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Who Needs Air
They fell in love at thirteen. He wrote a book about it at twenty. She watched him walk away at twenty-three. And he made the New York Times Best Sellers list at twenty-four. Campbell ‘Cam’ Potter stood idly by as August Wyatt took over the world one word at a time. Chapter by chapter, people fell in love with the story he created – the events she lived. And now the book was being made into a movie, it was only a matter of time before August was back in their small hometown in Georgia. The problem was, when August left five years ago, Cam made a promise to herself. The ending in his book would be the conclusion to their story. There was no sequel, no second chance, no possibility of ever seeing him again. He obliterated her heart and she was determined to never let it happen again. That is, until Cam gets a late night text from the heartbreaker himself. New chapters are written, fresh storylines are explored and Cam and August find a familiarity in one another. Sometimes THE END doesn’t mean it’s over.
268 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
46 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Graham
14 books244 followersA USA Today Bestselling Author, an avid K-pop listener (Stray Kids Stay and BTS ARMY, where you at?!), K-drama connoisseur and a reader of all kinds of love, Cassie Graham has been writing stories since she was thirteen years old. With nine books published since 2013, she prefers getting lost in her own love stories. Both the real one she lives with her sweet husband and the fictional ones she writes in order to feed her soul. A mother to the most wonderful kid in the world, you'll likely find them fangirling over BTS together or walking the streets of Main Street USA in Disneyland - her second home. Currently studying hard to learn the beautiful language of South Korea - Hangul, she can't wait to travel the world.
The author of feel-good romances like Maybe Ever After, The Girl Behind the Red Door and Thank You, Next Chapter, she also dabs her big toe in Paranormal Romance with her previously released novels, Enchanting Wilder and Surviving Wilder. She's on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. You can always sit at her table.
The author of feel-good romances like Maybe Ever After, The Girl Behind the Red Door and Thank You, Next Chapter, she also dabs her big toe in Paranormal Romance with her previously released novels, Enchanting Wilder and Surviving Wilder. She's on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. You can always sit at her table.
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April 28, 2017
**********Spoiler Alert**********
"He turns away for the door and places his hand on the door knob. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”
You’re cordially invited to the marriage of Tomi Laurel Hallan and August Eugene Wyatt on June seventeenth at eighteen hundred hours.
“No,” he says. “I have to. I’d marry you today if I could. She might have my hand, but Tomi will never have my heart.”
Anguish surges through my heart. What an awful life he’ll have to live – what an unbearable truth I’m burdened with."
I wondered at times at various points of the book if the heroine actually suffered from lack of oxygen to the brain.Her reactions where more appropriate for a teenager than for a mature woman losing her lover,it was almost as if her brother were getting married and not the love of her life.
She was more concerned about the major sacrifice the 'hero' was making in marrying a 'horrible' woman than the fact that he was a spineless slug and actually marrying someone else.Tomi the other woman must have not been as despicable as the August made her out to be if he managed to f#@k her.
“I loved you when we went to college together and when I wrote our love story. I loved you when I thought you’d given up. I loved you when I walked away, broken. I still loved you when I came home. Belle, I loved you when I asked Tomi to marry me. And I sure as hell loved you when you agreed to let me go.”
Yes all the above but he did not love her ENOUGH to not marry another woman until he was forced not to because of external revelations.He choose the heroine in the end as a second choice only when the other was no longer available.
"He turns away for the door and places his hand on the door knob. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”
You’re cordially invited to the marriage of Tomi Laurel Hallan and August Eugene Wyatt on June seventeenth at eighteen hundred hours.
“No,” he says. “I have to. I’d marry you today if I could. She might have my hand, but Tomi will never have my heart.”
Anguish surges through my heart. What an awful life he’ll have to live – what an unbearable truth I’m burdened with."
I wondered at times at various points of the book if the heroine actually suffered from lack of oxygen to the brain.Her reactions where more appropriate for a teenager than for a mature woman losing her lover,it was almost as if her brother were getting married and not the love of her life.
She was more concerned about the major sacrifice the 'hero' was making in marrying a 'horrible' woman than the fact that he was a spineless slug and actually marrying someone else.Tomi the other woman must have not been as despicable as the August made her out to be if he managed to f#@k her.
“I loved you when we went to college together and when I wrote our love story. I loved you when I thought you’d given up. I loved you when I walked away, broken. I still loved you when I came home. Belle, I loved you when I asked Tomi to marry me. And I sure as hell loved you when you agreed to let me go.”
Yes all the above but he did not love her ENOUGH to not marry another woman until he was forced not to because of external revelations.He choose the heroine in the end as a second choice only when the other was no longer available.
April 28, 2017
Who Needs Air by Cassie Graham
3 stars!!!
I was head over heels in love with this book until the last 25% and then for me it all got a little stupid, predictable and blinkin’ annoying and this was incredibly frustrating. Up until the part that shall not be named I had been rapt from the first word, a stunning story that had tugged at my heart strings and was holding me emotionally captive page after page. I love a second chance romance and this was gearing up to be one of the best, until it wasn’t.
Campbell (Belle) and August were childhood sweethearts and were inseparable. Their relationship was tight, strong and meant the world to them, they were best friends and then August got the opportunity of a life time.
August was an author and while in college his novel got picked up by a publisher and so he needed to move to New York. Miscommunication and misunderstandings meant that these two fell apart and now that the novel is being made into a film and being filmed where Campbell lives, their paths are destined to cross again. The book…their love story.
Who Needs Air is beautifully written and I fell in love with this authors voice from the very beginning. Being an author, August has a way with words and the dialogue between these two had so many emotions intertwined that I found myself anticipating every scene between them. Cassie Graham brought these characters to life with ease and their story, within a story, was a truly glorious read.
Belle was a great character until the end and then she just became a doormat which was one of the things that really irritated me. Knowing what these two had been through and the struggle to get to where they were, you would have thought there would have been a lot more verbiage before rash decisions are made and this is one of my pet peeves together with when characters act out of character. Learn from your mistakes!
I hate that it ended this way for me, but this is just me and my personal tastes, what didn’t work for me, may work for you. Despite the ending I still enjoyed it, that first 75% was seriously awesome.
www.theromancecover.com
3 stars!!!
“Maybe the chapter is over, but our story isn’t done.”
I was head over heels in love with this book until the last 25% and then for me it all got a little stupid, predictable and blinkin’ annoying and this was incredibly frustrating. Up until the part that shall not be named I had been rapt from the first word, a stunning story that had tugged at my heart strings and was holding me emotionally captive page after page. I love a second chance romance and this was gearing up to be one of the best, until it wasn’t.
Campbell (Belle) and August were childhood sweethearts and were inseparable. Their relationship was tight, strong and meant the world to them, they were best friends and then August got the opportunity of a life time.
“He’s water and I’m air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. We’re deadly, but we’re also life-giving. I’ll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me.”
August was an author and while in college his novel got picked up by a publisher and so he needed to move to New York. Miscommunication and misunderstandings meant that these two fell apart and now that the novel is being made into a film and being filmed where Campbell lives, their paths are destined to cross again. The book…their love story.
Who Needs Air is beautifully written and I fell in love with this authors voice from the very beginning. Being an author, August has a way with words and the dialogue between these two had so many emotions intertwined that I found myself anticipating every scene between them. Cassie Graham brought these characters to life with ease and their story, within a story, was a truly glorious read.
“My happily ever after was gone right then, and we didn’t even get to finish the book.”
Belle was a great character until the end and then she just became a doormat which was one of the things that really irritated me. Knowing what these two had been through and the struggle to get to where they were, you would have thought there would have been a lot more verbiage before rash decisions are made and this is one of my pet peeves together with when characters act out of character. Learn from your mistakes!
“You’re the best chapter I’ve ever written, Belle, and the one I never want to stop writing.”
