Breathe the Sky

by Michelle Hazen

Two strangers start out saving animals and end up rescuing each other in this heartwarming romance from the author of Unbreak Me.  Mari Tucker is a wildlife biologist who scoops bunnies and endangered tortoises out of harm’s way on construction sites. Still haunted by her past, she takes the most remote jobs in the Mojave Desert to avoid people and hide from her ex. It’s a simple, quiet life filled with sweet animals and solar-powered baking until she ends up assigned to Jack Wyatt’s crew.Construction foreman Jack Wyatt’s loud, foul-mouthed temper keeps even the most rugged of men on his crew in line. No mistake is overlooked, because out in the desert it could mean life or death. In his opinion, the job site is no place for sensitive biologists, especially one as shy as Mari. But instead of wilting from the heat and hard work, Mari wins over Jack and his crew one homemade brownie at a time.Jack and Mari find a comfortable rhythm, building a friendship that’s rare for both of them. After Jack’s rocky childhood, they have more in common than they’d imagined. But even the Mojave sun can’t chase away the shadows when the past is determined to track them down…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, Audiobook, Abuse, Enemies To Lovers

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2020

About the author

Michelle Hazen is a nomad with a writing problem.

Years ago, she and her husband ducked out of the 9 to 5 world and moved into a life as digital nomads. She found her voice with the support of the online fanfiction community, and once she started typing, she never looked back.

As a result, she's written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mohave Desert, a century-old Creole cottage in New Orleans, and a beach in Honduras. These days, she's writing all the romance and friendship scenes her heart can hold, while working as a freelance editor and writing coach with Sanctuary Editorial.

She's currently addicted to Shadow & Bone, rock climbing, and Tillamook cheese.

Michelle is the award-winning author of Breathe the Sky, Unbreak Me, So You Think You're a Match, and the Sex, Love, and Rock and Roll series. Find her at http://michellehazenbooks.com/ on Facebook or Instagram at @MichelleHazenAuthor, or follow her on Twitter @michellehazen.

Reviews

[Samantha]

DNF'd at 20%

tw: severe emotional and physical abuse from an ex; stalking; sexual harassment; severe animal abuse in past; death of a sibling

This is about a biologist running from her abusive ex-husband and a grumpy construction foreman with a traumatic past forming an unlikely romance when they work together on a site. I did like that they were older characters (young middle aged) and it seemed like they would have a sweet relationship. But while I don't think having this much trauma in a book is wrong, this is not the type of story I personally enjoy exploring. Both of their pasts are very brutal and it's brought up a lot, and that's just not the story for me.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quiet read where two completely different people fall in love in the desert.
It was a quick read but it definitely packed an emotional punch. Our main character Mari was in an abusive marriage and she is still struggling with it.
It was interesting how she was a biologist on a lineman job and how her relationship to Jack came to be.
A sweet, romantic read.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and engaging but several issues for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love the plot of this book. It’s totally unique and an interesting look into different types of lifestyle that’s very apropos for today.

The story is this book tells a story of two people who are working through trauma in their life but are willing to work through and take a chance.

The author writes a compelling story, rich with detail and emotion. Her character development is also richly detailed but that’s where I have issue with story.

I really enjoyed Mari and the way she stood up for her convictions and the way she dealt with her trauma. The healing process was nicely developed. Plus, she was the only one who understood Jack.

But then we get to Jack. I really wanted so much more for him. The way this read to me, he was mainly inarticulate, especially in uncomfortable situations. He seemed more like a boar of a man instead of the rough, gruff, tender person that he really was deep down.

I don’t want to give away the story, because I appreciate how the characters work together, for the most part, to build their connection. But he seemed very lacking in his ability to reach her tender feelings and develop her confidence. The romance factor was definitely lacking in many ways.

While I definitely enjoyed the story, I really wanted much more for Jack in terms of that tender connection instead of the fearful man he became in my eyes.

A first time read for me for this author, but I would certainly read her other novels as well. Breathe the Sky is beautifully written and well executed for a lovely escape. We get many complex emotions through this story, with highs and lows, funny wit, healing, and growth.

* copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/breathe-the-...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance that proves it’s never too late to find love. As always, Hazen’s characters are gorgeously developed and heartbreakingly tragic. The heat of the sun-baked desert is tangible as sweet Mari and gruff Jack find themselves and each other. Beautifully written from beginning to end!

[G.L. Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever wanted to read a book about a pair of people who seriously have to shove themselves aside—put their shyness and insecurities on the shelf—in order to be together, then this is the book for you. Breathe the Sky is the story of Mari, a wildlife biologist, and Jack, a desert construction foreman, both so wrapped up in their own pain and hurt that neither has left room for anyone else. But circumstances mash them together enough, and repeatedly so, until they can't help but open up to one another.

This is honestly one of the most beautifully written romance novels I've read. Its progression is like a time-lapse photograph of a flower opening up. Sometimes it moves painfully slowly, and other times it's painted in beautiful loud broad strokes. At the end you know you'll end up with a gorgeous phenomenon of nature. Being able to witness Mari going from deer-in-the-headlights fearful to competent and self-confident is beautiful, and it's every bit as fulfilling to see Jack finally overcome his long-held self-loathing and learn to love again.

Set against a Mojave desert backdrop, Breathe the Sky is both as desolate as the endless sand and as beautiful and filled with hope as that same desert's sunrise. I recommend this story for readers who are interested in older protagonists who've been through the wringer, but work hard for their happily ever after...and of course, for fans of author Michelle Hazen's other work.

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: BREATHE THE SKY
AUTHOR: Michelle Hazen
SERIES: Standalone
RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2020
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
THEMES & TROPES: Domestic abuse
RATING: 4 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No

READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG






Breathe The Sky sure is a kick in the feels. It's hard when one of the characters has an abusive past but when both of them were mistreated and abused it packs an extra punch.

Mari got out of her marriage two years ago and has been hiding from her ex-husband since. She is part of a group of biologists who make sure that no endangered animals are harmed at a construction site. This is where she meets Jack Wyatt, and if you think you've met grumpy men in books prepare for Jack. If you look up grump in the dictionary it's his pic you'll see. Goodness, this guy was growly, frowny, scowly. But he's also shy in a way and that shyness and his insecurities tugged on my heartstrings. His tendency to expect the worst was so sad. I wanted him to be happy but his prickly disposition made it a little harder for Mari to get close to him. But her patience with him, her kindness and how she was able to read him, let him trust her enough to open up to her.

He kept leaning against his doorframe after she was gone, and it wasn’t until his cheeks started to ache in an unfamiliar way that he realized he was smiling.

When Mari pushed Jack away a little I wasn't happy but the point was that there was a growing self-awareness, that Mari tried hard to overcome a pattern that was ingrained in her by her violent ex-husband and trust another man. That she eventually succeeded. Jack, too, got past his abusive childhood and teenage years and both of them felt empowered by the other one. I loved Marie's intuition, her ability to read Jack and Jack's adoration for her, all his bristling couldn't distract from his buttery soft core. I felt so much empathy and compassion for these two but also pride for every little step they made progress.

She understood this man. They were born-again virgins at dating, to be sure, but she wasn’t wrong about him. She was going to stop giving in to all those slippery little impulses to believe the worst.

This isn't an action-filled story, the quietness and slower pace of it is what's so compelling. Michelle Hazen draws a picture of two broken people, so broken that it really hurts to read about them, who break out of their conditioned responses and find happiness and healing with the unlikeliest person. This could have gone in a completely toxic direction but Mari and Jack were perfect and made each other whole again.

It was the stakes they’d faced, slashed across both their skins in marks that would never fade or smooth. And yet they’d both stared down that cost and stolen back their lives for themselves. She was fucking proud. Of him. Of herself.

[abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a lot of stuff that Emma Scott and Mariana Zapata has put out. It’s slice of life, a little angsty, slow burn, and quiet. The MC’s both had rough childhoods and early adulthoods, and are now both on their on and protecting themselves in their own ways. The heroine has been abused her entire life, both by her stepfather and her ex-husband. The hero also has went through abuse from his alcoholic father and brother.

