fascinating and so important. I cried, l laughed and I got angry and I just love a book that makes me feel so much, as well as teaching me something I didn't know. Wonderfully researched and written. Definitely worth 5* to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a novel that has a historical aspect of female empowerment then I would highly recommend checking out this fabulous book. I have to say I was quite impressed with how this played out because not only do you get to read about their struggles with finding a cure for whooping cough but how they navigate through the Great Depression which was a very important event in this time period because when you think about it the financial situation did put a strain on their resources.

We are introduced to Grace a struggling school teacher who wants nothing more to than to better the livelihood with her pupils. Needing a fresh start she goes to Michigan and meets Pearl a scientist who takes on Grace as her intern. From there the two will work tirelessly in order to make a difference and prove that women can do just about anything!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

💉Between Breaths 💉
I was finally able to finish Between Breaths! Abigail Rose-Marie wrote a historical fiction novel that engrosses you in the history of whooping cough and the development of a vaccine. Two determined women along with unlikely partners overcome multiple hurdles to successfully make a vaccine.
Abigail Rose-Marie expertly weaves multiple points of views of the main characters, Grace and Pearl along with secondary stories from members of the team. At first, you may think that they are so different but along the way they grow to lean on each other, and form a bond that changes history.
Between Breaths comes out in November! If you enjoy historical fiction, definitely add to you TBR!

[Beverly Kramer gertler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the development of the Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccine in the 1930s. The story is told through the lense of multiple characters, including Pearl, Grace, and Loney, three women instrumental in developing the vaccine. The book talks about the gender and
race struggles that the women faced while working as scientists during that period of time, as well as how socioeconomic status impacts public health and access to medical care. Despite the somewhat heavy subject matter, the book is extremely compelling and I could not put it down. I loved each of the characters and felt like they were layered, complex, and human.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Staci Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between Breaths was a wonderful story that beautifully explored the strength of women while weaving in the history of whooping cough. It was a beautiful and moving read that left me feeling proud to be a woman.

Pearl, Grace, and Loney were all relatable in their own ways, and their stories made me wonder what life must have truly been like for women during such a difficult time. The story unfolds much like everyday life, slowly building tension while walking you through the small, day-to-day moments of their lives. I loved how those ordinary moments gradually became meaningful and allowed me to connect with each of the characters on a deeper level.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never in a million years did I think I would love a book about the women who helped create a vaccine. I probably would have walked by it in the store and if I would have I would have missed out on a beautiful and educational book. This book had so much substance, was incredibly well thought out and crafted. The character work was stunning. The whole thing was so thought provoking and important. It covered so many major important issues but carefully woven to really make sense with the subject matter. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this baby! You will want to read it. Another masterpiece by Abigail !

[Kathy Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally fascinated as I started this novel. The courage to become a scientist in the early 1930’s and the pushback from the male dominated society is something that holds my attention. Knowing the importance that vaccines play on our society today, we need to recognize the struggles that scientists had to endure to get their results. I have always admired Eleanor Roosevelt. She was definitely a catalyst to making this vaccine come to the public with her time spent with the scientists. The historic facts with fictionalization helped this reader to fully appreciate the characters. Thank you for adding the facts at the end to put it into perspective.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Breaths is a story set in the 1930’s about bacteriologists developing a whooping cough vaccine. The Great Depression is going on and women don’t have rights to vote or have bank accounts. Pearl Kendall is given a small lab to do her research in. She hires a sheep farmer, Grace, who has a biology degree but was unable to obtain a lab job so she became a school teacher.

The pacing was a little slow in parts but was still an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the
Arc.

[Elissa Zemlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about women in history - women who are so often overlooked. Learning that two women created the pertussis and then the DTP vaccine was fascinating. I was fully immersed in their journey, the trials and tribulations they endured, with a sense of pride as I was reading it. The story gives a glimpse of what the world looked like before vaccines, families losing children - thousands of children died each year for an illness that today is largely preventable thanks to Science and Women.

