Washington 1891. Kate Livingston ist begeistert, als ihr eine Stelle in der Forschungsabteilung eines renommierten Krankenhauses angeboten wird. Sie ahnt nicht, dass sich hinter dem weltberühmten Arzt Dr. T. M. Kendall, ihrem zukünftigen Chef, kein anderer verbirgt als ihr einstiger Widersacher Trevor McDonough. Ausgerechnet für den Mann, der ihr einst das ersehnte Collegestipendium wegschnappte und damit ihre einzige Chance zu studieren nahm, soll sie jetzt arbeiten? Als Kate die Stelle wider besseres Wissen antritt, ahnt sie nicht, dass dieser Schritt ins Ungewisse ihr Leben komplett auf den Kopf stellen wird ...
Elizabeth Camden ist Historikerin. Die Woche über arbeitet sie als Bibliothekarin, an den Wochenenden schreibt sie historische Romane. Zusammen mit ihrem Mann lebt sie in der Nähe von Orlando.
I stayed up way too late last night (yeah, like... nearly 3:00am) but I finished the book!!! ;D
This is such a good book! When I started reading, I wasn't so sure I was going to be able to say that. As the story progressed, though, I found myself liking it more and more. I also found myself crying... With a book like this, I think crying is inevitable, but that's okay. I also laughed. And sighed. It really is a very deep story rather than just being a light, fluffy read.
The story line was very interesting. Call me weird, but I have always been fascinated by tuberculosis and that is one reason I wanted to read this book in the first place. And I really liked the characters too. They were frustrating at times, but that is so realistic (after all, who do you know that doesn't have their frustrating moments?) and it didn't keep me from loving them just the same.
I did mostly figure out the mystery behind the harassment before anyone in the story even contemplated that option, but parts of it were still quite a surprise. And I don't mind figuring out the mystery early as long as the characters aren't being ridiculously dense and ignoring obvious clues in order to drag out the story. That wasn't the case in this book. I thought it was all resolved quite well.
As for the romance aspect of the story. Pretty tense at moments... and so sweet at others. I loved how it all turned out. And the epilogue? Perfect. Epilogues are very important to me. Sometimes, it can either make or break a story for me-- causing me to add a star or remove one. This one caused me to add one. I mean, I really liked the story already, but the epilogue just made it great. I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Age Appropriate For: 16 and up for romance and thematic elements, Best for Ages: 16 and up
I am always impressed by the diversity of Camden’s characters. There are very few of them that are alike in any way, and each of them has unique backstories and problems. With Every Breath introduced two people who have been competing with each other since they were in school. This story plunges you into the world of fighting tuberculosis, which makes it intriguing from the very beginning.
While I enjoyed the story, there were two drawbacks for me. First was the whole scene where Kate found Trevor with his shirt off. It could have been just a funny accident that was quickly over with, but it was drawn out to the point it felt dirty. The second was a personal taste thing: I just find it irritating when gown people are arguing like children. It was part of what made the characters who they were, but they did not endear themselves to me.
I really enjoyed the hospital where people are working so hard to fight a disease that, at the point this book was set, was not understood and was greatly feared. Put this in Washington DC and add a political angle, and things really come to life. The settings really make Camden’s books stand out from the crowd.
While Kate and Trevor were not my favorite characters that Camden has written, they felt very real. I did really appreciate how complicated their romance was and how it was resolved. Kate wants to love but is afraid when things get hard. She has to learn not to let fear control her.
I highly recommend this book to those who love historical fiction, romance, and superb writing.
This was fabulous! I love it when a book leaves you with that tight emotional feeling in the back of your throat. There was a lot of mystery in this one, as someone sets out to totally sabotage Trevor's career and makes threats against him. I loved how Kate and Trevor have such a good working relationship and how driven he was to fight TB. The only thing I didn't like was Kate's stubbornness. But I loved how the stray dog was the humble messenger that taught her to see things in a more far-seeing manner. And the epilogue was a perfect place to leave the story.
I’ve seen other reviewers say it, and now it’s my turn: Why did I wait so long to read this book? Elizabeth Camden is one of my very favorite authors. I knew this, and yet, it has been waiting in my to-be-read stack for some time. I enjoyed this book so much.
