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St. Hawk's Medical #3
Breathe Deep
A golden-hearted mountain man. A nursing tech with a secret. Life and death are on the line—and they’re running out of time.
Shepherd knows what people think of him. He’s too big, too tall and too broad not to be scary. But though he looks like a grizzly bear, he’s all teddy on the inside. He’s dreamed of finding someone to love. Someone who can help him break through his shyness and who he can shower with all the affection in his heart.
Kit knows what people think of him. That he’s young, good-looking, and kissed by luck. He survived leukemia as a teenager, and he thought he had his entire life ahead of him. But now, the cancer might be recurring—deny it though he might—and Kit’s world has come crashing down. He needs someone like Shepherd. Someone kind and caring, who’s strong enough to lean on.
Kit’s falling fast for the big mountain man—but he hasn’t told Shepherd the truth. He’s afraid that knowing he may be sick will be more than Shepherd can handle. And now, after delaying treatment, he thinks he may be running out of time.
Secrets can be life or death—and when it comes to telling the truth, they can make all the difference.
Shepherd knows what people think of him. He’s too big, too tall and too broad not to be scary. But though he looks like a grizzly bear, he’s all teddy on the inside. He’s dreamed of finding someone to love. Someone who can help him break through his shyness and who he can shower with all the affection in his heart.
Kit knows what people think of him. That he’s young, good-looking, and kissed by luck. He survived leukemia as a teenager, and he thought he had his entire life ahead of him. But now, the cancer might be recurring—deny it though he might—and Kit’s world has come crashing down. He needs someone like Shepherd. Someone kind and caring, who’s strong enough to lean on.
Kit’s falling fast for the big mountain man—but he hasn’t told Shepherd the truth. He’s afraid that knowing he may be sick will be more than Shepherd can handle. And now, after delaying treatment, he thinks he may be running out of time.
Secrets can be life or death—and when it comes to telling the truth, they can make all the difference.
- GenresM M RomanceContemporary
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Willa Okati
218 books221 followersWill Okati is made of many things: imagination, coffee, stray cat hairs, daydreams, more coffee, kitchen experimentation, a passion for winter weather, a little more coffee, a whole lot of flowering plants and a lifelong love of storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 13, 2015
Like, a smidge more than 3 Stars.
I liked the overall story and the characters but there were a few things that just made me nutters. Full review on the blog soon and then here.
I liked the overall story and the characters but there were a few things that just made me nutters. Full review on the blog soon and then here.
November 13, 2015
Relatively few authors can accomplish big things with a low word count, cutting straight to point and delivering a novel-sized package in a novella. Willa Okati is one of these authors. Her writing style is engaging, smart, and sexy, and her characters feel realistic, flaws and all. Shepherd is a big, big man who’s shy, and Kit is a cancer survivor with a heart of gold but a couple of insecurities due to his past. So, obviously the pairing offers some intriguing personality contrasts, and Okati delivers, giving us a cute romance. Their first encounter is fraught with immediate chemistry but though the attraction is instant, the relationship grows naturally. Kit and Shepherd together were so sweet I almost got a tooth-ache!
But (isn’t there always a but?) this story has a couple of issues. They may be a personal take of mine, so don’t be deterred from this story simply due to my say so. The first is Kit’s cancer—which he refuses to admit might be back and so he refuses to get tested. Yes, it’s totally understandable and relatable to feel scared at the prospect of a deadly sickness. But he works at a hospital and as a nurse has a better than average knowledge of cancer symptoms. So him turning a blind eye felt a little forced and it didn’t make much sense. Second, Shepherd is awkward and shy because of his size and sweet nature, but he does something uncharacteristic when he learns of Kit’s condition that it kind of took me off the moment. It simply didn’t feel like something he would do.
Despite those issues, this book packs a punch. A romance under the threat of a recurring cancer? It’s not easy to show a story complete with both tears and humor, but Okati manages to do that. Of the side characters, especially Kit’s favorite patient, Gib, is one of the bright spots of the whole book with his cantankerous cussing. In fact, he’s something of a driving force of the plot.
In the end, however, is this a tearjerker? I suppose that’s up to the reader. I know I went through a couple of tissues while reading this. So overall a good romance with a healthy (pardon the pun) dose of realism to keep our guys on the edges of their seats, same as us readers.
But (isn’t there always a but?) this story has a couple of issues. They may be a personal take of mine, so don’t be deterred from this story simply due to my say so. The first is Kit’s cancer—which he refuses to admit might be back and so he refuses to get tested. Yes, it’s totally understandable and relatable to feel scared at the prospect of a deadly sickness. But he works at a hospital and as a nurse has a better than average knowledge of cancer symptoms. So him turning a blind eye felt a little forced and it didn’t make much sense. Second, Shepherd is awkward and shy because of his size and sweet nature, but he does something uncharacteristic when he learns of Kit’s condition that it kind of took me off the moment. It simply didn’t feel like something he would do.