I hate that it ended this way for me, but this is just me and my personal tastes, what didn’t work for me, may work for you. Despite the ending I still enjoyed it, that first 75% was seriously awesome.
www.theromancecover.com
February 24, 2019
4 Stars
Read full review here: Brina and the Books
How often have you read a book that made you genuinely happy? And I don't mean a re-read of your favorite book, because, well, it is obvious that it makes you happy. I mean a new book. One that you were a little skeptic about at first because the blurb sounded too good to be true. A new book with a great plot, a little drama and the perfect ending. I've read a bunch of books so far this year, but only a few made me feel this way, and, minor issues aside, Who Needs Air was one of them.
In one of my previous reviews I mentioned that second-chance novels are not special per se. It is rather what the author makes of this theme that makes a second-chance novel stand out. And after finishing Who Needs Air, I can say with certainty that Cassie Graham did great. Because what is more romantic than a male hero who becomes a bestselling author with publishing the epic love story of him and the love of his life? Of course there is the fact that he walked out on her years ago but who wouldn't give a guy like that a second chance? A guy who comes back groveling and telling her that their love story is far from over? That there are more chapters yet to come?
"You're the best chapter I've ever written, Belle, and the one I never want to stop writing."
I haven't felt it in a long time, but seeing August fight for Belle and their relationship had my tummy filling with butterflies. You could literally feel the sparks between them.
Cassie found a unique way of adding flashbacks to the story. They gave me as a reader a better understanding of young Belle and August and their shared history.
The secondary characters in Who Needs Air were great, well, except for one of them. The rest, which included the best friend, were supportive, mature, kind and not annoying at all. They were people I could easily see myself becoming friends with.
The reason why I didn't give the book the full amount of stars was because of two guys: Beau and August. Beau's stunt in Belle's office was odd and something that could've been left out. Personally, it didn't fit well with the rest of the plot.
Now you will think: "What has August done? I thought you loved him?!" The answer is simple: I do love him but his reaction "to the plot twist" was not right and well thought through on his side. It was like history repeating itself. He could've reacted way better. I get why he did what he did but the 'how' was an a**hole move of him.
**I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.**
**********
Review to come!
Read full review here: Brina and the Books
How often have you read a book that made you genuinely happy? And I don't mean a re-read of your favorite book, because, well, it is obvious that it makes you happy. I mean a new book. One that you were a little skeptic about at first because the blurb sounded too good to be true. A new book with a great plot, a little drama and the perfect ending. I've read a bunch of books so far this year, but only a few made me feel this way, and, minor issues aside, Who Needs Air was one of them.
In one of my previous reviews I mentioned that second-chance novels are not special per se. It is rather what the author makes of this theme that makes a second-chance novel stand out. And after finishing Who Needs Air, I can say with certainty that Cassie Graham did great. Because what is more romantic than a male hero who becomes a bestselling author with publishing the epic love story of him and the love of his life? Of course there is the fact that he walked out on her years ago but who wouldn't give a guy like that a second chance? A guy who comes back groveling and telling her that their love story is far from over? That there are more chapters yet to come?
"You're the best chapter I've ever written, Belle, and the one I never want to stop writing."
I haven't felt it in a long time, but seeing August fight for Belle and their relationship had my tummy filling with butterflies. You could literally feel the sparks between them.
Cassie found a unique way of adding flashbacks to the story. They gave me as a reader a better understanding of young Belle and August and their shared history.
The secondary characters in Who Needs Air were great, well, except for one of them. The rest, which included the best friend, were supportive, mature, kind and not annoying at all. They were people I could easily see myself becoming friends with.
The reason why I didn't give the book the full amount of stars was because of two guys: Beau and August. Beau's stunt in Belle's office was odd and something that could've been left out. Personally, it didn't fit well with the rest of the plot.
Now you will think: "What has August done? I thought you loved him?!" The answer is simple: I do love him but his reaction "to the plot twist" was not right and well thought through on his side. It was like history repeating itself. He could've reacted way better. I get why he did what he did but the 'how' was an a**hole move of him.
**I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.**
**********
Review to come!
April 24, 2017
3.5 Stars-It's the Ending....
What an insane turn of events for me while reading this book! I'm going to have to say, I've never gone from a five star to a three and a half like I did this time around. Up until the seventy percent mark, I was all in. Loving the characters, as well as the storyline and then it went to hell in a handbasket just that fast. I'm talking head spinning fast.
"It's useless without her. I'm hopeless without my air."
Aw he is a storyteller through and through. August and Belle were young and in love, communication not being thier strong point when thier love fell apart. Misunderstandings and years apart never dimmed the light on the love they carried for each other. He left thier small town to become a big time author, she stayed and made a good life for herself. Now he's back to claim what was always his.
"Remember to breathe. And never forget what she means to you. Even if you screwed everything up."
Famous last words. Words that Belle, being a nicer gal that I would have been, let the screwing up part slide and August right back into her heart. Actually he never left, so letting him come back wasn't all that hard for her. Even with everything surrounding his best selling book and now movie, August and Belle quickly make up for lost time.
"I don't think I even lost what I felt for him. It simply always laid dormant in my body, waiting to be felt again."
I absolutely loved this couple. Once the air was cleared between them (no pun intended) I did nothing but root for them. Sure they both saw other people in the five years that had passed, but now they were together. Nothing but August and Belle, until IT happened.
This is going to be annoying, as I have to be vague to protect Cassie Graham's storylines, however what she did to Belle in the last quarter of this book absolutely enraged me. All of the sudden she becomes a doormat, while August makes one idiotic decision after another. It was as if the ending of the book was an afterthought, so the last twenty five percent was utter emotional and ridiculous chaos. One unbelievable scenario after the next, which made me start to skim. Bigtime. I couldn't handle it. I don't know, maybe Belle is more evolved, but there is no way in hell I would put up with the crap this guy was dishing out. No. Way.
Sorry for the vent.
That said, the book was well written and I really enjoyed August and Belle at the beginning, as well as the supporting characters. Who Needs Air reads as a standalone with a short epilogue to wrap things up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
What an insane turn of events for me while reading this book! I'm going to have to say, I've never gone from a five star to a three and a half like I did this time around. Up until the seventy percent mark, I was all in. Loving the characters, as well as the storyline and then it went to hell in a handbasket just that fast. I'm talking head spinning fast.
"It's useless without her. I'm hopeless without my air."
Aw he is a storyteller through and through. August and Belle were young and in love, communication not being thier strong point when thier love fell apart. Misunderstandings and years apart never dimmed the light on the love they carried for each other. He left thier small town to become a big time author, she stayed and made a good life for herself. Now he's back to claim what was always his.
"Remember to breathe. And never forget what she means to you. Even if you screwed everything up."
Famous last words. Words that Belle, being a nicer gal that I would have been, let the screwing up part slide and August right back into her heart. Actually he never left, so letting him come back wasn't all that hard for her. Even with everything surrounding his best selling book and now movie, August and Belle quickly make up for lost time.
"I don't think I even lost what I felt for him. It simply always laid dormant in my body, waiting to be felt again."
I absolutely loved this couple. Once the air was cleared between them (no pun intended) I did nothing but root for them. Sure they both saw other people in the five years that had passed, but now they were together. Nothing but August and Belle, until IT happened.
This is going to be annoying, as I have to be vague to protect Cassie Graham's storylines, however what she did to Belle in the last quarter of this book absolutely enraged me. All of the sudden she becomes a doormat, while August makes one idiotic decision after another. It was as if the ending of the book was an afterthought, so the last twenty five percent was utter emotional and ridiculous chaos. One unbelievable scenario after the next, which made me start to skim. Bigtime. I couldn't handle it. I don't know, maybe Belle is more evolved, but there is no way in hell I would put up with the crap this guy was dishing out. No. Way.
Sorry for the vent.