With Every Breath (2014, Bethany House) by Elizabeth Camden is a Christian historical romance (with a bit of mystery/suspense) set in Washington, D.C. in 1891. I selected this book because I’ve loved every book by Camden I’ve ever read, which, including this book, makes four as well as one novella. I’d better get cracking on the others!
5 stars
The Heroine
Kate Livingston, widowed for four years at age 29, is a very sharp young lady. Her parents run a prestigious boarding house in Washington, D.C., which tends to house people from the political scene. Kate’s time is divided between her job as a statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau and helping out at the boarding house.
The Hero
Trevor McDonough runs a tuberculosis research facility at the hospital. He is determined to either find a cure or make as much progress toward finding a cure as possible. When he is looking for someone to help him collect and compile data from his research, he thinks of Kate Livingston. Twelve years earlier, she fiercely competed with him for the position of valedictorian at their school. Kate is an intelligent and determined risk taker, is “fearless” and “wants to win as badly as I do.” She would fit the bill quite nicely.
What I liked:
*The hero, the hero, the hero! He once was weak but now is strong. And he’s very committed to his calling from God. I like how he enjoyed battling with Kate. I loved his emotionless facial expressions and the emotions that they hid.
“Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face. A fence post showed more emotion than his stern features.”
*I was completely convinced that the hero and heroine admired each other, as well as why they did so. I think it’s always important for the author to highlight what makes each person special to the other.
*I love antagonistic heroes and heroines! A favorite quote:
“No matter how miserable his morning, all he had to do was walk within ten feet of Kate and listen to her sling an insult at him and he felt better.”
What I didn’t like:
*I didn’t love Kate’s stubbornness midway through the story. I don’t consider it to be a flaw of the book, but it did frustrate me.
*I had to come back and edit this review because I forgot about this: The cover does not reflect the story at all. However, I don’t feel justified in modifying my 5-star rating because I know that Camden has zero control over her covers. In all honesty, though, I like the cover. :-)
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I very highly recommend this book to fans of Christian historical romance. Despite it’s very “girly” cover, I’m recommending this book to my husband and one other guy because of the awesome hero. I will certainly be reading Ms. Camden’s other novels, most likely Beyond All Dreams next.
Though Camden is a bit of a hit-or-miss author for me, I absolutely loved this book! I had read it once before, almost ten years ago, so I didn't remember much which made for a great journey with Kate and Trevor.♡ The plot was so fascinating; I am always so impressed with how seamlessly Camden is able to weave history into her stories without it sounding like a textbook. Learning about tuberculosis and early treatments of the illness were very interesting to read about, and I loved how passionate Trevor was about helping those affected. The relationship between him and Kate was so fun to read; the witty banter between the two of them had me cracking a smile many times, and the more tender moments were so sweet to read. I felt like their relationship developed very organically and I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow. They both had strong personalities I could sympathize with as I got to know them better. Camden did a great job in revealing details of their lives at the just the right time to keep the story (and their relationship) moving. In the more rocky moments of their relationship, their arguments did not sound childish or baseless, and I could see the logic in each of the points they made. I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, as well, and was totally surprised with the ending! I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you like learning about the history of medicine and sweet romances. :)
I’d recommend this book to readers who love the broody-type hero (like Mr. Darcy), especially if you love when the author tortures you with one of the best reasons for a hero to want to keep his distance from a woman he desperately loves. And if you love interesting historical/scientific information come to life, this book gives a fascinating glimpse into a time when Tuberculosis was super scary. There’s a reason this one is finaling in all the award contests this year!
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden Time Frame: 1879-1900 Location: Washington, D.C. Main Characters: Kate Norton , aka Kate Livingston Trevor McDonough, aka Dr. Trevor Kendall: academic competitor as teens, now Kate's employer Tick Norton: Kate's only surviving brother Mrs. Kendall: Head housekeeper and mother figure to Trevor Nurse Ackerman: Receiving nurse for the fifth floor tuberculosis ward
Synopsis
You know, you think if you read a book that deals primarily with tuberculosis that it would be dry, depressing and not a fun read. However, I was up until nearly 2 am the night I started this, fascinated by the relationships unfolding. The writing flowed not like someone trying to find the right words, not even like storytelling. More like showing you what to see, being there in the midst of conversations, walking around with them at the hospital or to dinner at the boarding house. What a talent to be so effortless with words.