The hero reminded me a lot of Mariana Zapata hero’s. He’s gruff and quiet and a little mean. He doesn’t know how to express himself without coming across as an asshole. But when he gets comfortable with the heroine, he is a completely sweet and kind guy.

So I enjoyed the characters. And I really thought about giving this one a 4. But the third act just lost me. I don’t know if it was because I’d listened to this one in a day and I was sick of it, or if it really was the third act. But the breakup, the cause of the breakup, and these characters being separated for long really made no logical sense for me. If these just gave each other a day or two to cool down, they could have had a normal conversation and gotten together like adults. And I think that’s what really made me give this a three.

I also don’t think these characters read like they were upper 30s-early 40s. They honestly read like 20 somethings. Which is fine, but they both didn’t really act their age. And that didn’t bother me, but I think it will bother a lot of other readers (especially ones who came looking for older MC’s).

This was a cute book, and I liked seeing the slow progression between the MC’s. Both of them working with animals was sweet. And the spice is also super hot and romantic. There’s not any dirty talk at all. It’s just sweet and you can tell these characters really love each other when you’re reading the smut.

But this just also wasn’t a new favorite. Still a sweet book, but I don’t think it’ll be very memorable.

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiet, contemplative, a soul-searching read…

I’ve only read a few titles by this author, but each one was stellar…

Mari was digging herself out of financial ruin, all the result of a relationship that ended very badly. She was hurting for money, for self-confidence and a place in the world she could feel safe and comfortable. Jack ran his work site with a lot of skill, much yelling and a reputation that preceded him… Underneath that blustery exterior, however, was a soul yearning for acceptance and understanding. As the last sacrificial biologist of the team, Mari had to take her turn working with him, and what they both received was incredible…

Their relationship was a slow sizzle, almost old-fashioned, as they meandered their way through work hiccups, personal obstacles and personalities that should have been polar opposites. Each step was awkward and almost shy, despite the maturity of them both. I smiled at the slow steps they took and reveled in the relationship that grew along the way. I loved Mari’s gentle competence, hew work dedication and her ability to read Jack and others in such insightful ways. Jack was anything but gentle with, as it turned out, everyone except her. Kindred spirits, they seemed to “get” each other and how they worked through their differences, sharing their pain, their dreams – and their fears, made for a courtship full of angst and high emotion.

Overcoming their own fears meant opening themselves to a love like no other and their triumphs just made me smile even more. Loved it! ~Diane, 4.5 stars

[Reads & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Updated review to include audiobook**

Wonderful from start to finish! From Michelle Hazen's raw, realistic, beautiful prose to Brittany Pressley's spot on narration, BREATHE THE SKY is a story not easily forgotten. Long after your headphones are tucked away, Jack and Mari will linger; their second chance at life and having the strength to grab ahold of happiness and hope will fill readers' hearts.

From the Mojave Desert setting to Hazen's sensitive handling of domestic abuse, BREATHE THE SKY draws readers in, the arid desert, gruff linemen, and dedicated biologists a surprisingly perfect backdrop for two people to see past their expectations and fall in love despite their traumatic pasts.

I soaked up the unlikely friendship between Jack and Mari as it moves towards something more intimate. The dynamics between the gruff Jack and sweet, brownie-making Mari are fantastic. Watching them overcome the their pasts and open their hearts to both friendship and love was inspiring.

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I absolutely LOVED Jack! I could have done without his partial sentences but that's just a pet peeve that I own. Mari was a such a lovable character and the strength that she grew into to had me rooting for her!

The author did such a fantastic job of developing these characters that I felt that I grew right along with them!