That said, the book was well written and I really enjoyed August and Belle at the beginning, as well as the supporting characters. Who Needs Air reads as a standalone with a short epilogue to wrap things up.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
Read
April 28, 2017Review to come...
*An ARC was received in exchange for n honest review. Trust me, it'll be honest.
*An ARC was received in exchange for n honest review. Trust me, it'll be honest.
October 5, 2018
Who Needs Air by Cassie Graham has everything I love about contemporary books wrapped up in a beautiful little rectangle of artistry. This book is by far her best yet - she's just getting started y'all. She's one to watch out for!
My favorite things about Cassie's books are the relatable characters! I may not always like the character, but I can usually find a way to relate to them or at least understand why they do the things they do. WNA was no different, August and Cam are #relationshipgoals. Cam's Mom has just a small part in this novel, but she by far takes the damn cake! She's got wit for days and boo-coo-doodles of sass too!
August Wyatt is a writer, words are his life. Campbell Potter is an appraiser at a Georgia museum, and the girl of his dreams... even now, years after they called it quits without even getting any closure. The bestseller that August wrote is being turned into a movie, and is slated to start filming in the small hometown where they both grew up. The town where Cam still lives, and works. While most of us can predict what might happen next - there are a lot of bumps, bruises, and hurts along the journey to the end of this book. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, and I [almost] threw my kindle at the wall because of August. Life isn't life without drama, and while I hated every minute of the strife had in this book, I also LOVED it just as much.
This is Cassie's best work yet and the tidbits of August's story mixed all through the chapters were the icing on the metaphorical cake. It shows true talent to be able to write a book, within a book, and make the authors sound completely different. I think she pulled this little trick off so well, and it also gave tons of insight into their past as a couple; and also hope for their future.
Now, warning, there is a HUGE easter egg in this book - pertaining to Anyone by Him, so you might wanna pick that one up first if you don't care to be spoiled... but otherwise, read on friends. You won't be sorry that you did.
My favorite things about Cassie's books are the relatable characters! I may not always like the character, but I can usually find a way to relate to them or at least understand why they do the things they do. WNA was no different, August and Cam are #relationshipgoals. Cam's Mom has just a small part in this novel, but she by far takes the damn cake! She's got wit for days and boo-coo-doodles of sass too!
August Wyatt is a writer, words are his life. Campbell Potter is an appraiser at a Georgia museum, and the girl of his dreams... even now, years after they called it quits without even getting any closure. The bestseller that August wrote is being turned into a movie, and is slated to start filming in the small hometown where they both grew up. The town where Cam still lives, and works. While most of us can predict what might happen next - there are a lot of bumps, bruises, and hurts along the journey to the end of this book. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, and I [almost] threw my kindle at the wall because of August. Life isn't life without drama, and while I hated every minute of the strife had in this book, I also LOVED it just as much.
This is Cassie's best work yet and the tidbits of August's story mixed all through the chapters were the icing on the metaphorical cake. It shows true talent to be able to write a book, within a book, and make the authors sound completely different. I think she pulled this little trick off so well, and it also gave tons of insight into their past as a couple; and also hope for their future.
Now, warning, there is a HUGE easter egg in this book - pertaining to Anyone by Him, so you might wanna pick that one up first if you don't care to be spoiled... but otherwise, read on friends. You won't be sorry that you did.
October 25, 2017
I feel like the biggest cheese ball in the world for admitting that I liked this book but I have zero shame. I couldn’t put the damn thing down. Between the cover, the writing, and the dialogue I was officially hooked.
“He’s water and I’m air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. We’re deadly, but we’re also life-giving. I’ll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me.”
Graham’s writing in Who Needs Air was eloquent and full of personality that flowed straight through me. The southern slang sold me too! It might be cheesy to some but these are expression that I hear on the daily living where I do. And I think that had the book not been so predictable, I would have rated it five stars.
It’s been a long time since I have really felt a yearning for two characters to be together and Cam and August were just what I needed. I wanted so much for them. I wanted everything for them. The angst and build up that the author created was strategically placed and well played out.
“He was my favorite song on repeat. I’d listen to it every day, loving the melody, dancing to the rhythmic beat. The months without him, the speakers screamed silence. I’d turn on the radio and hear that maddening buzzing of white noise. I wished, each night before I closed my eyes, that I could play it, just one more time.
It’s so refreshing to read a book that makes you giggle and swoon. I’m not opposed to another novel about the secondary characters either. And THAT never happens. Bravo, Cassie Graham! Bravo!
“He’s water and I’m air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. We’re deadly, but we’re also life-giving. I’ll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me.”
Graham’s writing in Who Needs Air was eloquent and full of personality that flowed straight through me. The southern slang sold me too! It might be cheesy to some but these are expression that I hear on the daily living where I do. And I think that had the book not been so predictable, I would have rated it five stars.
It’s been a long time since I have really felt a yearning for two characters to be together and Cam and August were just what I needed. I wanted so much for them. I wanted everything for them. The angst and build up that the author created was strategically placed and well played out.
“He was my favorite song on repeat. I’d listen to it every day, loving the melody, dancing to the rhythmic beat. The months without him, the speakers screamed silence. I’d turn on the radio and hear that maddening buzzing of white noise. I wished, each night before I closed my eyes, that I could play it, just one more time.
It’s so refreshing to read a book that makes you giggle and swoon. I’m not opposed to another novel about the secondary characters either. And THAT never happens. Bravo, Cassie Graham! Bravo!
April 28, 2017
I've been looking for more unique storylines in my reading lately, so I was really intrigued when I came across this synopsis featuring a young author finding stardom from a book he wrote about his teenage love and their possibility of being reunited years later. Although I haven't read Cassie Graham's writing before, my curiosity was definitely peaked, so I just had to snatch up this second chance romance. 'Who Needs Air' was such a refreshing read, and August and Cam's passionate journey was incredibly heartfelt and adorably wrapped up in a seriously sweet dose of Southern charm!
Graham's writing was beautiful, with a lot of personality and eloquence in her words that flowed smoothly and naturally. There was also a generous handful of sweet southern slang in the story, which I really enjoyed throughout. Each chapter title was a southern saying which was also really clever and cute. Although, I did feel the 'Sweet baby Jesus' might have been a bit overused, I was completely engaged in the story’s setting of southern cultures, ideals, and lifestyles.
August and Cam were very endearing characters and faced so many challenges during their relationship! I yearned for them to be together and felt their angst when they were apart, and I loved how they never wholly gave up on each other. Together they were whole, and it seemed to just be a given that they should be side by side all along.
I did have some contradicting feelings on whether August's character was genuine or not. His point of view is only presented in the prologue as he finished writing their story and opened his heart in telling Cam everything that she might not know about his feelings for her. It was incredibly sweet, and I totally ate that up. However, I didn't understand their lack of communication at times. They would go for days, weeks, months, even years, without any resolving situations, and it seemed strange to me that they shared such a love and friendship but didn’t talk through their challenges more. Although Cam was incredibly patient and had an enormous amount of respect for August, I was also surprised at her acceptance of his behavior at times. I know that he was always trying to do things the ‘right’ way, but I would have just liked a little more insight, possibly from August or perhaps from Cam's mother or Lily, rooting or reinforcing their relationship in some way. I felt like they just kind of went with the flow of his decisions, and I wanted at least one of them to be upset with their situation like I was!
I have one more mention that I’m going to put in here regarding the cover - only because it stuck with me the whole time I was reading this and taking pictures as well. While the artist did a beautiful job with the artwork, I wish I had a red 'Wooly Willy' pen to smooth out the woman’s face a bit as the flowers made her look hairy to me. I will just leave it at that.