[Val Wilkerson]

This book was wonderful. Its is about the two women scientists who made the vaccine for whooping cough. Because they were women they were given a small lab, the old microscope, and had to fight for funding. It is a great story, they had to finally get Eleanor Roosevelt involved to get funding for the trials of the injection. I had whooping cough as a baby and now I realize I am very lucky to have lived through it. I had no idea it took so many children lives. This is well written and very informative.

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story inspired by pioneering women who are often overlooked by history. I am so grateful that authors are digging deep into our country's and women's history archives to find untold stories and bring them to us.

My only issue with the book is that the chapters hop between character POV narration, and sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming to remember who was telling the story in each chapter.

[Angela Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent historical fiction! I appreciate the author’s connection to the history and how the characters were written. However, in the acknowledgments, it is made clear that a lot of liberties were taken with the story. For what reason, I am not sure. That being said, I enjoyed the story and now I feel compelled to learn more about the reality of this characters. So in the end, the book taught me something.

[Kimikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated a 3.5 rounding up to 4

This is the kind of historical fiction that sends you down a research rabbit hole the moment you finish it.

One thing Between Breaths did incredibly well was make me care about the history behind the whooping cough vaccine. I found myself far more invested in the research than I expected to be. The process of collecting samples, earning trust, testing ideas, and seeing how much persistence went into a medical breakthrough was genuinely fascinating. It made me appreciate the years of work behind something many of us now take for granted.

I also really appreciated the themes surrounding women in science. The novel highlights that scientific discovery isn’t just about intelligence, it’s also about access. It captures how often women in the field have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously, and those moments added both inspiration and frustration in equal measure.

Where the book didn’t fully work for me was the structure. With five POVs packed into a relatively short novel, I sometimes struggled to stay fully immersed in every thread equally. The inclusion of flashbacks within those POV shifts also made the flow harder for me to follow at times. I found myself most engaged with the scientific and historical elements, while other parts didn’t hold my attention as strongly.

Overall, this is a thoughtful historical fiction novel grounded in fascinating medical history, even if the structure and multiple perspectives didn’t fully click for me.

If you like historical fiction about women fighting to prove they belong in spaces never built for them, this is a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssa · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING! The plot & the characters came together so well. I loved what each character story brought to this book. I have not read a historical fiction book that touched on The Whooping Cough before so this book was so informative on what life was during this time. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming piece of historical fiction

I did not realize this was based on a true story when I picked it up. I was sick with the flu and liked what I read of the blurb so I downloaded it. I didn't expect to be as charmed by the characters and the story as I was. I love historical fiction and science and this was the perfect blend.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free from Goodreads through their Firstreads program. I enjoyed reading this historic fiction based loosely on the lives of real people. The first names were the same as the people who were involved, but the last names and much if their lives is fiction. I thought it slowed down a lot in the last quarter of the book.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story

This book tells how a vaccine was developed for whooping cough which led to other vaccines that are still given today. It is really more about the people behind the development than the vaccine itself. Due the times it also touches on racial issues and homosexuality.

[Julie K Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is historical fiction and the author took liberties with the lives of the scientists, yet it was fascinating. I knew nothing about the research and testing for the whooping cough vaccine, nor that it was done by female researchers, a rarity in those times. I also didn’t know how many children died from this bacteria.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Characters

Loosely based on origin of the vaccine. The characters are good and the story flows well but keep in mind this is fiction and a lot of the details (locations, people, timeline) were changed from the actual events.

[Barbara Retzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I picked this book as my kindle first read

My favorite subjects in college were virology and microbiology. This book took me back to my studies and was very inspiring and easy to read.

[Victoria Last]

Loved the book. Except for the jarring geographical errors. The Beartooth Mountains are in Montana. Why put them in Idaho? If you want Idaho and UIdaho use the Sawtooths. Since Grace was really from Montana, just use that.