The characters were unique, especially Trevor. There was affection, drama and humor. I'd forgotten Ms. Camden's humor. Watching Kate trying to get into his head, verbally sparring with him, then seeing his facade crack little by little as she gets under his skin was pure delight. Every time she got too close to his secrets, and asked what he was doing during a gap in the years of his awards and certificates, his reply was something like, "Minding my own business". He was always so calm with her, and even found her persistent curiosity endearing, but never gave her what she sought. I love when you are constantly wondering what is there to find out about a character. It made for a remarkable read!
I've never consulted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) before writing a book review. The CDC made a distinction between latent TB infection (person not contagious) and TB disease (person is contagious). The author mentioned these conditions, but did not label them as such (science learned more as years went by). Once the TB got in the bloodstream, it adversely compromised vital organs.
Trevor & Kate competed in HS for the highest class rank and a college scholarship. Guess who won? 12 years on these 2 met again, never wed Trevor & widowed Kate. He ran a 32 bed residential TB clinic inside a hospital & Kate came to work for him as a statistician.
Trevor worked as a surgeon and research MD on TB. TB was common in poor people & those who shared tight quarters (military etc), but b/c it was an air borne disease, Trevor considered all people susceptible. He theorized fresh air, sunlight, a good diet (high in protein) and his serum extended the life of a patient. Trevor sought a cure. In the course of the story, Trevor did emergency surgery on Kate!!
Someone sabatoged Trevor's research by spilling toxic mercury on his work desk & planting negative news stories. US Surgeon General for the Navy sanctioned this research but threatened to shut it down because of the controversies. The hero tracked down the troublemakers.
H + h grew to love ea. other. Kate asked "iron-hearted" Trevor: did he love her or his dangerous research more? This became the 'fly in the ointment.' The story had too much emphasis on Trevor's job & the controversies surrounding his research & not enough romance.
Ms Camden is a good writer, & she makes history come alive. A head's up- it may be off-putting to some readers to see prayer, Bible quotes & God's will references. To other readers, this will be fine. I believe her book Into the Whirlwind (v good IIRC ) won the RITA award?
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time just because of the gorgeous cover.
After reading Summer of Dreams, I was afraid I may be disappointed.
I wasn't disappointed at all. I loved this book. I loved Trevor and Kate. I loved their rivalry. They were both flawed in such an endearing way.
This book is kinda like an Anne and Gilbert with a touch of Mr. Darcy.
The struggles Kate and Trevor battle were heartwrenching and real. Reading the half point through the end was torture in a really-good-book kind of way. It will probably not be the only time I read this book.
There are a couple of "fast forward" parts (kissing or improper touching before marriage) but they weren't excessive.
Elizabeth Camden is a very solid writer, and I haven't read a book of hers yet that hasn't completely drawn me in. The way she writes the dialogue between her characters is amazing, and I find that in all her books, the banter between characters flows well and is incredibly funny. I loved the two main protagonists Kate and Trevor, and found their relationship to be well fleshed out. I really don't have any complaints. Solid writing, solid characterization. 4 stars.
I am in love!!!!! The story has everything - God, trials, love, patience, suspense and history! I love Trevor and how stayed focus on his God-given tasks and trusting him for everything. The author has certainly done tons of research before writing which made even realist.
Why no 5 stars? Kate started well as a darling, towards the middle, she became very annoying and extremely selfish! I feel like shaking her up. Glad Trevor was a very patient man to tolerate her moodiness.
Wow wow WOW! This book is now one of my all time favorites, for sure!
When I first started it, I wasn't sure I was going to like it because Kate seemed really overbearing in my opinion. Then as I was listening to the rest of it, I figured out why I didn't like her at first, because she reminded me of myself. 🤣 Kate is absolutely obsessed with control of her life and those of her loved ones around her. She is scared to lose them. I can relate to that so much! The amount of growth she hadn't the end of the story was truly amazing. At some point, we all need to realize that giving control up to God is the best decision and we will be better for it.
I always knew I liked to watch historical medical drama in movies and shows but I've never read a book with that subject matter. This book made me realize that I should explore this genre even more because it had me HOOKED. I love learning more and more about parts of history I know almost nothing about. The heart break that must have gone with medical research like this would have truly done me in and I have a great respect for those who wanted to find a cure.