None of my critique is meant to take away from this book in any way. There were so many elements to love and twists as well. All of the angst and build up throughout made it an incredibly passionate story, and I truly enjoyed the characters and their journey of hope and love. Although this is a standalone, I did see that there is a previous book written by Cassie Graham, 'Anyone But Him,' which is about Jennings Cohen (who played August's movie role in this book) and his girlfriend, Whitley Hayes. I really enjoyed their characters and friendship with August and Cam, so I will follow up with their story as well!
*** 4 Stars for Me! ***
*** ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ***
Read more of my reviews here: https://dgbookblog.com
Graham's writing was beautiful, with a lot of personality and eloquence in her words that flowed smoothly and naturally. There was also a generous handful of sweet southern slang in the story, which I really enjoyed throughout. Each chapter title was a southern saying which was also really clever and cute. Although, I did feel the 'Sweet baby Jesus' might have been a bit overused, I was completely engaged in the story’s setting of southern cultures, ideals, and lifestyles.
August and Cam were very endearing characters and faced so many challenges during their relationship! I yearned for them to be together and felt their angst when they were apart, and I loved how they never wholly gave up on each other. Together they were whole, and it seemed to just be a given that they should be side by side all along.
I did have some contradicting feelings on whether August's character was genuine or not. His point of view is only presented in the prologue as he finished writing their story and opened his heart in telling Cam everything that she might not know about his feelings for her. It was incredibly sweet, and I totally ate that up. However, I didn't understand their lack of communication at times. They would go for days, weeks, months, even years, without any resolving situations, and it seemed strange to me that they shared such a love and friendship but didn’t talk through their challenges more. Although Cam was incredibly patient and had an enormous amount of respect for August, I was also surprised at her acceptance of his behavior at times. I know that he was always trying to do things the ‘right’ way, but I would have just liked a little more insight, possibly from August or perhaps from Cam's mother or Lily, rooting or reinforcing their relationship in some way. I felt like they just kind of went with the flow of his decisions, and I wanted at least one of them to be upset with their situation like I was!
I have one more mention that I’m going to put in here regarding the cover - only because it stuck with me the whole time I was reading this and taking pictures as well. While the artist did a beautiful job with the artwork, I wish I had a red 'Wooly Willy' pen to smooth out the woman’s face a bit as the flowers made her look hairy to me. I will just leave it at that.
None of my critique is meant to take away from this book in any way. There were so many elements to love and twists as well. All of the angst and build up throughout made it an incredibly passionate story, and I truly enjoyed the characters and their journey of hope and love. Although this is a standalone, I did see that there is a previous book written by Cassie Graham, 'Anyone But Him,' which is about Jennings Cohen (who played August's movie role in this book) and his girlfriend, Whitley Hayes. I really enjoyed their characters and friendship with August and Cam, so I will follow up with their story as well!
*** 4 Stars for Me! ***
*** ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ***
Read more of my reviews here: https://dgbookblog.com
April 27, 2017
thank you, Cassie, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I begin with this book? A book about a book that is a love letter to the love of his life?! Please August, I'm your Belle. Come sweep me off of my feet handsome. This book had me swooning over and over again. The love story of August and Belle was not only beautiful, it was tragic and it felt real. It broke me. It literally shattered me to pieces but it healed me.
The way Cassie Graham wrote this love story was absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was living it. I felt the emotion. The angst! I felt it all! I'm so in love with the south and NYC so I loved that this book was set in both places. The description that Graham gave of these places felt as if I was walking through the town and city and taking it in.
My favorite part of this book was when they were filming. I loved it! I really did fall in love with this book. It's unlike anything I have ever read before. To read about a character writing a book about the love of his life and then having that book being made into a movie just gives all of the feels.
I loved every single character, even the ones I loved to hate *cough cough* Tomi and Andy. Cassie, this book was amazing! I can't rave about it enough! You did your thing with this girl. I took away a lot of things with this book. We all need air to live. But that love that we have for our special soul mate is the "air" that we breathe. The only air we will ever need. Without that, we can't breathe, live, function, and we lose ourselves. I recommend you all read this book when it comes out tomorrow. I give this book 5/5 stars!
Where do I begin with this book? A book about a book that is a love letter to the love of his life?! Please August, I'm your Belle. Come sweep me off of my feet handsome. This book had me swooning over and over again. The love story of August and Belle was not only beautiful, it was tragic and it felt real. It broke me. It literally shattered me to pieces but it healed me.
The way Cassie Graham wrote this love story was absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was living it. I felt the emotion. The angst! I felt it all! I'm so in love with the south and NYC so I loved that this book was set in both places. The description that Graham gave of these places felt as if I was walking through the town and city and taking it in.
My favorite part of this book was when they were filming. I loved it! I really did fall in love with this book. It's unlike anything I have ever read before. To read about a character writing a book about the love of his life and then having that book being made into a movie just gives all of the feels.
I loved every single character, even the ones I loved to hate *cough cough* Tomi and Andy. Cassie, this book was amazing! I can't rave about it enough! You did your thing with this girl. I took away a lot of things with this book. We all need air to live. But that love that we have for our special soul mate is the "air" that we breathe. The only air we will ever need. Without that, we can't breathe, live, function, and we lose ourselves. I recommend you all read this book when it comes out tomorrow. I give this book 5/5 stars!
April 27, 2017
"He's water and I'm air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. ... I'll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me."
I never wanted to finish this story, although I wanted to know how it all ended. This story was so well thought out, and exceptionally written. This is one of the books you read it as slowly as possible so that you are able to savor each written word.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book, the characters are so well developed that by the end they felt like old friends and we had grown up together. You will love with them, have your heart broken for them, rejoice, hate and just plain feel with them.
I love the idea of have my love story being such an epic story that it not only was a phenomenal selling book but also filmed for the big screen. I just adored everything about this story!
"I'd relive every bad day, every horrible plot twist and story-line change... if it meant I'd get my happily ever after right now."
I never wanted to finish this story, although I wanted to know how it all ended. This story was so well thought out, and exceptionally written. This is one of the books you read it as slowly as possible so that you are able to savor each written word.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book, the characters are so well developed that by the end they felt like old friends and we had grown up together. You will love with them, have your heart broken for them, rejoice, hate and just plain feel with them.
I love the idea of have my love story being such an epic story that it not only was a phenomenal selling book but also filmed for the big screen. I just adored everything about this story!
"I'd relive every bad day, every horrible plot twist and story-line change... if it meant I'd get my happily ever after right now."
April 27, 2017
I picked this book to review on a whim. I thought the cover was so pretty that I did not even read the synopsis. What I found in the pages was an absolute gem of a story. I love my angst, and Who Needs Air provided it to me plus more.
Cassie Graham has written a story of friendship and long lost love. I was hooked from page one and did not put the book down until I was finished. Yep, I devoured it in one sitting. August and Campbell's story was heartbreaking, heart stopping, heart wrenching, and heart melting. It literally tore me apart at times. I truly cried and I never cry. It is a superior book that can actually make me shed tears.
I am going to keep this short. Let's just say, Who Needs Air is a book worth your time. It will move you, shake you, and sometimes break you, yet you will fall completely in love with the characters and the author as she puts your heart back together, piece by piece.
Cassie Graham has written a story of friendship and long lost love. I was hooked from page one and did not put the book down until I was finished. Yep, I devoured it in one sitting. August and Campbell's story was heartbreaking, heart stopping, heart wrenching, and heart melting. It literally tore me apart at times. I truly cried and I never cry. It is a superior book that can actually make me shed tears.
I am going to keep this short. Let's just say, Who Needs Air is a book worth your time. It will move you, shake you, and sometimes break you, yet you will fall completely in love with the characters and the author as she puts your heart back together, piece by piece.
April 27, 2017
*breathes in a deep breath*
HOLY COW. Wow.
This book. ALL THE EFFING FEELS. ALL. OF THEM.
The prologue totally sucked me in and it never stopped. Every word was carefully crafted, all the emotions were clearly thought out, the drama was realistic for the situation.
