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Shattered Souls Trilogy #1
Barely Breathing
Follow our story if you dare, but be warned... neither of our lives have been fairy tale perfect, leaving us with Shattered Souls. This is our Kaotic Beginning...
Take a
Deep Breath
You can and will get through this.
Rock Bottom.
Is where I find myself, yet again.
I remember all the times I've stood alone, begging for help, praying for an answer, no longer knowing who I'd become and barely being able to breathe.
I. Will. Not. Let. Those. Memories. Stop. Me.
Knock me down, break my soul, and cause me pain, but I have always found the strength to pick myself up and stand tall again.
People assume I'm too fragile and incapable of functioning.
But surviving is part of my daily routine.
I, Ruby Bennett will start over as many times as it takes.
My past will not overpower my present.
It's said the third time's a charm.
Warning: This is not your typical 'romance' trope novel as it portrays realistic dark moments, graphic scenes, and deals with sensitive subject matter.
***Cliffhanger - this is a Trilogy
Take a
Deep Breath
You can and will get through this.
Rock Bottom.
Is where I find myself, yet again.
I remember all the times I've stood alone, begging for help, praying for an answer, no longer knowing who I'd become and barely being able to breathe.
I. Will. Not. Let. Those. Memories. Stop. Me.
Knock me down, break my soul, and cause me pain, but I have always found the strength to pick myself up and stand tall again.
People assume I'm too fragile and incapable of functioning.
But surviving is part of my daily routine.
I, Ruby Bennett will start over as many times as it takes.
My past will not overpower my present.
It's said the third time's a charm.
Warning: This is not your typical 'romance' trope novel as it portrays realistic dark moments, graphic scenes, and deals with sensitive subject matter.
***Cliffhanger - this is a Trilogy
409 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2017
33 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Katerina Bray
2 books31 followersWhen I’m not at my full-time job, I will often be found at my laptop, writing. For that, I thank my loving grandmother. Her strength was my inspiration.
My husband and I had experienced a devastating loss after endlessly trying so hard to have our own family. Shortly after, we learned our journey would be a long one, and we are still hoping for our miracle.
Writing became an outlet, allowing me to express my feelings, and turn around a difficult situation. My loving husband reminded me daily of everything we share—our love, our health, and most of all—each other.
During this time, I was inspired to write this tale about Ruby Bennett, a woman who holds on strong even during her own times of adversity. I hope that others who read this story will be reminded that no matter what they are going through, it too shall pass, and that it will give them strength to endure. As many of my favorite authors did for me, perhaps I can provide that small escape from their troubles.
My husband and I had experienced a devastating loss after endlessly trying so hard to have our own family. Shortly after, we learned our journey would be a long one, and we are still hoping for our miracle.
Writing became an outlet, allowing me to express my feelings, and turn around a difficult situation. My loving husband reminded me daily of everything we share—our love, our health, and most of all—each other.
During this time, I was inspired to write this tale about Ruby Bennett, a woman who holds on strong even during her own times of adversity. I hope that others who read this story will be reminded that no matter what they are going through, it too shall pass, and that it will give them strength to endure. As many of my favorite authors did for me, perhaps I can provide that small escape from their troubles.
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August 27, 2017
This was such a great book! I loved everything in this book! If I could give this a million stars I would and I had a certain feeling about a certain character in the end! I need to know what will happen next and I hope in book 2 I learn more about Maeson! I loved that he was Scottish and had an accent!! I have a new book boyfriend!Also can I commend the author for writing a main character who isn't a skinny woman like many main chcaractersbin books are!!
June 8, 2017
Let me start off by saying the protagonists' love interest is HOTTTT!
Now that I got that out of the way... I admit when I first started the novel I was a bit put off by all the cussing, not that I didn't enjoy I, it's just I'm not used to reading so much strong language in one book. I understand it was vital to the story in order to show character personality and again, it didn't bother me, just got some getting used to. ☺
Maeson and Ruby had some dark pasts and I enjoyed seeing Ruby able to trust again.
However, I do wish I got to see more of Maeson's past trauma, though I expect to see that in the next book.
One thing I didn't enjoy reading was the repetitive crutch alcohol and cigarettes played for the characters when they were stressed. I just don't like to see that, I would have rather seen them work through their troubles without the constant aid of drugs but that's just me.
That being said, all around I really enjoyed this book! It especially good for a debut novel!
And I must say Molly is SO entertaining to read about! Whenever she's in a scene I just love it!!😄
Now that I got that out of the way... I admit when I first started the novel I was a bit put off by all the cussing, not that I didn't enjoy I, it's just I'm not used to reading so much strong language in one book. I understand it was vital to the story in order to show character personality and again, it didn't bother me, just got some getting used to. ☺
Maeson and Ruby had some dark pasts and I enjoyed seeing Ruby able to trust again.
However, I do wish I got to see more of Maeson's past trauma, though I expect to see that in the next book.
One thing I didn't enjoy reading was the repetitive crutch alcohol and cigarettes played for the characters when they were stressed. I just don't like to see that, I would have rather seen them work through their troubles without the constant aid of drugs but that's just me.
That being said, all around I really enjoyed this book! It especially good for a debut novel!
And I must say Molly is SO entertaining to read about! Whenever she's in a scene I just love it!!😄
May 3, 2017
*I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Is that okay to come out of the gate with? Oh well, I am anyway.
This debut romance by author Katerina Bray, really sets the tone for a great reader and author relationship. the characters are rich, and the story keeps you wanting more. This first installment in the series is full of emotion and made me fall in love with these imperfect mc's from the get go.
Our two narrators, Ruby and Maeson, both come from their own difficult backgrounds. They are thrown together after Ruby runs away from her current demons. Trying to regain control of her life after an abusive relationship, and the underlying anxiety that plagues her everyday life. She moves from New York to Dallas to escape her former life and to start anew. When she meets Maeson, her new landlord.
The story follows their ups and downs. You meet great secondary characters that have the potential to be main characters in the future installments of the series. My favorite being Molly. Maeson's assistant and Ruby's new found friend.
The story is paced well. The conflict and coming together of the two main characters comes at appropriate moments. There was always enough going on to propel the story forward. I also loved seeing the character development for our two mc's. Ruby's strength and confidence she finds in herself was my favorite part. Well, besides the obvious romance reasons to love this book.
I always love a romance novel that touches on harder content. It draws you in to the story, and delivers a great message.
I would definitely recommend this book to all my fellow romance readers. I may have found one of my new must buy authors.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Is that okay to come out of the gate with? Oh well, I am anyway.
This debut romance by author Katerina Bray, really sets the tone for a great reader and author relationship. the characters are rich, and the story keeps you wanting more. This first installment in the series is full of emotion and made me fall in love with these imperfect mc's from the get go.
Our two narrators, Ruby and Maeson, both come from their own difficult backgrounds. They are thrown together after Ruby runs away from her current demons. Trying to regain control of her life after an abusive relationship, and the underlying anxiety that plagues her everyday life. She moves from New York to Dallas to escape her former life and to start anew. When she meets Maeson, her new landlord.
The story follows their ups and downs. You meet great secondary characters that have the potential to be main characters in the future installments of the series. My favorite being Molly. Maeson's assistant and Ruby's new found friend.
The story is paced well. The conflict and coming together of the two main characters comes at appropriate moments. There was always enough going on to propel the story forward. I also loved seeing the character development for our two mc's. Ruby's strength and confidence she finds in herself was my favorite part. Well, besides the obvious romance reasons to love this book.
I always love a romance novel that touches on harder content. It draws you in to the story, and delivers a great message.
I would definitely recommend this book to all my fellow romance readers. I may have found one of my new must buy authors.
dnf
May 25, 2017H isn't celibate after meeting h. He actually fantasized about the h while having sex with ow.
May 25, 2019
I chose to read and review this book. I enjoyed reading this one. it was captivating and well written I like how things changed from one point to the other in their minds feelings interactions and relationship very emotion packed I liked it
May 3, 2017
arc received for an honest opinion
stars: **4** heavy panting! claustrophobic breathing and andrenaline pumping!
genre: adult romance, dark, ptsd, triggers
review:
A hands down to the author for this amazing book through which I dealt immense and incessant amount of pain suffering and the ability to pave a feasible way out of one's own set of miseries.
The story involves around Ruby Bennet, who is broken and her courage has been tampered way low through the walks of her life.
She has found her rock bottom thrice in her life and this time she might not make it out complete or maybe she has finally found the modicum of her refuge. It is unclear and unsure as of now, because her story has just begun.
Also, Maeson, who is a hotty business man with green dark eyes and looks James Momoa with dimples and even more scalding and palpitating accent he keeps hiding. There is more to his story and his own baggage than he lets on. The novel although focuses more on Ruby's past and present, we are provided with tidbits hints of what wrong could have gone down with him the past decade where he himself refused to commemorate an emotional relationship.
Both of our leads are scarred, damaged goods, broken beyond repair. Yet, the universe of Katerina Bray shimmied the wand of her words to let them meet at last.
There were certain boundaries I did find in this book like in the starting the past of Ruby's was quite deceiving in forming a perception about the story to be told and read ahead. As in, the novel started with a highlighted dark phase which made me think that maybe it revolved around that particular expanse only. It was indeed a wrong surmise and I caught her having a braver story in the Pandora chest for her than I had thought.
Also, I found that maybe the story revolved around ruby too much and in the end it rushed to do a substitute build up for the characters surround her. Maybe it was the intention of the author to keep Ruby as a main focus but as a reader I am left thinking and wondering about the last line of the book.
Is something going to haunt them all? Are they going to stick together or not? what is really going to happen?
I don't the answers of so many questions fumbling inside my head and the end is a bit confusing but indeed it is a read worthy of your time and wheels to turn inside of your head in plethora of nothing to say and yet desiring to wait and tap the foot on the ground in a nervousness that wasn't there when I started the book.
Thanks to the Author, KATERINA BRAY for such a great effort regardless of whatever cons I found in it. I loved giving my time and hope to the Ruby and Meason.
Looking forward for their future 😘😘😘👍👍👍
stars: **4** heavy panting! claustrophobic breathing and andrenaline pumping!
genre: adult romance, dark, ptsd, triggers
review:
A hands down to the author for this amazing book through which I dealt immense and incessant amount of pain suffering and the ability to pave a feasible way out of one's own set of miseries.
The story involves around Ruby Bennet, who is broken and her courage has been tampered way low through the walks of her life.
She has found her rock bottom thrice in her life and this time she might not make it out complete or maybe she has finally found the modicum of her refuge. It is unclear and unsure as of now, because her story has just begun.
Also, Maeson, who is a hotty business man with green dark eyes and looks James Momoa with dimples and even more scalding and palpitating accent he keeps hiding. There is more to his story and his own baggage than he lets on. The novel although focuses more on Ruby's past and present, we are provided with tidbits hints of what wrong could have gone down with him the past decade where he himself refused to commemorate an emotional relationship.
Both of our leads are scarred, damaged goods, broken beyond repair. Yet, the universe of Katerina Bray shimmied the wand of her words to let them meet at last.
There were certain boundaries I did find in this book like in the starting the past of Ruby's was quite deceiving in forming a perception about the story to be told and read ahead. As in, the novel started with a highlighted dark phase which made me think that maybe it revolved around that particular expanse only. It was indeed a wrong surmise and I caught her having a braver story in the Pandora chest for her than I had thought.
Also, I found that maybe the story revolved around ruby too much and in the end it rushed to do a substitute build up for the characters surround her. Maybe it was the intention of the author to keep Ruby as a main focus but as a reader I am left thinking and wondering about the last line of the book.
Is something going to haunt them all? Are they going to stick together or not? what is really going to happen?
I don't the answers of so many questions fumbling inside my head and the end is a bit confusing but indeed it is a read worthy of your time and wheels to turn inside of your head in plethora of nothing to say and yet desiring to wait and tap the foot on the ground in a nervousness that wasn't there when I started the book.
Thanks to the Author, KATERINA BRAY for such a great effort regardless of whatever cons I found in it. I loved giving my time and hope to the Ruby and Meason.
Looking forward for their future 😘😘😘👍👍👍
June 4, 2017
I received a review copy of this novel. I found it to be an excellent read. An intensely emotional book! And very well written! It was hard to put it down!
Ruby is a young woman struggling to overcome her traumatic past and move forward with her life. I feel the characters are realistic and that the events are based on a possible real life situation.
Congratulations, Katerina, on a wonderful first novel! I look forward to the next book.
Ruby is a young woman struggling to overcome her traumatic past and move forward with her life. I feel the characters are realistic and that the events are based on a possible real life situation.
Congratulations, Katerina, on a wonderful first novel! I look forward to the next book.
May 10, 2017
I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Katerina Bray poured her heart and soul into this, her very first novel. Although she struggled with her prose at the beginning, she did a magnificent job with her characterization, throughout.
Katerina Bray poured her heart and soul into this, her very first novel. Although she struggled with her prose at the beginning, she did a magnificent job with her characterization, throughout.
July 17, 2017
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I sadly only made it 3% into this book. I just couldn’t push myself to read any further. The narrative felt contrived; it was trying too hard to be poetic and mysterious and didn’t come across as genuine. The opening sequence was slow with lots of explanation thrown in, and it felt like it took forever to get through. As a Texan, I was irritated by the stereotypical trope of the realtor with the thick Texan drawl (btw, most people in Texas don’t have that accent). For all the words used, nothing seemed to be happening of any importance to the story itself in the first chapter, and when I got to the second chapter with Maeson’s gratuitous swearing, I was just done.
Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t have the patience to sit through another chapter. I wasn’t drawn into the story. I wasn’t interested in where it was going or what was going to happen. I wasn’t sucked in by the characters. There may be someone out there that enjoys this book for more than I did, but it just wasn’t for me.
I sadly only made it 3% into this book. I just couldn’t push myself to read any further. The narrative felt contrived; it was trying too hard to be poetic and mysterious and didn’t come across as genuine. The opening sequence was slow with lots of explanation thrown in, and it felt like it took forever to get through. As a Texan, I was irritated by the stereotypical trope of the realtor with the thick Texan drawl (btw, most people in Texas don’t have that accent). For all the words used, nothing seemed to be happening of any importance to the story itself in the first chapter, and when I got to the second chapter with Maeson’s gratuitous swearing, I was just done.
Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t have the patience to sit through another chapter. I wasn’t drawn into the story. I wasn’t interested in where it was going or what was going to happen. I wasn’t sucked in by the characters. There may be someone out there that enjoys this book for more than I did, but it just wasn’t for me.
October 28, 2018
A wonderful story of healing and learning to trust again. At times it seemed to drag but was worth finishing. A great read.
July 11, 2017
Ok so for the first 50% of this story I was loving it! I thought it was 4 star material. The characters were realistic and I really cared about their wellbeing. I thought that the way that they were dealing with grief and pain was very real and heartbreaking. Im also very happy that they didn't act like getting into a relationship would deal with all their problems and it only put a bandaid on the issues for a short time. That being said I did not know this was a trilogy and I absolutely hate how the author left all the loose ends. You cannot just end a book like that. The ending was way overdramatic and dumb. We also didn't learn anything about the male lead character. I hate when their are multiple books to a contemporary series. So many things could have been left out of this book to make room for an ending that actually wrapped things up. The fact that this is a trilogy means that the next book is literally going to have nothing too it and the third will be what the audience actually wants. Im going to pass on that! thanks but no thanks.
Also as a side note this book contained one of my most hated things which is girl on girl hate and body shaming. The female lead was described as being a size 14 and she was body confident which was awesome and she didn't dwell on it, it was just a small thing about her. However her and her only girlfriend referred to all other girls in the story as "thin mints." They described them as too thin, stupid, vapid, whores, and not worth a guys time. They said that they were only fillers for a mans need to have sex until a "real women" came around. Give me a fucking break. Do us all favor and give us something better than that garbage.
Also as a side note this book contained one of my most hated things which is girl on girl hate and body shaming. The female lead was described as being a size 14 and she was body confident which was awesome and she didn't dwell on it, it was just a small thing about her. However her and her only girlfriend referred to all other girls in the story as "thin mints." They described them as too thin, stupid, vapid, whores, and not worth a guys time. They said that they were only fillers for a mans need to have sex until a "real women" came around. Give me a fucking break. Do us all favor and give us something better than that garbage.
May 18, 2017
When I was asked to review this book, the synopsis drew me in. I love characters that beat all odds and still survive. That they find their inner strength and have personal growth while still being their true self. And that along the way, they find a person that truly believes in them. Strong, confident and bada$$ characters. This book is mostly that. I feel the story line is a good one. It had very sad aspects but also a sense of new life. The banter between the main couple for the most part was fun. And a setting in a state that I have visited is also a bonus for me.
Some of the things I struggled with were the drug references. I fully understand people who suffer from anxiety need to take medication but I didn't like that it was to a huge extreme, and not responsibly. I also feel that the story line could have been a little faster, as I was losing interest and was getting annoyed with the slow burn. Even the strongest characters need to lean on their friends for support and not push people away constantly.
Things to note, this book has triggers that some will find confronting. It is also a trilogy that will end on a cliffhanger. Great work for a debut novel.
*I received a copy for an honest review.
**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
Some of the things I struggled with were the drug references. I fully understand people who suffer from anxiety need to take medication but I didn't like that it was to a huge extreme, and not responsibly. I also feel that the story line could have been a little faster, as I was losing interest and was getting annoyed with the slow burn. Even the strongest characters need to lean on their friends for support and not push people away constantly.
Things to note, this book has triggers that some will find confronting. It is also a trilogy that will end on a cliffhanger. Great work for a debut novel.
*I received a copy for an honest review.
**Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
December 11, 2018
I received a review copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is not your typical romance novel. It is an engrossing and poignant story of shattered souls finding their way back from devastating past circumstances ... and somehow finding each other in the process. The author created intriguing and loveable, albeit flawed, characters, that I fell instantly in love with and continued to root for throughout the story. The story flows well and the author divulges just enough secrets and revelations about each character along the way to keep the reader engaged. I had a hard time putting this book down. Please note that this book is the first in a series and is not really a standalone book. However, having said that, I can’t wait for the second book, which I will definitely be reading. I highly recommend this book.
March 31, 2020
I have read more than 70 % of this book and so far it is a Meh book from the start it is predicted and nothing new they had issues and don't want a relationship . The girl has a full body and that is great but Don't go and call all slim girls mint and whores . My biggest issue with this book is the writing style . It is good but in muture way . I was feeling like i was reading on Wattpad sorry not sorry . . All in all good book to pass time if you are bored but no so
memorable.
memorable.
September 18, 2018
This is such a great read. I can’t believe the stuff the lead character Ruby goes through in her past.
Ruby is a very feisty lady and since escaping that past she has a hard time adjusting.
Then bring on Maeson the hot brooding male with secrets of his own.
Things get steamy and well complicated. This is the first book in a series and I’m hoping not to wait too long for the next book.
Ruby is a very feisty lady and since escaping that past she has a hard time adjusting.
Then bring on Maeson the hot brooding male with secrets of his own.
Things get steamy and well complicated. This is the first book in a series and I’m hoping not to wait too long for the next book.
December 29, 2020
Very hot and sex. Well written and entertaining. Get your champage and settle in for a ride.
February 4, 2020
"What a Captivating, Gripping, Inspiring story. Katerina's Bray debut started with a very powerful, breathtaking series, that I personally insist everyone must read it."
When a debut book can hook my attention from the first page what more I can ask than to take me all the way till the end; while inside me I wished it never end... Barely Breathing starts with an inside turmoil of what something seems so natural for some people is so damn difficult for others to have. Happiness, Freedom, ...a Life! These are the values that are missing from our heroen while at the same time, what she owns are a broken heart, a lost soul and a dark past to carry with. There's a long story to tell and Barely Breathing provides the right amount of space to fill Ruby's beginning story combined with someone else's story as well. Someone who think that finally has found the reason to live but who is missing the best parts of what life could give.
Eventhough "Barely Breathing" is a romantic/erotic story in the core I have found, unknowlenged and appreciated the underneath meanings the author wanted to talk about. Were those lessons to show us how to live a happy life. No!! What the author realy wanted is to give the reader a good amount of self-questions of what kind of impact their own actions have to others. Of course, not everyone has a difficult daily life to live, or a terrible situation to carry like our heroen, but these are few of the reasons everyone must think first, and then be humble for what and who they have into their lives and then be self-conscious of what they do or say to others. It's a fine line that no one must to cross because of its bad results.
Ruby Bennett, is a woman whose life started as a miracle and turned into a long way nightmare. Losing both of her parents from cancer, the same year, in the age of ten, Ruby became a foster child and from that age and then not only lost her precious youth but what she deserved to have most, the feeling of love around her. For fifteen years after that terrible change her life was a down fall. Fifteen taught years that ended her to stay in a psychiatric clinic for two months. When finally she took the "free" pass out of there she decided to get free from her past too. Moving in an other state was the first best idea Ruby had. Using the funds her parents had save for her, she planned to create a future there, all alone for the first time in her twenty-five years. And oh boy! Her first night in Dallas was the prologue of how things were going to be with her new life there...
And then, there is Maeson. A man whose own dark days made him the haughty, arrogant bastard he is now. Being an owner of luxury condos provided him a rich life which stocked his bank accounts but didn't completed him fully. Drinking and screwing, drowning his never ending hurt to oblivion, destroying little by little all the pieces of his soul were on his daily schedule. I guarantee that you'll love him tho. When Ruby came in the picture, a fade light of hope fell over Maeson's heart. Would that light become brighter?
Through the story I understood that there was a huge deference of how both heroes handled their problematic lives. It was obvious that Ruby, who's past was taughter, was much more stronger, much more open and ready for the new challenges her life give her, than Maeson. However, both were arrogant and their explosive temper did nothing to smooth things out between them. Have to say that I appreciate the fact that the author gave, both Ruby and Maeson, a person to lean on. Molly, Mason's assistant, was the best anchor Ruby could have in her new life now. Maeson's too! Helping her to deal with her deamons and let them be was the first step to Ruby's freedom and these chapters my friends was one of the most emotional scenes I've ever read.
Barely Breathing is a story everyone who read will definitely enjoy it. It is a fast paced story which never left me hanging because of the often scene changes. I was fully consumed by both heroes' life stories and the turn both made after Ruby and Maeson met each other. There was a deep meaning inside the lines or the words the author used, that inspired me too. It is refreshing when even if you read a romantic story you have the chance to find inspiration and the motivation to make some new changes for your own life too. Barely Breathing is a regenerating, emotional and...erotic story and this first book of Shattered Souls series is promising you for more to come and I guarantee that for sure. Katerina Bray showed she is a talent writer and that she is skilled on writing beautiful stories, so I can't wait to read what is coming next.
Well, I hope I intrigued your imagination and made you grab the book yourselves and find out what's happening, because I won't tell you myself.
Until next time, enjoy your free time reading great books with the most unforgettable stories.
Vivi
When a debut book can hook my attention from the first page what more I can ask than to take me all the way till the end; while inside me I wished it never end... Barely Breathing starts with an inside turmoil of what something seems so natural for some people is so damn difficult for others to have. Happiness, Freedom, ...a Life! These are the values that are missing from our heroen while at the same time, what she owns are a broken heart, a lost soul and a dark past to carry with. There's a long story to tell and Barely Breathing provides the right amount of space to fill Ruby's beginning story combined with someone else's story as well. Someone who think that finally has found the reason to live but who is missing the best parts of what life could give.
Eventhough "Barely Breathing" is a romantic/erotic story in the core I have found, unknowlenged and appreciated the underneath meanings the author wanted to talk about. Were those lessons to show us how to live a happy life. No!! What the author realy wanted is to give the reader a good amount of self-questions of what kind of impact their own actions have to others. Of course, not everyone has a difficult daily life to live, or a terrible situation to carry like our heroen, but these are few of the reasons everyone must think first, and then be humble for what and who they have into their lives and then be self-conscious of what they do or say to others. It's a fine line that no one must to cross because of its bad results.
Ruby Bennett, is a woman whose life started as a miracle and turned into a long way nightmare. Losing both of her parents from cancer, the same year, in the age of ten, Ruby became a foster child and from that age and then not only lost her precious youth but what she deserved to have most, the feeling of love around her. For fifteen years after that terrible change her life was a down fall. Fifteen taught years that ended her to stay in a psychiatric clinic for two months. When finally she took the "free" pass out of there she decided to get free from her past too. Moving in an other state was the first best idea Ruby had. Using the funds her parents had save for her, she planned to create a future there, all alone for the first time in her twenty-five years. And oh boy! Her first night in Dallas was the prologue of how things were going to be with her new life there...
And then, there is Maeson. A man whose own dark days made him the haughty, arrogant bastard he is now. Being an owner of luxury condos provided him a rich life which stocked his bank accounts but didn't completed him fully. Drinking and screwing, drowning his never ending hurt to oblivion, destroying little by little all the pieces of his soul were on his daily schedule. I guarantee that you'll love him tho. When Ruby came in the picture, a fade light of hope fell over Maeson's heart. Would that light become brighter?
Through the story I understood that there was a huge deference of how both heroes handled their problematic lives. It was obvious that Ruby, who's past was taughter, was much more stronger, much more open and ready for the new challenges her life give her, than Maeson. However, both were arrogant and their explosive temper did nothing to smooth things out between them. Have to say that I appreciate the fact that the author gave, both Ruby and Maeson, a person to lean on. Molly, Mason's assistant, was the best anchor Ruby could have in her new life now. Maeson's too! Helping her to deal with her deamons and let them be was the first step to Ruby's freedom and these chapters my friends was one of the most emotional scenes I've ever read.
Barely Breathing is a story everyone who read will definitely enjoy it. It is a fast paced story which never left me hanging because of the often scene changes. I was fully consumed by both heroes' life stories and the turn both made after Ruby and Maeson met each other. There was a deep meaning inside the lines or the words the author used, that inspired me too. It is refreshing when even if you read a romantic story you have the chance to find inspiration and the motivation to make some new changes for your own life too. Barely Breathing is a regenerating, emotional and...erotic story and this first book of Shattered Souls series is promising you for more to come and I guarantee that for sure. Katerina Bray showed she is a talent writer and that she is skilled on writing beautiful stories, so I can't wait to read what is coming next.
Well, I hope I intrigued your imagination and made you grab the book yourselves and find out what's happening, because I won't tell you myself.
Until next time, enjoy your free time reading great books with the most unforgettable stories.
Vivi
July 26, 2020
Katerina Bray has a way of pulling you into the story. Her writing sucks you in in such a way that you feel like you are there, living it out with the characters. She is an amazing author and I highly recommend reading any of her books.
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