One of the best things about this book is the perfection of the chemistry between Trevor and Kate. 😍🔥 Give me a brooding MMC and a sassy MFC and I'll be happy pretty much every time if done well. This was done so well and I loved every second!
This book has a permanent place on my shelf and I will definitely be reading Elizabeth Camden again, you can count on it!
I agree with the reviewing majority – this is a five-star work! The writing is superb, the characterization fantastic, and the story revelatory of the story's setting. Other reviewers have dissected the story itself at great length, so I need to add nothing in that regard. I must say that I was impressed by the lack of obvious spelling, grammar, and other editing errors. I cannot say that very often in recent times.
With Every Breath is not a light-hearted work. It reveals the heartbreaking realities facing those who had to deal with the number one cause of death for many over multiple generations – Tuberculosis. Ms. Camden successfully opens the door to reveal the disease’s effects on both those afflicted and those fighting to find a cure. Unfortunately, the HEA conclusion for this book is realized only by Kate and Trevor as the cure for the subject disease is not discovered for decades after the closing chapter. This work may be a work of fiction, but it seems to shed the light of understanding on the realities of the time.
With Every Breath is most definitely the second best book I've read this far in 2020! It was thrilling, aggravating, mysterious, intriguing, and beautiful. I absolutely love reading a book that contains both mystery and romance while teaching me about the struggles people faced in times past. This book definitely fit the bill with the wonderful story bound to be read in an Elizabeth Camden novel!
3.5 stars. A solid read. This was well written, with interesting albeit sad historical details about tuberculosis and the medical research battle waged against it. The H’s backstory just about broke my heart. At the beginning, I never thought I would warm up to him, but Elizabeth Camden convinced me to love him instead. Was he frustratingly rude at times? Absolutely. Did I wish at one point that the h would stop falling in love with him? Yes. But after his secrets were revealed, I saw him through a brand new lens.
The characters were well developed, the solution to the mystery stumped me, and the slow burn love story was a joy to read. I liked that the h wasn’t a doormat and the fact that both MC communicated their feelings to one another. I also appreciated that the h was the one who got married, the H wasn’t a tomcat, and that there wasn’t any pining done by either of them. The was necessary for the believability of the story and the epilogue was a welcome treat.
So why not more stars? Well, the beginning was so very slow. I almost put it down but am glad that I kept reading. The H was also very mean in the beginning and even though I know the real reason for it now, it was hard to read. However, I’d still recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical inspirational fiction. I loved the reminder that God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of boldness.
This was my first read of Elizabeth Camden's and I must say I was very impressed with her writing and this book! This book is certainly a shelf keeper. One thing I loved about this book was the medical information, personally I LOVE this kind of stuff. It kept me interested and it also kept me turning the pages. Her historical detail was also very intriguing, not overwhelming but enough so that it brought the story to life. Another thing I really loved was the competition between Trevor and Kate, it was funny and I enjoyed it very much, possibly because I could see myself being that competitive. Trevor, the hero of this book researches tuberculosis and it was absolutely fascinating to me! He was a wounded hero, of sorts on the inside anyway. He tries to act cold and impassive so he isn't hurt by things of present. There were so many things about Trevor that I could relate to. Like him building walls up around his heart. But, as his character shows us, no matter how hard we try, we can't outrun our feelings. He was really a gentle soul though behind it all. He cared for people so much that it was his defense to try and not get attached. He is extremely passionate about his calling, which is finding a cure for tuberculosis. His passion was so lovable. A passion for curing something that hurt people, being so determined to cure something so complex and would let nothing hold him back. Trevor isn't your normal hero, he isn't described as drop dead gorgeous but seeing him through Kate's eyes made him so handsome, I really loved his character. Now for Kate, the heroine of this book. She is sassy, sarcastic at times, determined, bold and also loving. The audaciousness she displayed was laughable because she would always kind of stun Trevor with her response, the same for when she was sarcastic. It either stunned him or made him crack a smile. She is determined to make her new job work even though at first she can't stand the insufferable Trevor McDonough. She says what she thinks and asks what she want to know. Sometimes she can seem a bit nosy but I consider her a very curious person and who can blame her, for she really knew nothing about her new employer. I must say I would have been nagging a bit like her to see if I could find out what drove him. Who he really was inside. Kate cared a lot for people and that hurt her because it meant her facing her biggest fear. Her hurts and fears made her feel real and I loved her character. Since the characters were both former friends, or should I say enemies? They used to compete in school so their banter started right away. It made their friendship interesting. Another thing I love is that they were friends before the romantic feelings started coming into play. Also there was some mystery in the book, it wasn't the main focus of the book but it was enough to keep me guessing and wondering who was behind the mystery. I loved this book, the only thing I would like to comment about is toward the end it started dragging on just a little bit. Not so much that it was annoying I just thought it could have gone just a little bit faster. But, other than that I really enjoyed this book and I give it five stars! I received this book from The Book Club Network Inc for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are mine.
Government worker Kate Livingston is good with numbers. Yet her current supervisor fires anyone who seeks a better position. She lost out on a college scholarship to Trevor McDonough and has had to work hard for everything ever since. When she is invited to interview for a data position at the hospital, Kate is shocked and startled to learn that the young doctor is none other than Trevor McDonough, her old rival. Even though it means working closely with Trevor on a daily basis, Kate accepts the position to analyze data in the hopes of finding a cure for tuberculosis. She soon is fascinated by not only the data, but by the secrets Trevor is hiding. Can she trust her heart to him? And when Trevor's secret is exposed, will they both learn to trust?
I've read several of Elizabeth Camden's books over the years and each one is beautifully written and researched. I think that this one may be my favorite one of hers to date.
First, I love the cover. It's so pretty. It's light and airy and I had no idea of the depths of the book just by looking at the cover.
I also loved Kate. It's not often that I read about a heroine who is smart and actually gets to use her intelligence! So that was very refreshing. I loved her struggle, especially once she knew that she loved Trevor, on whether or not she could let him go if need be. She'd already lost one person she loved, and I understood how she was afraid to allow herself to care for someone else she may loose.
Trevor was a character who was wounded by things in his life, but he was determined to help others, even at the risk of his own health. I loved how he was willing to step up and take action for what he believed in.
Overall, I'd have to say that this was a surprising book for me. I certainly didn't see the twist of Trevor's past being what it was. I also was surprised that I read this in about 4 hours one night, when I'd really not been meaning to at all.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of Elizabeth Camden, Jody Hedlund, historical fiction
This is such a powerful book! It is packed full of historical detail and lots of medical information which truly enhances the story and never weighs it down. I already knew a little background on tuberculosis, however I now feel that I know so much more!
Kate and Trevor are such interesting characters. They captured my interest from the beginning. Both are extremely competitive and very smart. Kate and Trevor interact with others in very opposite ways. Kate is open and able to read the situation. She can adapt and find a way to connect with the person she is speaking to. Trevor comes off as harsh and uncaring, and often will walk away from a conversation that he is frustrated with.
Although they are different in many ways, Kate and Trevor falling in love really makes sense. I love Kate’s sensitive heart and understand how her fears feel overwhelming to her at times. We slowly glimpse Trevor’s past throughout the book, and it is not a happy one. His strange ways make more sense when these truths are revealed.
With Every Breath is a story that is going to stick with me for a very long time. It really made me think about the degree to which I need to be able to put my faith in God. He sees the big picture, when I can only see a portion of it. This is a wonderful book with a beautiful romance, a scary disease, and a mysterious foe who tries to undermine all of Trevor’s hard work. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
Not only thoroughly engrossing, but also richly accented with a thought-provoking message, With Every Breath was a novel well worth reading. Elizabeth Camden does seem to have a habit of making such books. :) She mixes romance and faith with interesting, historically-rich happenings—in this case, the medical battle against tuberculosis. I find I really, really enjoy this peek at history... as it is portrayed in a style that leaves you intrigued.
In this story, we meet Kate Livingston, a young widow with brains, determination, and a warm, caring heart. She does have a flaw... her abnormally-consuming fear. That presents a problem as she crosses paths with a doctor full of secrets, and starts to fall in love. Dr. T. M. Kendall is determined to find a cure for tuberculosis, the awful disease that is claiming lives right and left. He faithfully works with his ill patients, who will all be dead within the year most likely, despite hate letters being sent his way, and one unforgettable young woman's interest.
I was captivated at once by With Every Breath. It was fascinating to walk into a tuberculosis hospital searching for a cure in the late 1800s, and see what the hopeless disease was like, how things were done. Well, it was fascinating and terrible all at once. It definitely gives you a deep appreciation for all those doctors who worked so hard to learn more about/find cures for fatal illnesses. I learned a lot. I just love when a novel does that for me, :)
Trevor was a wonderful character; very likeable despite his frosty demeanor. At times, his heartless quips were frustrating; but once you learned his background and past and all that, they were understandable and even relatable. Overall, a very real character... he very much did his part to really make the story.
Kate was slightly annoying at times, but mostly very relatable as well. In fact, I found myself thinking, “Hmmm, I struggle with that too.” I felt her pain, her fear, her hopelessness. It was awesome to watch her overcome some of her struggles; I feel Elizabeth Camden brought that about quite flawlessly.
Also, I felt Elizabeth Camden really made the faith element of this story bigger than in some of her other books, perhaps. As I mentioned above, a really amazing message. And the romance, it wasn't all-consuming, can't-live-without-you; but rather... well, read this story and you'll see. It came about in a very amazing way, and I really loved it! Talk about a love story orchestrated by God, :)
So with two flawed but lovely characters, a study of tuberculosis, a sinister mystery, a beautiful romance, and faith woven flawlessly into the seams of this story, With Every Breath was a great historical fiction. A favorite!
I received a free copy of With Every Breath from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I've been a fan on Camden's novels ever since reading The Rose of Winslow Street, and falling in love with it! Ever since then I've been eager to get my hands on her other novels, and this newest one was no exception, upon it's recent release! I absolutely adored this novel and the characters; however I do feel like The Rose of Winslow Street is still my favorite Elizabeth Camden novel. But, With Every Breath is a close second!
This story surprised me when it captivated me within it's pages, and kept me saying "just one more chapter"; which all book lovers can relate with. I couldn't put it down! The pages flew by for me, despite the fact that I usually pay close attention to the page numbers and how many pages are left in a book. For some reason I'm like that, but with this book I'd look up and think how strange it was that 50 pages just flew by! That is the sign of a good book: if it places you into the story, and makes you loose track of time.
Camden has penned a brilliant novel! While this story doesn't have a whole bunch of main characters, and heavily focuses on the two main characters, it's anything but a drab and bland storyline! I think the fact that Camden chose to focus the story on the two main characters made for a better reading experience, since you really got to know the main characters-which I really did. I definitely felt this way with these characters, and rarely feel such a close connection to book characters. I truly was able to say at the end of this book that I was sad to see the story come to a close!
This story was set in the 1800s, a time when doctors were researching how to cure tuberculosis which was a horrible illness that so many people lost their lives to. The time period in itself was extremely interesting to learn about, but alongside the meaningful characters, it made for an exquisite story, and one that was a favorite of all the books I've read this year!
I would highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction, as it's a heart-felt story that will make you sad to finish reading!
D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of With Every Breath through the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.
What I'm starting to love about Historical fiction is learning more about subjects I have a limited or no knowledge about. This was the case with this book. I enjoyed reading about how medical research was done on tuberculosis. I especially enjoyed reading about Louis Pasteur - we have a hospital here named after him, but only after reading his name in this book I took it a step further and researched his name.
Apart from the history, there was also a mystery on who is trying to sabotage Trevor. I did guess the person correct very early in the story, but there was a twist I did not see coming.
I really enjoyed the characters. Kate was a strong, smart young lady and I enjoyed seeing how she had to overcome the challenges of the time (women not expected in such important roles) and also how she had to grow personally.
Trevor, though he came across as aloof, I actually enjoyed. I loved his strong willed character and the mystery about his past kept me intrigued (though I did expect more of a revelation than what it actually was).
I especially enjoyed Kate and Trevor's banter and competition with each other.
Why then only 3 stars... though I enjoyed the story and the characters, it took me forever to get through this book. It was good, but not good enough to pick it up whenever I did have a spare moment.
I am having a hard time reviewing this book.. I cannot find the words to express just how much I loved it. The characters are amazing. The writing is wonderful. The story line keeps you guessing until the very end. The subject matter is hard to think about but so educational. I never knew so much about Tuberculosis. This book grabs your heart and your mind. I struggled right up to the end because I could totally relate to what the girl was going through. I felt her pain because I have a similar situation. Its between taking a chance on love or are you taking a chance on feeling pain that you could avoid? I cannot say much more or I will give the plot away. But trust me when I say I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. It's my second book by Elizabeth Camden and I am looking forward to reading more of her stories. I highly recommend this book to all ages and backgrounds. You get a good idea of how medical things were handled at this time period and how far we have come today. I got this book free from Bethany House for an honest review..and I HONESTLY think its one of the best I have read in a long time. I encourage you to read it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!
I’ve been flying through Camden’s stories after falling in love with her Hope and Glory series. The way she creates relatable characters and brings little-known history to life is riveting!
Trevor and Kate are old school chum rivals. Think Anne Shirley & Gilbert Blythe and turn the dial up even higher. Watching them fall in love was pretty cute because of the grumpy x sunshine dynamics. Trevor’s coldness gave me a bit of whiplash personally, but Kate handled him well.
The way they work together is incredible; both are determined and relentless. The hunt for a cure for tuberculosis needed both. Kate’s lived in fear most of her life, losing two of her brothers and her husband. She doesn’t fear death but dying, and is ruled by that fear of losing what she loves. Trevor is fueled by a desire to eradicate a deadly disease but is detached from the personal side of things because of the heartache it causes him. He fears caring too much.
There’s no shortage of drama, from mystery and a chilling framing job to romantic hurdles. It’s an emotional, rollercoaster journey of romance and history and living despite the fear.
Where can I start? It seems there are books that you read that you can put down and forget that you were reading them. Then there are others that the characters pull you into their world, tie their hearts to yours, and make you forget where you are at. This was one of those books. For the time I spent reading this Advanced Review Copy, I felt like I was battling out the fight against TB myself. If there is a book that will make you grateful for medical advances, this one will certainly do the trick.
Ms. Camden is a talented writer. I feel like when I finish one of her books, she leaves you with a longing for more. Only the best authors have that talent. Her stories are not mundane, they touch on topics that you may not have thought about throughout history.
The underlying storyline as well, which spoke about a scared, illegitimate child that is fighting not only a horrific disease, but a nation of scared people that fight him and his goals will touch your heart as well.
This is a book you will want to preorder now, if you enjoy historical fiction.
Elizabeth Camden's books are so well researched, and this one is no exception. I love the backdrop of the tuberculosis epidemic. It seems Camden's novels just breathe life into historical events, and I felt the hopelessness and panic that communities felt. It set the mood and tone for two dynamic characters.
I love Kate and Trevor. I loved their back and forth, how they challenged each other. Their feistiness offset a sad topic.
I also loved the theme of living life, celebrating every breath, and trusting God with what might come next.
Fans of historical fiction will love this book. Of course, Camden fans will be thrilled with this newest story, and fans of Jody Hedlund will also enjoy this tale.
I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
I loved this book! Kate is feisty, smart and kind. All through school she competed with Trevor, who was unfeeling, unfriendly and cold. Now, years later, they are working together as Trevor looks for a cure for tuberculosis. I liked watching Kate discover who Trevor really is under his unfeeling mask and the reasons he has it on. It is such a good reminder not to judge others by what we see. The book also reminds us of the importance of putting our trust in God. I enjoyed the banter between Kate and Trevor, and watching their romance develop. The mystery in the book was good. I figured out part of it, but was totally surprised by many elements of the answer. And there's an epilogue!! I love it when there's an epilogue!
4.5 stars Another wonderful read from Elizabeth Camden, With Every Breath was an intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable adventure! I loved how the characters remained consistent through the end (even ending with a competition of sorts). Even when they frustrated me I had to admit that their decisions were realistic and in character. Loved it. I look forward to Camden's next work, Beyond All Dreams!
Kate and Trevor are two super competitive people who are meant to be together. Their romance is the glue that holds this book together. Wonderful story about the difficulties in treating tuberculosis in the 19th century. I received my copy through NetGalley but this book is worth paying full price for. Highly recommend. This book will make "best of" lists for 2014 I feel sure. The pacing and the plot are seamless. And wonderful job of HEA ending that makes you want to read her next book. I'd love to read more about the characters in this story and wish it was part of a series.
I was surprised by how intense this book is! The main characters are both strong and flawed in different ways, so it was very interesting to read their interactions as they worked toward a common goal. Their personalities and pasts are revealed layer by layer- I was riveted by several facets of the story. A great historical novel!
(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)