Despite those issues, this book packs a punch. A romance under the threat of a recurring cancer? It’s not easy to show a story complete with both tears and humor, but Okati manages to do that. Of the side characters, especially Kit’s favorite patient, Gib, is one of the bright spots of the whole book with his cantankerous cussing. In fact, he’s something of a driving force of the plot.
In the end, however, is this a tearjerker? I suppose that’s up to the reader. I know I went through a couple of tissues while reading this. So overall a good romance with a healthy (pardon the pun) dose of realism to keep our guys on the edges of their seats, same as us readers.
August 27, 2015
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads~~
This is the third in a series, but other than mention of a few character, there is really no overlap. I would however commend both the previous books to you, as they are great reads and each one is sufficiently different.
Kit is such a lovely, popular but lonely man with a big secret. Shepherd is bigger than life, but terribly shy. Fate conspires to bring them together, but something is threatening to keep them apart. Be prepared for some tears, and for tugging at the heartstrings! Loved Gib - perfect foil and generous with his bike too!
Add it to your pile, if you haven't already.
This is the third in a series, but other than mention of a few character, there is really no overlap. I would however commend both the previous books to you, as they are great reads and each one is sufficiently different.
Kit is such a lovely, popular but lonely man with a big secret. Shepherd is bigger than life, but terribly shy. Fate conspires to bring them together, but something is threatening to keep them apart. Be prepared for some tears, and for tugging at the heartstrings! Loved Gib - perfect foil and generous with his bike too!
Add it to your pile, if you haven't already.
June 3, 2018
This series has got better by each book for me. This book soaring up to 3.5*!
I think with this one I wasn’t left feeling I was missing part of the story like I did in the first 2.
Yes, the characters are a ‘bit too’ at times - too nice, too stubborn, too stupid with his own health!!
But I liked the plot premise, the development between from their insta attraction. The will he/won’t he of Kit telling Shepherd.
Yes people must have been blind about Kit’s health.
And I enjoyed Gib!
I think with this one I wasn’t left feeling I was missing part of the story like I did in the first 2.
Yes, the characters are a ‘bit too’ at times - too nice, too stubborn, too stupid with his own health!!
But I liked the plot premise, the development between from their insta attraction. The will he/won’t he of Kit telling Shepherd.
Yes people must have been blind about Kit’s health.
And I enjoyed Gib!
August 27, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I have read several of Ms. Okati’s books, including the previous books in this series, and I have enjoyed them all because I love her style of writing. Although Breathe Deep is written slightly different than what I have become accustomed to, the writing was no less enjoyable. In the other books of Ms. Okati’s that I’ve read, the main characters are either already involved romantically or tend to know one another well and because of their familiarity with one another, there is a kind of shorthand way in which they interact (i.e., they already know or can accurately anticipate the other characters’ needs and much goes unsaid). Now as Shepherd and Kit have never met prior to this book this kind of shorthand communication would never work and the author doesn’t even attempt to use it. So for me, Breathe Deep offered me the chance to experience another style of writing by an author I enjoy and it proved to be an excellent read.
In case you’re like me and started reading the book without rereading the blurb, the author uses the Prologue to introduce the reader to Kit and show what it is that he is dealing with. It’s clear rather quickly that Kit is of the mindset that if he doesn’t admit that his leukemia is in relapse, then it’s not real. I don’t have to have a fatal disease to recognize Kit’s coping mechanism or empathize with him as I’ve done the same thing myself in situations that don’t even begin to compare. This not only gives me an immediate connection with Kit, but I found myself fully invested in his story within a matter of pages. As if the universe is trying to balance out this devastating development, Kit meets a big bear of a man – Shepherd. Kit’s finally found a man who’s everything he’s ever wanted and it happens at the same time he’s worried (at least subconsciously) that he’s in relapse. Despite his best intentions, Kit can’t stay away from Shepherd nor can he bring himself to tell Shepherd about his leukemia. As the men get close – and boy howdy do they get close! – Kit’s secret gets harder to keep. Of course such a secret can’t be kept for long and when it came out, my heart broke for both Kit and Shepherd. Thankfully the author did not make me wait too terribly long before putting my heart at ease.