I'm just sitting here completely speechless about this story. It really hit me hard and I'm honestly having the WORST time finding the right words for this review.
This story is beautiful. It's heart-wrenching. It's maddening (in the best way). It's angst, and doubt, and hope, and just every thing. The things that Campbell (Belle) and August experience are things you can see happening in real life.
So, please, by any means, acquire this wonderful book and read it. Now. Go. NOW.
HOLY COW. Wow.
This book. ALL THE EFFING FEELS. ALL. OF THEM.
The prologue totally sucked me in and it never stopped. Every word was carefully crafted, all the emotions were clearly thought out, the drama was realistic for the situation.
I'm just sitting here completely speechless about this story. It really hit me hard and I'm honestly having the WORST time finding the right words for this review.
This story is beautiful. It's heart-wrenching. It's maddening (in the best way). It's angst, and doubt, and hope, and just every thing. The things that Campbell (Belle) and August experience are things you can see happening in real life.
So, please, by any means, acquire this wonderful book and read it. Now. Go. NOW.
April 17, 2017
to say i loved his book would be an understatement. i loved the fact that the male lead in this story was an author and that we got not only his past but his present. August was seriously one of my fave males i've read this year. Cam was basically ME. her character was really a lot of women.
this was a wonderful book and i seriously suggest everyone get themselves a little August and Cam!
this was a wonderful book and i seriously suggest everyone get themselves a little August and Cam!
April 27, 2017
Heart-warming story!
This second chance story will definitely tug at all your heart strings. We get to witness how true love conquers all, that even if you've moved on, true love will prevail. I was overwhelmed by Campbell's demeanor over August's actions. That's love! Expect tears, heartaches and most of all, expect love!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
This second chance story will definitely tug at all your heart strings. We get to witness how true love conquers all, that even if you've moved on, true love will prevail. I was overwhelmed by Campbell's demeanor over August's actions. That's love! Expect tears, heartaches and most of all, expect love!
I was provided a copy for review purposes.
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January 20, 2020Such a lovely story. Beautiful writing, poetic prose... just absolutely wonderful. You don't want to miss out on this book!
April 30, 2017
✭ ✩ Releases April 28th! ✭ ✩
✩ GOODREADS EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT ✩
Bringing my body into his with a tug, he squeezes my shoulders. Only, this hug feels different. It doesn’t feel like all the other ones we’ve shared since he came back into town. I’m baffled at first, my arms locked around his torso. He doesn’t let me free and I think he may need this. I think he might need me. He sighs, his face falling into the crook of my neck and I finally understand why it’s so different. I don’t know why it took me so long, but my heart soars and my grip tightens. I force my eyelids closed and I breathe him in, using every ounce of my ability to give him back what he’s offering me so willingly.
He doesn’t have to say the words, but I hear them loud and clear. He’s been looking for someone to care about him in this town. Not someone to fawn over him or tell him what he wants. I’ve shown him that even without the book, he’s still important and this gesture – his foreign and surprising hug – is his way of telling me he appreciates it.
He clutches the back of my neck, his signature grasp, and breathes me in as I cling to his sweater, willing my eyes to stay closed. If I look at him or our reflection in the mirror above the headboard, I’m going to lose it.
Sighing contently, he pulls back and I do the same, opening my eyes.
“Night,” he offers with a smile, bringing his lips to my forehead for a split second before turning around and sufficiently closing me out, unzipping his bag.
I blink a few times, speechless as I watch him pull his sweater up and over his head, tossing it on the bed. His muscles strain and the dimples just above his pant line are so pronounced, my fingers ache to touch them. I turn away, reminding myself that we’re just friends. Friends only, Cam. Hands off. No touching his back dimples. It’s inappropriate and…oh, God, he’s unbuckling his pants.
Walking out of the door with embarrassed haste, I close it behind me.
My skin, tingling and hot, I trace my forehead with my fingertips. The prickle of his kiss still evident. Eager to erase the aftereffect of his touch, I scrub my head like a moron, accidentally creating a deep red spot. It doesn’t help. My skin scorches for long minutes.
After changing into pajamas, I climb into bed and wrap myself in the comforter. I need to sleep and forget the last three hours happened.
Just as I’m about to shut my eyes, my phone goes off with a text message.
August: Tonight was exactly what I needed.
Another one comes in.
August: You’re still so important to me. Please don’t ever forget that.
I chew on my lip and study the words until they become indecipherable. Turning on my side, I plug my phone into the charger and close my eyes.
I'm in so much trouble.
✩ GOODREADS EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT ✩
Bringing my body into his with a tug, he squeezes my shoulders. Only, this hug feels different. It doesn’t feel like all the other ones we’ve shared since he came back into town. I’m baffled at first, my arms locked around his torso. He doesn’t let me free and I think he may need this. I think he might need me. He sighs, his face falling into the crook of my neck and I finally understand why it’s so different. I don’t know why it took me so long, but my heart soars and my grip tightens. I force my eyelids closed and I breathe him in, using every ounce of my ability to give him back what he’s offering me so willingly.
He doesn’t have to say the words, but I hear them loud and clear. He’s been looking for someone to care about him in this town. Not someone to fawn over him or tell him what he wants. I’ve shown him that even without the book, he’s still important and this gesture – his foreign and surprising hug – is his way of telling me he appreciates it.
He clutches the back of my neck, his signature grasp, and breathes me in as I cling to his sweater, willing my eyes to stay closed. If I look at him or our reflection in the mirror above the headboard, I’m going to lose it.
Sighing contently, he pulls back and I do the same, opening my eyes.
“Night,” he offers with a smile, bringing his lips to my forehead for a split second before turning around and sufficiently closing me out, unzipping his bag.
I blink a few times, speechless as I watch him pull his sweater up and over his head, tossing it on the bed. His muscles strain and the dimples just above his pant line are so pronounced, my fingers ache to touch them. I turn away, reminding myself that we’re just friends. Friends only, Cam. Hands off. No touching his back dimples. It’s inappropriate and…oh, God, he’s unbuckling his pants.
Walking out of the door with embarrassed haste, I close it behind me.
My skin, tingling and hot, I trace my forehead with my fingertips. The prickle of his kiss still evident. Eager to erase the aftereffect of his touch, I scrub my head like a moron, accidentally creating a deep red spot. It doesn’t help. My skin scorches for long minutes.
After changing into pajamas, I climb into bed and wrap myself in the comforter. I need to sleep and forget the last three hours happened.
Just as I’m about to shut my eyes, my phone goes off with a text message.
August: Tonight was exactly what I needed.
Another one comes in.
August: You’re still so important to me. Please don’t ever forget that.
I chew on my lip and study the words until they become indecipherable. Turning on my side, I plug my phone into the charger and close my eyes.
I'm in so much trouble.
April 28, 2017
Who Needs Air made me need air! This book gutted me. This was my first read by Cassie Graham and I really enjoyed it. The writing was fluid and very strong. Cassie has a way with words and she was able to immediately suck me in with her writing. Her words flowed smoothly and the way she conveyed emotion was as if I was living the book. I felt it in my soul.
Who Needs Air is the story of August and Cam. Their story started years ago but was left unfinished. August wrote a best selling novel about their love story and now it's being made into a movie. Problem is, Cam and August haven't spoken in five years. Cam has moved on is living her life without August. She is working and dating and life is going great. That is until the movie comes to town to film and she know's the inevitable is bound to happen, she's going to run into August. There were times I loved Cam. I think everyone can connect with her because we've all had that one true first love that got away. The one that you will always think about but never admit it to anyone. Then there's August. Oh my swoon. August is the perfect human being until he isn't.