[Mary Ann Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this beautiful book. Jack and Mari are an unlikely pair. Jack's gruff and grumpy. Mari's kind and open-hearted. Both come from a similar background that has left them with wounds that would seem to make it even more difficult for these two to find one another, but as Mari teaches Jack how to take more care of the small animals in his construction zone, she also coaxed him into a gentle friendship with her, and he begins to want to shelter her as much as any of the baby turtles he's come to appreciate. This begins as a bit of a slow burn, but Jack and Mari aren't debutante teenagers, and when they decide to advance their relationship, they do so with an adult's pragmatism, not that their romance lacks anything in the way of sparks and surprises for all that. If anything, their intimacy is refreshingly honest and real.

I loved how the back story was handled adeptly, but even more, I loved that Mari and Jack, through the confidence they gain with each other, learn that they have the power to heal their own wounds.

Watch for this one!

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked this book at first, but in the end it really made me mad. I liked mari at first, but she pissed me off in the end with how she treated Jack. And then comparing him to her abusive ex, saying things like “well at least Brad put in the effort to track me down”…. Ma’am I know you didn’t just compare those two men and find your abusive ex the winner!!!! Especially when Jack did nothing wrong! And she literally told him to leave her alone, yet when he did that suddenly means he doesn’t care about her!!!! What?!?! To change her number, not tell Jack, and then expect him to track it down himself and get mad when he doesn’t, so he obviously doesn’t want her as bad as her abusive ex is WILD! This really rubbed me the wrong way and completely ruined the book for me. Yes she had a terrible abusive past, BUT SO DID HE!!

[Mary Gallucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does need a bit of a trigger warning, for discussions of domestic violence. While it’s never portrayed in real time on the page, Mari is still emotionally in a process of healing from very visceral fear that might resonate uncomfortably for someone. Personally, I found this issue and the discomfort surrounding it to be handled with really moving, poignant sensitivity. I’m blown away that such a heavy topic could be broached in the context of a theoretically-light read -- the balance is so skillfully accomplished it made my head spin. One minute I’d be moved to tears; the next I’d be snorting with laughter and getting looks.

...Because you can’t read this book indoors. Best setting I found was an empty ballpark in the evening for the sand, bunnies, and sunset.

My favorite thing about this book is the incredible respect given to two broken characters: past what may appear to be their odd behaviors and insecurities, you’re let all the way in to their selfless motivations and their aspirations for growth. -- And they DO grow, and it’s thrilling to witness. This book is gentle, sensitive, and patient; but all the more dynamic for the fact that the dynamism comes from within. The lead characters learn to trust each other, but moreover the compassion they have for each other enables them to self-reflect on their own intrinsic worth and instincts, and learn to trust themselves. Like pretty much all Hazen’s lead characters, they’re somehow *exceedingly* human: completely relatable and real, and also achingly beautiful, so you feel like you’re a better human for knowing them.

Have I mentioned yet that this book is gorgeous?! Several of the most fundamental topics -- trust, respect, safety, hope, second chances, beauty inclusive of flaws -- are handled through absolutely perfect wildlife metaphors layered enough and alluring enough to endure and develop over the course of the entire book. Hazen’s descriptions of the desert are stunning; you can hear Jack’s voice as he talks; you feel the sun-baked metal and smell the brownies.

I could talk about this book forever. I’m so honored I got to read it early, and I’ll definitely be reading it again. And again.

[Margaret (xoxoLibro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya'll the absolute cuteness, the shy, awkward, struggles of these two lovebirds....I could barely stand it!

Summary:
Gruff, secretly sweet man + reserved, intelligent woman / (working through past trauma) x (genuine respect) = the most adorably heartwarming love story I've read in ages.

Why I Loved Breathe The Sky:
I'd literally been tweeting about wanting to read something with a gruff, grumpy love interest who was secretly a huge softy, and Breathe The Sky delivered! Jack is the actual grumpiest and he seems to get grumpier, the more he's trying to cover up being a good person.

And our girl, Mari. This sweet, quietly strong woman who's been through hell and back. She sees right through Jack's facade, understanding him in a way that no one else does. It's almost like they speak the same language. <3

There's something really amazing about the way Hazen crafts her characters. It's so much more than beautiful people with a lot of chemistry. Her characters *feel* real. They have so much depth - fear and pain and hope and plans...and the way they fit together is MAGIC.

But you know what the very best part of Hazen's books are? That the women fix themselves.Their men support and love them, but it's the women who choose to face their trauma head-on and take their power back. It's so empowering!

Honorable Mentions:
- Desert sex with very large...um...cacti. *wink*
- A look into a fascinating career/lifestyle that is completely foreign to me -- working on desert build sites.
- Overcoming past domestic violence trauma to find love and happiness.**

**I do think it's important to note that said violence never takes place on the page. This is a story about battling (and overcoming) your demons, not living them.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda’s review:


Breathe the Sky is a book that touched my heart and one of the best books I’ve read this year. The story is about two individuals who don’t look like they would go together but end up being exactly what they each needed to smooth out their rough edges and heal their souls. Mari Tucker is a biologist who protects wildlife on construction sites. Jack Wyatt hates having to follow the rules the biologist tell him because it makes his job twice as hard to do. Jack’s gruff and grumpy managerial style scares Mari but she isn’t going to let him get away with anything on her shift. She slowly wins him over one brownie at a time and they build an understanding and the beginning of a friendship.

Both Mari and Jack are products of abuse and both have a hard time relating to other people. Their friendship is a test of sort to figure out how to stretch their small boundaries and reach out to the other and socialize. The story went at a good pace to develop these characters and see how they slowly learn to trust each other. You get to see beyond Jack’s rough exterior is a man with a soft heart and how Mari has real strength inside her quiet and timid demeanor. I love the development of their friendship builds to sexual tension and finally they realize its love for one another. It wasn’t always easy but once Mari and Jack found one another, they weren’t going to just let it go that easy. What touched my heart is when you read the part in the story where the title of the book comes from. That is powerful writing. This is my second story and she has become a favorite all due to her beautiful writing. Breathe the Sky is a heartfelt and uplifting story that resonated with me and I know it will for others.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

❐ Overall Rating 3½ | Narration 4½
❐ Narrated by Brittany Pressley
❐ Listening Length: 10H 14M
❐ Contemporary Romance
❐ Two damaged people finding love & solace
❐ Sexually explicit
❐ A Mojave Desert Setting

A slightly awkward but rather cute romance with a premise I’ve never before seen in a romance. Mari Tucker, the heroine, is a wildlife biologist who scoops lizards and endangered tortoises out of harm’s way on construction sites and Jack Wyatt is the foreman on the site she’s working at. No accidental squishings on her sites.

The lead up to them getting together was quite sweet, them overcoming their sordid difficult pasts to be together was great, but once they did, the story just became one sex scene after another...which left me losing interest, and by the time I got to what was supposed to be the climactic ending...I was left feeling underwhelmed. As for the narration, I really like Brittany Pressley but they should have had a different narrator for the male POV.

(cawpile score = 6.79)

[Sarah Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. Two broken people are in the process of learning how to heal themselves when they find each other. Emotional heart strings, romantic thoughtful touches, and a steamy tough guy hero that will leave you melting. Michelle has done it again! Love this book!

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the sweltering heat of the Mojave Desert, wildlife biologist, Mari, is assigned to the construction crew led by the notoriously rude, fiery tempered Jack Wyatt. With the protection of endangered animals her top priority, it was a wonderful clash of personalities as Jack initially views Mari as a nuisance.

Currently hiding from her abusive ex-husband, Mari is learning to open her heart again to another man, attempting to distinguish the signs of a repeat scenario. It was such a great story of discovering your strength and how difficult it can be to leave an abusive relationship.