I was completely torn over Kit’s decision to keep his leukemia a secret. It’s not like it’s something you just mention in casual conversation to virtual strangers, which is what he and Shepherd were and all Kit expected them to be. As Kit got more attached to Shepherd, figuring out how to tell him about the leukemia got worse because Kit was afraid of losing him. Not to mention, Kit was still in denial himself and when he finally accepted that he was in relapse he no longer knew how to broach the subject. Of course when there was no way to hide it anymore, I was reading through tears because of how Shepherd reacted, especially as it occurred at the end of such a perfect day for the two men. As this is a novella, the author opted not to take readers through Kit’s actual treatment and I for one am grateful because I don’t know that I could have watched Kit suffer through it. But this makes the jump in time to the Epilogue actually frightening because with how it began, I had no idea as to how the treatments turned out and whether or not the relationship was still intact. Thankfully Ms. Okati didn’t make me wait too long for the resolution and I found it both realistic and hopeful. Already I am looking forward to future installments in the St. Hawk’s Medical series in hopes that the author will provide occasional updates regarding Kit and Shepherd. Breathe Deep was an excellent addition to the series and well worth every tear I cried.
I have read several of Ms. Okati’s books, including the previous books in this series, and I have enjoyed them all because I love her style of writing. Although Breathe Deep is written slightly different than what I have become accustomed to, the writing was no less enjoyable. In the other books of Ms. Okati’s that I’ve read, the main characters are either already involved romantically or tend to know one another well and because of their familiarity with one another, there is a kind of shorthand way in which they interact (i.e., they already know or can accurately anticipate the other characters’ needs and much goes unsaid). Now as Shepherd and Kit have never met prior to this book this kind of shorthand communication would never work and the author doesn’t even attempt to use it. So for me, Breathe Deep offered me the chance to experience another style of writing by an author I enjoy and it proved to be an excellent read.
In case you’re like me and started reading the book without rereading the blurb, the author uses the Prologue to introduce the reader to Kit and show what it is that he is dealing with. It’s clear rather quickly that Kit is of the mindset that if he doesn’t admit that his leukemia is in relapse, then it’s not real. I don’t have to have a fatal disease to recognize Kit’s coping mechanism or empathize with him as I’ve done the same thing myself in situations that don’t even begin to compare. This not only gives me an immediate connection with Kit, but I found myself fully invested in his story within a matter of pages. As if the universe is trying to balance out this devastating development, Kit meets a big bear of a man – Shepherd. Kit’s finally found a man who’s everything he’s ever wanted and it happens at the same time he’s worried (at least subconsciously) that he’s in relapse. Despite his best intentions, Kit can’t stay away from Shepherd nor can he bring himself to tell Shepherd about his leukemia. As the men get close – and boy howdy do they get close! – Kit’s secret gets harder to keep. Of course such a secret can’t be kept for long and when it came out, my heart broke for both Kit and Shepherd. Thankfully the author did not make me wait too terribly long before putting my heart at ease.
I was completely torn over Kit’s decision to keep his leukemia a secret. It’s not like it’s something you just mention in casual conversation to virtual strangers, which is what he and Shepherd were and all Kit expected them to be. As Kit got more attached to Shepherd, figuring out how to tell him about the leukemia got worse because Kit was afraid of losing him. Not to mention, Kit was still in denial himself and when he finally accepted that he was in relapse he no longer knew how to broach the subject. Of course when there was no way to hide it anymore, I was reading through tears because of how Shepherd reacted, especially as it occurred at the end of such a perfect day for the two men. As this is a novella, the author opted not to take readers through Kit’s actual treatment and I for one am grateful because I don’t know that I could have watched Kit suffer through it. But this makes the jump in time to the Epilogue actually frightening because with how it began, I had no idea as to how the treatments turned out and whether or not the relationship was still intact. Thankfully Ms. Okati didn’t make me wait too long for the resolution and I found it both realistic and hopeful. Already I am looking forward to future installments in the St. Hawk’s Medical series in hopes that the author will provide occasional updates regarding Kit and Shepherd. Breathe Deep was an excellent addition to the series and well worth every tear I cried.
August 27, 2015
4 stars
I loved the play of the characters off each other. The big man being the shy one. The cancer scare made me sad and all that comes with it. The pain that he feels and the caution he tries to take so he doesn't have to love and leave someone behind if it what he feels it is.
There were points of laughter and some of sadness mixed in with sexy scenes that seemed to make it all glue together.
I can't wait for the next part of this story and more from Willa Okati.
Renee
*****
4 stars
Let me start out by saying that this is on the shorter side for the type of romance that is within the pages. However, I felt that Okati did a great job hitting the highlights of their relationship. You have two characters that are, I felt, great together.