Here are the things I loved: the sassy southern sayings that Cassie wound into each chapter. Being a Southerner myself, I loved this. It was humorous and placed in all the perfect spots. I also loved that she incorporated sections of Somewhere Only We Know, the book that August wrote, into this story. It gave us insight into the world of Cam and August. "There's no such thing as borrowed time in a world where love is concerned. Sure, there could be obstacles, but life happens. Sometimes we have to suffer through misery to find what's real." I'm going to need Cassie to release Somewhere Only We Know. I would love to dive in and get the full story.
Now onto the bad. This book had SO much potential. It was five star read. Then it went off the deep end. A twist happens that was very obvious and you without a doubt know how it's going to play out. Then after all that build up, it just ends. The epilogue does little to give you closure. While technically, yes, you get closure but you're still left wanting more. If this was any other book I would be rating it a three but the writing really pushes this book into a four category. Cassie's writing is strong and stands out. It wasn't necessary to throw in drama for the sake of drama. I think a lot of readers would have been perfectly happy with little drama and just letting the writing speak for itself.
Will I read another Cassie Graham book? ABSOLUTELY. I fell in love with her words and the way she put them on paper. After I finished this book, I still had that angst pit in my stomach but with a smile on my face. Even as annoyed as I was at the twist, I still thought about this book long after I finished it. It was beautifully written and overall very well done.
Who Needs Air is the story of August and Cam. Their story started years ago but was left unfinished. August wrote a best selling novel about their love story and now it's being made into a movie. Problem is, Cam and August haven't spoken in five years. Cam has moved on is living her life without August. She is working and dating and life is going great. That is until the movie comes to town to film and she know's the inevitable is bound to happen, she's going to run into August. There were times I loved Cam. I think everyone can connect with her because we've all had that one true first love that got away. The one that you will always think about but never admit it to anyone. Then there's August. Oh my swoon. August is the perfect human being until he isn't.
Here are the things I loved: the sassy southern sayings that Cassie wound into each chapter. Being a Southerner myself, I loved this. It was humorous and placed in all the perfect spots. I also loved that she incorporated sections of Somewhere Only We Know, the book that August wrote, into this story. It gave us insight into the world of Cam and August. "There's no such thing as borrowed time in a world where love is concerned. Sure, there could be obstacles, but life happens. Sometimes we have to suffer through misery to find what's real." I'm going to need Cassie to release Somewhere Only We Know. I would love to dive in and get the full story.
Now onto the bad. This book had SO much potential. It was five star read. Then it went off the deep end. A twist happens that was very obvious and you without a doubt know how it's going to play out. Then after all that build up, it just ends. The epilogue does little to give you closure. While technically, yes, you get closure but you're still left wanting more. If this was any other book I would be rating it a three but the writing really pushes this book into a four category. Cassie's writing is strong and stands out. It wasn't necessary to throw in drama for the sake of drama. I think a lot of readers would have been perfectly happy with little drama and just letting the writing speak for itself.
Will I read another Cassie Graham book? ABSOLUTELY. I fell in love with her words and the way she put them on paper. After I finished this book, I still had that angst pit in my stomach but with a smile on my face. Even as annoyed as I was at the twist, I still thought about this book long after I finished it. It was beautifully written and overall very well done.
April 11, 2017
I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book and I’m going to have a very hard time expressing my love for it in just a few sentences! Here’s my best shot at it:
-The first thing that grabbed my attention were the chapter titles. They made me laugh out loud and wonder how in the world they would connect to the chapters.
-From the very beginning, this book was hard to put down. I ended up staying up WAY too late the night I started because my heart NEEDED to read Cam and August’s first meet up.
-When I read a romance, I typically focus in on the male lead. Don’t get me wrong, August is everything we all want our men to be...but I found myself connecting with Cam immediately. I related to her more than any female lead probably EVER. Cam has these insecurities based on what she’s been through in life and that alone makes her one of the most REAL characters I’ve read. We all want to be the chick in our romance novels...Cam is all of us! She is strong, and relatable, and flawed in all the right places and I found myself rooting for her throughout her story! The only other time I’ve connected so much was Lou Clark in Me Before You. They were both my friends and I wasn’t ready to let either of them go.
-As a southerner through and through...I despise southern novels. The speech tends to be so over the top and I just can’t get past it! This is the first novel I’ve read in which the southern colloquialisms didn’t make my skin crawl! Instead, they made me smile! Well done, Ms. Graham...I hereby deem you honorary southerner! Come have some sweet tea and fried green tomatoes anytime you please!
-The banter between Cam and August...and even their friends, gives my BUTTERFLIES butterflies.
-Cam’s relationship with her mother is so heartwarming. I talk to my own mom at least once a day and our conversations are so similar to what I read in this book.
-I don’t think I can adequately express this next one...but I’ll try! Cassie Graham is an artist. She is able to express emotion in her characters in such a powerful way. When August tells Cam how he’s feeling, he speaks like a writer...because he IS a writer. His words are his artform and he uses them well.
-This book needs to be read, so go read it. It’s an easy five stars, so go read it. It shows women that they need to trust themselves, so go read it. It is art, so go read it.
-The first thing that grabbed my attention were the chapter titles. They made me laugh out loud and wonder how in the world they would connect to the chapters.
-From the very beginning, this book was hard to put down. I ended up staying up WAY too late the night I started because my heart NEEDED to read Cam and August’s first meet up.
-When I read a romance, I typically focus in on the male lead. Don’t get me wrong, August is everything we all want our men to be...but I found myself connecting with Cam immediately. I related to her more than any female lead probably EVER. Cam has these insecurities based on what she’s been through in life and that alone makes her one of the most REAL characters I’ve read. We all want to be the chick in our romance novels...Cam is all of us! She is strong, and relatable, and flawed in all the right places and I found myself rooting for her throughout her story! The only other time I’ve connected so much was Lou Clark in Me Before You. They were both my friends and I wasn’t ready to let either of them go.
-As a southerner through and through...I despise southern novels. The speech tends to be so over the top and I just can’t get past it! This is the first novel I’ve read in which the southern colloquialisms didn’t make my skin crawl! Instead, they made me smile! Well done, Ms. Graham...I hereby deem you honorary southerner! Come have some sweet tea and fried green tomatoes anytime you please!
-The banter between Cam and August...and even their friends, gives my BUTTERFLIES butterflies.
-Cam’s relationship with her mother is so heartwarming. I talk to my own mom at least once a day and our conversations are so similar to what I read in this book.
-I don’t think I can adequately express this next one...but I’ll try! Cassie Graham is an artist. She is able to express emotion in her characters in such a powerful way. When August tells Cam how he’s feeling, he speaks like a writer...because he IS a writer. His words are his artform and he uses them well.
-This book needs to be read, so go read it. It’s an easy five stars, so go read it. It shows women that they need to trust themselves, so go read it. It is art, so go read it.
May 5, 2018
3.75 Stars
I picked a winner for my first Cassie Graham book. I know I only rated this story 3.75, but let me say it has absolutely NOTHING to do with her writing because the words in this book truly are beautiful.
"He sets me ablaze. Before I was a dull flicker, waiting to be lit, but his touch, it sparks a wildfire inside me, raging an inferno I can't extinguish."
Cassie's writing is often poetic in this story, and I truly do love when author's have such beautiful words. With that being said, let me explain my issue with this book.
This book opens with Cam being broken over her first love, August, leaving her without any explanation. August returns to his hometown after being away for five years and hitting the Bestseller List with his novel which is Cam and August's love story. He returns because the book is being turned into a movie and in such a small town, of course Cam and August cross paths again.
"He's water and I'm air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. We're deadly, but we're also life-giving. I'll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me."
For as heartbreaking as their young love was, I just felt it wasn't strong. It seemed so conflicting because they fell back together so easily and even fell apart easily. I just really wasn't convinced by their love and I should have been. I didn't connect to August or Cam very well. Whitley and Jennings had a more convincing love for each other. I just needed more. More saddness, more angst, more feels. I just felt Cam and August expected their relationship to fall into place based on circumstance instead of truly fighting for the love they had for one another. Although this book did fall a little short for me, I will most definitely be picking up more of her books.
Cassie Graham has a way with words. There were many times her words truly took my breath away.
I picked a winner for my first Cassie Graham book. I know I only rated this story 3.75, but let me say it has absolutely NOTHING to do with her writing because the words in this book truly are beautiful.
"He sets me ablaze. Before I was a dull flicker, waiting to be lit, but his touch, it sparks a wildfire inside me, raging an inferno I can't extinguish."
Cassie's writing is often poetic in this story, and I truly do love when author's have such beautiful words. With that being said, let me explain my issue with this book.
This book opens with Cam being broken over her first love, August, leaving her without any explanation. August returns to his hometown after being away for five years and hitting the Bestseller List with his novel which is Cam and August's love story. He returns because the book is being turned into a movie and in such a small town, of course Cam and August cross paths again.
"He's water and I'm air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. We're deadly, but we're also life-giving. I'll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me."
For as heartbreaking as their young love was, I just felt it wasn't strong. It seemed so conflicting because they fell back together so easily and even fell apart easily. I just really wasn't convinced by their love and I should have been. I didn't connect to August or Cam very well. Whitley and Jennings had a more convincing love for each other. I just needed more. More saddness, more angst, more feels. I just felt Cam and August expected their relationship to fall into place based on circumstance instead of truly fighting for the love they had for one another. Although this book did fall a little short for me, I will most definitely be picking up more of her books.
Cassie Graham has a way with words. There were many times her words truly took my breath away.
April 28, 2017
This is a very unique love story unlike any other. In this story you get to fall in love with Cam and August and learn about their love story, struggles, strengths and ultimately their bond that they share.
Cassie's writing captivated me and sucked me in from the very first chapter. The book itself goes back and forth between present day and the past ( as told in the form of the book that August wrote about them). I mean gosh come on, you are reading a romance book about a guy who wrote a romance book about his own love story, how can you not fall in love with August!
In this story, there are a few characters from Cassie's previous book ( who I already loved) and brand new characters who are written so strongly who are also flawed just like everyday people. You get to read about their own struggles, strengths and the chemistry and bond between August and Cam is wowza. I just loved all of the characters <3
I don't want to give away too much about the story, and I'm sure that you've already read the synopsis so I will leave you with a few of of my favorite quotes, and when I say a few I do mean only a couple of my top favs because boy did I highlight a crap ton when I was reading this book ( the words were just written so dang beautifully I couldn't help myself).
"Were attached by something deeper than love- by something far more important that trivial lust. Were connected by his words. The words he wrote for the entire world to read. We had love. We had lust, but his words were his promise. He'd always said by the end of his book I'd know how he truly felt about me."
"His fingers are the strokes of his pen and his words are the passion in our story."
"He's water and I'm air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. ... I'll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me."
Cassie's writing captivated me and sucked me in from the very first chapter. The book itself goes back and forth between present day and the past ( as told in the form of the book that August wrote about them). I mean gosh come on, you are reading a romance book about a guy who wrote a romance book about his own love story, how can you not fall in love with August!
In this story, there are a few characters from Cassie's previous book ( who I already loved) and brand new characters who are written so strongly who are also flawed just like everyday people. You get to read about their own struggles, strengths and the chemistry and bond between August and Cam is wowza. I just loved all of the characters <3
I don't want to give away too much about the story, and I'm sure that you've already read the synopsis so I will leave you with a few of of my favorite quotes, and when I say a few I do mean only a couple of my top favs because boy did I highlight a crap ton when I was reading this book ( the words were just written so dang beautifully I couldn't help myself).
"Were attached by something deeper than love- by something far more important that trivial lust. Were connected by his words. The words he wrote for the entire world to read. We had love. We had lust, but his words were his promise. He'd always said by the end of his book I'd know how he truly felt about me."
"His fingers are the strokes of his pen and his words are the passion in our story."
"He's water and I'm air. So different, yet neither of us can live without the other. ... I'll drown in him if I allow myself and he might not survive without me."
April 11, 2017
Who Needs Air? Cassie’s readers do because they will be holding their breath from the first word until the last. Cassie Graham gets better and better with every book she writes. I didn’t know what to expect when I began reading this story but she grabbed my attention the moment I opened it up to the first page.
August and Campbell were so much fun to read. I found myself connecting with them and appreciating the journey of their love story through every heart break and every celebratory moment. Cassie took me on a roller coaster ride that had me grinding my teeth and gripping my chair to see what will happen next. I loved reading August and Cambell’s story and wished they were real so I could have dinner with them. August was an author who wrote a best seller about their love story and was later made into a movie. In some parts, I felt I was reading a story within a story by getting a glimpse at the movie being made. And, speaking of the actors playing in the movie…
Cassie gives her readers a big surprise by inviting a few of her other characters from her previous books to join August and Campbell’s story. The special guests play an imperative role in August and Campbell’s lives as they struggle through the up’s and down’s of their relationship. I, for one, was grateful for the nice surprise and loved having them back in a well told story. I’m hoping it won’t be the last time I read about these characters and give props to the author for bringing them all together in this amazing story. It is a best-selling book for sure but don’t take my word for it. Get it and read for yourself. You won’t regret it! Cassie deserves a standing ovation for Who Needs Air.
August and Campbell were so much fun to read. I found myself connecting with them and appreciating the journey of their love story through every heart break and every celebratory moment. Cassie took me on a roller coaster ride that had me grinding my teeth and gripping my chair to see what will happen next. I loved reading August and Cambell’s story and wished they were real so I could have dinner with them. August was an author who wrote a best seller about their love story and was later made into a movie. In some parts, I felt I was reading a story within a story by getting a glimpse at the movie being made. And, speaking of the actors playing in the movie…
Cassie gives her readers a big surprise by inviting a few of her other characters from her previous books to join August and Campbell’s story. The special guests play an imperative role in August and Campbell’s lives as they struggle through the up’s and down’s of their relationship. I, for one, was grateful for the nice surprise and loved having them back in a well told story. I’m hoping it won’t be the last time I read about these characters and give props to the author for bringing them all together in this amazing story. It is a best-selling book for sure but don’t take my word for it. Get it and read for yourself. You won’t regret it! Cassie deserves a standing ovation for Who Needs Air.
April 17, 2017
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommend: yes
Standalone
Release date: April 28, 2017
Triggers: none
Read time: 2 days
I honestly would have given it a 5 out of 5 if it wasn't a little predictable. And Cassie Graham literally ended the book with "And they lived happily ever after." Maybe not literally, but those words were placed in there in some capacity. I cringed. I hate that. Someone else may love it. But not this book nerd. That is a little harsh, forgive me, but yeah. I also felt that it ended a little fast. Yes, it was a bit of a read, but I felt like the ending was a little rushed.
Let me back up. I'm being critical. This was a lovely love story. It had passion and steamy sex scenes. I did enjoy reading it. I did have "just one more chapter" moments, but it was very predictable. But that is okay. The story was beautifully written and it did the job. And she added a nice nod to one of my favorite writers (Colleen Hoover) in the book. So, that was pretty neat.
Campbell and August are the epitome of boy meets girl, girl loses boy, girl gets cute boy back. It was definitely a page turner full of drama and steamy love. I say read it and formulate your own opinion.
Quotes that I highlighted:
"Sometimes we have to suffer through misery to find what's real."
"Darkness can mewl out hushed cries of resentment or can shine a limelight on reality"
"Is that a Colleen Hoover book?"
"It's the Hoover Effect."