As Mari experiences absolutely disgraceful comments from other crew members, her determination to stand tall was aspiring. I loved her. With Mari and Jack both from an equally heartbreaking past, each with their own insecurities, I loved seeing these two slowly discover true happiness and trust within each other. For such an emotional, intense story, it also had a wonderful mix of humour and heartfelt moments.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Adult
-Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
-A woman who just got out of an abusive marriage, having to change her identity on public spaces so that her ex husband doesn’t find her, has entered to a remote job as a biologist in a desert where the boss is sort of like… a dick
-it was a quite simple read, where 2 people that’s really complete opposites fall in love in… the desert
-Quite fast paced but it can get a bit emotional to whoever has faced any similar situation like the main characters
-Grumpy x Sunshine trope, I guess?
-I liked both main characters, surprisingly
-I think there were a few unnecessary chapters and some wtf problematics in the plot… why would I need 2 chapters of them having sex? (Might just be me tho LMAOOO)
-Even if it’s a very simple read, I still didn’t think it was a great thing
-it’s an acceptable romance, let’s say that it’s decent and cute ❤️
-“With you, anyplace feels like home to me.” 🌱
-Plot: 3/5
-Characters: 3/5
-There’s a few spicy scenes and chapters in the book, here’s how I’d rate them:🌶️🌶️/5

[Deborah Crossland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Hazen has done it again. This story is sexy, timely, personal, heart-wrenching, and fulfilling all at once. Plus the sex scenes...I'm surprised my Kindle didn't erupt into flames!

I will forever buy anything Ms. Hazen writes, and I will cheer, cry, root for, and scream from the first word on the page to the last. Just do yourself a favor and preorder this book now. And if you haven't read UNBREAK ME, do that now. NOW.

[Jen | jenreadsx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe The Sky is the story of Miri and Jack, both around their 40’s and running from their pasts, trying to rebuild and heal in their own ways. Jack is a linesman and Miri is a biologist assigned to his site in the Californian desert to protect the tortoises. I really loved this read, it was a laid back, easy read but full of emotion and depth

[Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe the Sky is a remarkable, thought provoking, and emotional read that captured my attention from the first page and kept me entertained until the very end. This author has a beautiful writing style as she skillfully weaves together story that is both original and engaging. The characters are interesting, unique, and likable.

Mari and Jack seem like opposites on the surface, but they both have heartbreaking backstories that have left open wounds. While they each have their own flaws and things to overcome, they both possess an inner strength which is admirable. Mari may be quiet, but she is also strong. I loved her as a heroine and the author did an excellent job portraying her character growth. Jack is surly, but he also has a soft side to him which I adored. Their relationship is more along the lines of a slow burn romance which I think worked very well for this book. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve.

Written with the Mojave Desert as a backdrop, I found myself fascinated with the natural beauty as well as all the intricate workings of construction work in an area with endangered species. These are things that I never really thought much about, but this author sparked my interest for sure! It is clear that this author has done her research.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this breathtaking novel. The storyline was solid and the book moved at a good pace. The author did a phenomenal job with character development throughout the book. This book is emotional at times, but it is also sweet and heartwarming.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher Berkley Publishing Group, and the author Michelle Hazen for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I read this entire book in one glorious day. My emotions were captured early on, and I needed to see how the story developed, and the characters healed and grew together.

Mari & Jack meet in the Mojave desert. Jack is the foreman of a construction company setting up power lines. Mari is a biologist, and her job is to protect the wildlife in the construction area (think modern-day Lorax). Jack is outspoken, and at first, cannot see what the fuss is about a few small turtles or birds. Both Jack & Mari find themselves drawn together. Their relationship starts slowly, and builds from friends into more.

When their pasts pulls them apart, both Jack & Mari must confront the people who harmed them in the past, and make difficult decisions to change the course of their future.

As a note of caution, this book deals with abuse. Both main characters have experience physical and emotional abuse. Jack grew up with a physical and emotional abusive father and brother. It was an interesting juxtaposition between Jack and his brother and their own reactions to growing up in an abusive environment. Mari also experienced abuse. First with her step-father, and then after marriage from her (now ex) husband.

This book has a beautiful cover, and contains a beautiful story within. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Erin Lindsay McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump (thanks COVID) and this was just the kind of book I needed. I loved Hazen’s novel Unbreak Me and so I pre-ordered this one, and it finally came yesterday. I decided to crack it open late last night, stayed up into the wee hours and pretty much read it every spare second today until I finished. I love the emotional depth that Hazen brings to her romances, that she doesn’t shy away from writing characters with difficult pasts (domestic abuse and child abuse in this novel), and that she writes with a more literary style. I was completely engrossed in the story and found it almost impossible to put down. My only complaint is there were some particulars of a plot thread I felt got dropped just a bit (the sparrow nest). Regardless—this is the kind of romance I love, the kind that feels like a complete meal to read, rather than a bag of candy that goes down fast and tastes great in the moment but leaves you feeling a little nauseous and unfulfilled when you finally quit and realize you’ve the whole thing in one sitting. This story is satisfying and leaves you wishing you could spend more time with Mari and Jack.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Michelle Hazen has once again touched upon a difficult subject with heart and soul. I really embraced Mari and Jack, two battered souls desperately in need of healing. If physical abuse is a trigger for you, this book is not for you. While I feel the subject was handled well, it may be too much for some people. I loved the growth of these two characters - individually and together - over the course of the story, and how they each found ways to help each other heal and find what's most important to them. Once I started, I didn't want to put the book down. There were scenes that made me laugh, and others had me reaching for a tissue. There were some poignant scenes and descriptions that really brought the story to life and had me feeling like I was there with Mari and Jack. Can't wait to see what Michelle comes up with next!!

[Alex Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really sweet love story with two characters with lots of baggage from their past.
I really enjoyed the book as a whole, however the climax was not the best part and the ending felt anticlimactic.
The way the author dealt with the hard topic of domestic violence was very respectful and the way the character healed from their trauma was inspiring.
I'll be reading more books of this author for sure.

TW: domestic violence, violence, manipulation

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazen puts the heart under a microscope to explore the treasures hidden inside. Breathe the Sky is as fragile as it is strong. Jack and Mari turn beautifully broken into an inspirational love song. Tissues are a must.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/b...

Breathe the Sky
By Michelle Hazen
ISBN13: 9781984803313
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Summary:

Mari Tucker is a wildlife biologist who scoops bunnies and endangered tortoises out of harm’s way on construction sites. Still haunted by her past, she takes the most remote jobs in the Mojave Desert to avoid people and hide from her ex. It’s a simple, quiet life filled with sweet animals and solar-powered baking until she ends up assigned to Jack Wyatt’s crew.

Construction foreman Jack Wyatt’s loud, foul-mouthed temper keeps even the most rugged of men on his crew in line. No mistake is overlooked, because out in the desert it could mean life or death. In his opinion, the job site is no place for sensitive biologists, especially one as shy as Mari. But instead of wilting from the heat and hard work, Mari wins over Jack and his crew one homemade brownie at a time.

Jack and Mari find a comfortable rhythm, building a friendship that’s rare for both of them. After Jack’s rocky childhood, they have more in common than they’d imagined. But even the Mojave sun can’t chase away the shadows when the past is determined to track them down…Goodreads)

Review:

Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen is the second book I have read by Ms. Hazen and my opinion of this author has not changed – I really enjoy reading her stories! They are engaging, interesting storylines with a pace of action that kept me engaged throughout.

Take note: there is a fair amount more detail in her love scenes than in the previous book I have read of Ms. Hazen’s (Unbreak Me) and that may bother some readers (I felt a little too much detail, but not so much that I was put off – I just like to leave a little more to my own imagination).

Mari, a wildlife biologist, has left an abusive ex-husband and has restarted her life keeping under the radar by living in her vehicle while taking jobs in remote locations. Jack, a construction foreman, has had to endure a childhood of abuse not just from his father but also from his older brother is also leading a more socially secluded existence. Both seem to feel they are undeserving of love (i.e. blaming themselves in part for the abuse they have had to endure).

I REALLY enjoyed the aspect of the story that Mari was the watchful eye on site to protect the wildlife (by making sure the construction site adhered to the Endangered Species Act. We often, as a society ignore the fact that we are all this planet in a relatively symbiotic relationship with other creatures and must respect that, if we are to sustain life on this planet.

Along the way to Mari and Jack forming a relationship, we have a number of other interesting and engaging storylines. The inter-relationships with their other co-workers shows that these two “socially inept” individuals can indeed create bonds with others, it just takes longer. And as they form relationships with others – they gain the confidence in themselves again. The transformation was slow and steady and intriguing to experience along with Mari and Jack. Of course – there were some hiccups – but that is to be expected as life is never a that easy.

We get to see Mari stand up for the wildlife she is trying to protect and how she transforms Jack’s views on this! Truly inspirational and in some respects kind of funny how much Jack changed his tune! Mari’s slowly developed close relationship with Jack’s team was endearing. Some of the characters on the team are “interesting” and will keep you chuckling time and again.

I found Michelle Hazen’s writing style very descriptive, evocative and thought provoking. Parts of the story were very heavy, yet the writing was handled with such care for the character and her struggles to overcome her past. And then, we have scenes where I just could not help but laugh. As a prior resident of the deserts in Arizona – I loved reading the descriptions written by Ms. Hazen – a lovely trip down memory lane.

In the final analysis, Breathe the Sky is a slowly burning love story between two individuals with very heavy baggage that they are both dealing with. This baggage allows them to understand each other and take the slow road to a wonderful, simpatico relationship where each is better off.

I will certainly endeavour to read more of Ms. Hazen’s books as I find her style easy to read with wonderful content which engages my imagination and in fact, teaches me many things (an lovely education on the wildlife that needs are concerted effort to respect there habitat).

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this one up on the New Release shelf at the library recently...and I wish I’d left it there. I was immediately drawn to the cover. The setting & synopsis sounded different (but intriguing), so I thought it’d be worth a shot.

My issues with this book are vast, but the big ones are...
1. The overuse of the word “ain’t.” It was just too much. Way too much.
2. The author was trying too hard with Jack. I get that he’s from Alabama, but people from Alabama do know how to speak in complete sentences. His character was supposed to be a little gruff, but it doesn’t mean he is incapable of speaking in complete sentences. He came off sounding like an illiterate caveman.
3. The relationship between the two main characters was unhealthy & toxic. In no way do I buy that they are good for each other. Given Jack’s childhood & Mari’s previous marriage, they both needed a healthy dose of therapy or time to heal and grow before they could pursue healthy relationships. I could not buy into their “happily ever after,” because they never resolved the root of their issues.
4. The author’s mishandling of Mari’s ex-husband. I’m supposed to believe he stalks her & tracks her down, but then also believe he’s a changed man because he went to therapy? An abusive husband who threatened to kill her, shows up after tracking her down, she tells him to leave, and he just does? Oh, but wait, just kidding, he pays her medical bills from all the times he beat her up, then shows up in the epilogue with a gun & gets sent to jail, so he wasn’t really changed. And that entire scene happened literally in TWO sentences! Two. Sentences.

Do yourself a favor & skip this book. I hate leaving poor reviews for books, but this one was genuinely one of the worst I’ve read this year. Ugh...

[Comfy Couch Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to have been waiting for this so long, and once I had it in my hands I was transported to the remote Mojave desert and really could imagine the dust and the heat while meeting Mari the wildlife biologist and Jack the rough and gruff construction guy.

Mari and Jack meet when she is allocated to his crew to monitor their work and make sure that no harm comes to the desert creatures who might be in the way. Until he meets Mari Jack has had no time for anything or anyone that gets in his way, but with patience (and brownies) Mari shows him why her work is necessary and when he rescues a baby tortoise we get to see that he does have feelings underneath it all.

I love Michelle's writing style and the way she so skilfully portrays her characters, delving deeply into the reasons as to why they are who they are, and then she turns everything on it's head as we see how love changes them and makes them so much happier. Mari hides her strength behind her gentleness, she loves Jack but will never compromise her happiness for a man again. Jack learns that not all the world is against him and he is worth of love and he no longer has to have fears and insecurities, someone has his back.

This is a not to be missed story that is set in a unique location. Although it is a familiar theme it it so enhanced by the descriptions of the beautiful animals that inhabit the desert. Ten stars and more for this one, one of my favourite books of the year. Thank you to Michelle and Hidden Gems for the chance to read this book early.