Kit is a geriatric nurse tech working his way through school. He has such plans for his life. I loved his favorite patient, Gib. He made me laugh and cry. When Kit meets Shepherd, there is instant chemistry and attraction. While I normally don’t like insta-relationships, Okati did a good job at pacing this one.
Shepherd just sounds sexy. He not only is huge, but he’s so caring. I loved his character.
This story had me laughing out loud and crying all within a short amount of time. While I wish the story had been more in-depth and longer in order to really dive in to the complexities of the relationship, I did feel it was a complete story. I would definitely read more of Okati.
AvidReader
*****
4 stars
This is such a sweet story. I love both main characters. Kit is devoted to his patients, passionate about his education and terrified that his childhood leukemia has returned. He is an inspiring mix of strength and fragility.
In contrast, Shepherd is a painfully shy bear of a man. I loved his compassion - and fancied the pants off him!
This novella is too short to really navigate the complexities of a cancer scare, but the author does a great job of offering readers highlights without simplifying or rushing the HEA. I still think that there is more than enough material for a novel here, and I’d love to see more of Kit and Shepherd.
The characters are great, the sex is hot and the story is well written. I was in tears in a couple of places! A great short romance.
Sarah
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
January 3, 2023
3.5 Stars To be honest, I almost shelved this third book in Willa Okati's 'St. Hawk's Medical' series. The topic is hitting way too close to home these days, but I decided to take a chance on an author whom I really enjoy. She didn't disappoint, not at all. 'Breathe Deep' is a sweet, gentle, and sexy addition to the series.
Shepherd is the sweetest, gentlest, giant, bear of a man, with a perpetual scowl and a horrible case of shy. He's never seen anyone as beautiful as Kit, and can't believe his luck when Kit seems to respond to him. Kit doesn't mean to, he really doesn't. He was just trying to take a good, fun, pleasant memory for himself. Something else to help his denial that his illness has returned. Unfortunately, once Kit and Shepherd begin seeing each other, how can he say anything then? And, oh, how I understood Kit's feelings. No matter the pain and devastation that might occur in the future, meeting your one true love is worth it all.
A lovely story for which I say thank you, Willa. I adored their growing love and I liked the way you handled the drama. It didn't overwhelm me, but let me see the hurt and pain, while also showing the miracle of love. A wise man once told me "love fixes all", and I choose to believe that. I can easily recommend this entire series as a feel-good, sexy, and very sweet set of men.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Shepherd is the sweetest, gentlest, giant, bear of a man, with a perpetual scowl and a horrible case of shy. He's never seen anyone as beautiful as Kit, and can't believe his luck when Kit seems to respond to him. Kit doesn't mean to, he really doesn't. He was just trying to take a good, fun, pleasant memory for himself. Something else to help his denial that his illness has returned. Unfortunately, once Kit and Shepherd begin seeing each other, how can he say anything then? And, oh, how I understood Kit's feelings. No matter the pain and devastation that might occur in the future, meeting your one true love is worth it all.
A lovely story for which I say thank you, Willa. I adored their growing love and I liked the way you handled the drama. It didn't overwhelm me, but let me see the hurt and pain, while also showing the miracle of love. A wise man once told me "love fixes all", and I choose to believe that. I can easily recommend this entire series as a feel-good, sexy, and very sweet set of men.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
August 27, 2015
In a Nutshell: I really liked both leads, their emotional and erotic romance, and the HEA.
Why I Read This Book: I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series.
What I Liked: The leads are wonderful. Both of them are isolated, though different reasons why, but they connect emotionally and sexually together. Kit knows he’s sick again and he wants to enjoy his time and he throws himself into loving Shepherd physically, while trying to maintain his emotional distance. Shepherd is a warm man with crippling shyness. From the time these two meet at Shepherd’s store and snack together, to the healing-HEA, these two men are connected. Though terribly clichéd with a sick person, I still loved the motorcycle scene when Shepherd takes Kit on a wild ride, followed by a gentle picnic, and well…read the book to get the rest!
Even the secondary characters here are good. Shepherd’s small but loving circle of friends and Kit’s cantankerous patient add the levity this story needs.
What I Didn’t Like: It’s a fast read with the great reveal coming a tad too close to novella’s end for my taste. Still, the warm and loving HEA was exactly what this novella needed to be satisfying.
IMO: Enjoyable read with an emotional and erotic romance I recommend.
Why I Read This Book: I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series.
What I Liked: The leads are wonderful. Both of them are isolated, though different reasons why, but they connect emotionally and sexually together. Kit knows he’s sick again and he wants to enjoy his time and he throws himself into loving Shepherd physically, while trying to maintain his emotional distance. Shepherd is a warm man with crippling shyness. From the time these two meet at Shepherd’s store and snack together, to the healing-HEA, these two men are connected. Though terribly clichéd with a sick person, I still loved the motorcycle scene when Shepherd takes Kit on a wild ride, followed by a gentle picnic, and well…read the book to get the rest!