Who Needs Air is available to purchase on April 28th
Send any book review request or suggestions to dotsdeets@gmail.com
Recommend: yes
Standalone
Release date: April 28, 2017
Triggers: none
Read time: 2 days
I honestly would have given it a 5 out of 5 if it wasn't a little predictable. And Cassie Graham literally ended the book with "And they lived happily ever after." Maybe not literally, but those words were placed in there in some capacity. I cringed. I hate that. Someone else may love it. But not this book nerd. That is a little harsh, forgive me, but yeah. I also felt that it ended a little fast. Yes, it was a bit of a read, but I felt like the ending was a little rushed.
Let me back up. I'm being critical. This was a lovely love story. It had passion and steamy sex scenes. I did enjoy reading it. I did have "just one more chapter" moments, but it was very predictable. But that is okay. The story was beautifully written and it did the job. And she added a nice nod to one of my favorite writers (Colleen Hoover) in the book. So, that was pretty neat.
Campbell and August are the epitome of boy meets girl, girl loses boy, girl gets cute boy back. It was definitely a page turner full of drama and steamy love. I say read it and formulate your own opinion.
Quotes that I highlighted:
"Sometimes we have to suffer through misery to find what's real."
"Darkness can mewl out hushed cries of resentment or can shine a limelight on reality"
"Is that a Colleen Hoover book?"
"It's the Hoover Effect."
Who Needs Air is available to purchase on April 28th
Send any book review request or suggestions to dotsdeets@gmail.com
April 16, 2017
Who Needs Air by Cassie Graham is a full-length stand-alone romance novel.
Meet August Wyatt, a successful author and Campbell - Cam - Potter.
Both have a common past. They had a great love, but he left her and wrote a bokk about their lovestory. A book that became a bestseller.
Fast forward and 5 years later. Cam loves her life, she works at a museum and has a boyfriend but she can´t let go of her love to August.
And now he´s back. What does that mean for Cam and their relationship?
I loved reading about Cam and August. I loved the words and I loved the characters.
I wasw hooked from page one. This was one of my favorite reads so far, till I read to 75% of the book. Then my jaw hit the flor and I wanted to throw my kindle.
Who Needs Air is a beautiful,great and tragic lovestory with unepected twists and turns.I loved Cam´s sidekick. And above all I loved the story of soulmates and Cassie Graham´s writing.
5 Stars and Thank you Cassie Graham!
Meet August Wyatt, a successful author and Campbell - Cam - Potter.
Both have a common past. They had a great love, but he left her and wrote a bokk about their lovestory. A book that became a bestseller.
Fast forward and 5 years later. Cam loves her life, she works at a museum and has a boyfriend but she can´t let go of her love to August.
And now he´s back. What does that mean for Cam and their relationship?
I loved reading about Cam and August. I loved the words and I loved the characters.
I wasw hooked from page one. This was one of my favorite reads so far, till I read to 75% of the book. Then my jaw hit the flor and I wanted to throw my kindle.
Who Needs Air is a beautiful,great and tragic lovestory with unepected twists and turns.I loved Cam´s sidekick. And above all I loved the story of soulmates and Cassie Graham´s writing.
5 Stars and Thank you Cassie Graham!
April 29, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of 2 Girls Who Loves Books Blog
I have no idea how to put the words together about how much I loved this book. Every once in awhile you come across a book that you don't want to end. One that you take days to read because you want to remember every word you have read. This was that book for me..I can't express how much I loved Cam and August. I connected with Cam more than August. I have felt her heart ache a few times in my life. She was such a stronger written character. My heart broke for her. They have known each other since they attended school togethor when they were kids. He left to pursue his career as a writer. August knew it was the biggest mistake he has ever made. Cam knew she would never love another as much as she did him. Together they are beautiful. Apart they are disasters in the making.
I absolutely loved this book. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
Brilliant writing from a fantastic and very talented author.
💚💚💚
I have no idea how to put the words together about how much I loved this book. Every once in awhile you come across a book that you don't want to end. One that you take days to read because you want to remember every word you have read. This was that book for me..I can't express how much I loved Cam and August. I connected with Cam more than August. I have felt her heart ache a few times in my life. She was such a stronger written character. My heart broke for her. They have known each other since they attended school togethor when they were kids. He left to pursue his career as a writer. August knew it was the biggest mistake he has ever made. Cam knew she would never love another as much as she did him. Together they are beautiful. Apart they are disasters in the making.
I absolutely loved this book. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
Brilliant writing from a fantastic and very talented author.
💚💚💚
October 14, 2020
Oh dear god... this book! Where do I start?!
There were a lot of things going on that just didn't work for me in this book. I just couldn't connect with both main characters. And I absolutely hated how this story played out!
August is no book boyfriend at all! He was extremely selfish! The way he treated Belle was unbelievable! He drops her like yesterday trash and just strings her along. And Belle just goes back to him like nothing. She will just follow him no matter what he does!
Yeah... I like my main female leads to have a backbone. Belle did not have one.
The whole Tomi thing... ughhh was horrible!
I could go on and on about this book. But I think you get it.
This book wasn't for me.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
There were a lot of things going on that just didn't work for me in this book. I just couldn't connect with both main characters. And I absolutely hated how this story played out!
August is no book boyfriend at all! He was extremely selfish! The way he treated Belle was unbelievable! He drops her like yesterday trash and just strings her along. And Belle just goes back to him like nothing. She will just follow him no matter what he does!
Yeah... I like my main female leads to have a backbone. Belle did not have one.
The whole Tomi thing... ughhh was horrible!
I could go on and on about this book. But I think you get it.
This book wasn't for me.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
January 27, 2024
3.5 stars
The writing was poetic, almost too much at times. The name dropping of CoHo was eyeroll worthy. Now I know who this author’s idol is. It was good but o didn’t really feel all the angst. It was there but not deep.
Two issues
1) originally he just leaves without saying goodbye and giving her one more chance to come with…then he GHOSTS her.
2) agrees to marry the ow before having baby tested, literally at the altar when her water breaks. IRL…he’d of waited until baby arrived for DNA. Just sayin
Would recommend.
The writing was poetic, almost too much at times. The name dropping of CoHo was eyeroll worthy. Now I know who this author’s idol is. It was good but o didn’t really feel all the angst. It was there but not deep.
Two issues
1) originally he just leaves without saying goodbye and giving her one more chance to come with…then he GHOSTS her.
2) agrees to marry the ow before having baby tested, literally at the altar when her water breaks. IRL…he’d of waited until baby arrived for DNA. Just sayin
Would recommend.
April 23, 2017
This book broke me, then put me back together. Cam and August's story is so true that it could happen to anybody. They met at 12 and 13, became the IT couple in high school, and broke up when he left for New York with a publishing deal. It's been 5 years since he left. But now he's back in his hometown in Georgia, turning his book into a movie. What happens when they meet up again all these years later? Find out in this awesome read!!!
April 25, 2017
ARC given to Love Notes For Authors blog for honest review
Now that I finished this I don't need air I need August.
Cassie pulls you in and clutches onto your heart. Then she blindsides you by shattering it before taping it back together.
Words can not even describe how much I enjoyed this novel. I even loved the camo she did of 2 characters from previous books. Made it come so much more to life.
Now that I finished this I don't need air I need August.
Cassie pulls you in and clutches onto your heart. Then she blindsides you by shattering it before taping it back together.
Words can not even describe how much I enjoyed this novel. I even loved the camo she did of 2 characters from previous books. Made it come so much more to life.
April 17, 2017
Where do I begin... I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved Who Needs Air. Cam is a very relatable character, she's been hurt in the past and when the past comes back she has to decide if things are worth repeating. August is everything you could want in a man but can he overcome the obstacles life throws into the mix and get his happy ending?
April 25, 2017
Cam (Belle) and August are reconnected after years of separation. Even with being apart their connection is so strong it was like they were never part. They definitely have many obstacles they need to get over. This story will make you go through a roller coaster of emotions. A great read and highly recommend it.
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