Even the secondary characters here are good. Shepherd’s small but loving circle of friends and Kit’s cantankerous patient add the levity this story needs.
What I Didn’t Like: It’s a fast read with the great reveal coming a tad too close to novella’s end for my taste. Still, the warm and loving HEA was exactly what this novella needed to be satisfying.
IMO: Enjoyable read with an emotional and erotic romance I recommend.
August 14, 2015
Breathe Deep is the third book in the St. Hawk’s Medical Series. Since I have not read the other books, I was not sure if I would be list or not. But, this one can be read as a standalone. Kit is a nurse tech in a geriatric ward. He is working his way through nursing school and is one of the only techs that gets along with a cantankerous patient. Kip runs into a sexy biker outside of the hospital and comes to his rescue by finding a lost part in some bushes. Later, while out trying to get a special treat from a deli/store, Kip finds that the sexy biker, Shephard, owns the place. The two feel a connection and wind up getting down and dirty in the back office. But, Kip has a HUGE secret. So huge that I can’t even mention it because it’s a spoiler.
This is such a gut wrenching, heart breaking story. Seriously, it broke me at certain parts. My waring is to have a box of tissues handy when reading it. I do feel that parts of the story were slow, but I kept reading because of the context of the actual story. It was so well thought out by the author. Kudos to Willa Okati! I’m so glad I read it – even though it put me into an emotional coma.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a gut wrenching, heart breaking story. Seriously, it broke me at certain parts. My waring is to have a box of tissues handy when reading it. I do feel that parts of the story were slow, but I kept reading because of the context of the actual story. It was so well thought out by the author. Kudos to Willa Okati! I’m so glad I read it – even though it put me into an emotional coma.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2015
Breathe Deep by Willa Okati
4 stars
M/M Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Let me start out by saying that this is on the shorter side for the type of romance that is within the pages. However, I felt that Okati did a great job hitting the highlights of their relationship. You have two characters that are, I felt, great together.
Kit is a geriatric nurse tech working his way through school. He has such plans for his life. I loved his favorite patient, Gib. He made me laugh and cry. When Kit meets Shepherd, there is instant chemistry and attraction. While I normally don’t like insta-relationships, Okati did a good job at pacing this one.
Shepherd just sounds sexy. He not only is huge, but he’s so caring. I loved his character.
This story had me laughing out loud and crying all within a short amount of time. While I wish the story had been more in-depth and longer in order to really dive in to the complexities of the relationship, I did feel it was a complete story. I would definitely read more of Okati.
4 stars
M/M Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Let me start out by saying that this is on the shorter side for the type of romance that is within the pages. However, I felt that Okati did a great job hitting the highlights of their relationship. You have two characters that are, I felt, great together.
Kit is a geriatric nurse tech working his way through school. He has such plans for his life. I loved his favorite patient, Gib. He made me laugh and cry. When Kit meets Shepherd, there is instant chemistry and attraction. While I normally don’t like insta-relationships, Okati did a good job at pacing this one.
Shepherd just sounds sexy. He not only is huge, but he’s so caring. I loved his character.
This story had me laughing out loud and crying all within a short amount of time. While I wish the story had been more in-depth and longer in order to really dive in to the complexities of the relationship, I did feel it was a complete story. I would definitely read more of Okati.
August 14, 2015
This is such a sweet story. I love both main characters. Kit is devoted to his patients, passionate about his education and terrified that his childhood leukemia has returned. He is an inspiring mix of strength and fragility.
In contrast, Shepherd is a painfully shy bear of a man. I loved his compassion - and fancied the pants off him!
This novella is too short to really navigate the complexities of a cancer scare, but the author does a great job of offering readers highlights without simplifying or rushing the HEA. I still think that there is more than enough material for a novel here, and I’d love to see more of Kit and Shepherd.
The characters are great, the sex is hot and the story is well written. I was in tears in a couple of places! A great short romance.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
In contrast, Shepherd is a painfully shy bear of a man. I loved his compassion - and fancied the pants off him!
This novella is too short to really navigate the complexities of a cancer scare, but the author does a great job of offering readers highlights without simplifying or rushing the HEA. I still think that there is more than enough material for a novel here, and I’d love to see more of Kit and Shepherd.
The characters are great, the sex is hot and the story is well written. I was in tears in a couple of places! A great short romance.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
August 23, 2015
2.5 stars
September 27, 2015
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews