She’s a widow. And I’m not what I would consider a good role model for her young child.
It’s been a long road for me. I’ve been plagued with bad decisions and grief. You could say life sucker punched the wind right out of me.
Just like it did to the woman in the car that spun into the ditch right before my eyes. I helped calm her down until the ambulance came, and assumed I’d never see her again.
Judging by her wide eyes and the soda that poured into my lap when Montana Hutchinson delivered the drinks to my table at the town diner, I would guess she believed the same thing.
I thought we could be friends. After all, we have more in common than even she realizes.
But it seems Tana happens to be a magnet for trouble. And I happen to be the kind of guy that can’t sit back and watch the danger unfold around her.
I’ll do anything to protect her and her daughter.
But every day I spend with her gets harder to push down the feelings growing inside of me.
Being with Tana not only proves I’m capable of love again.
I can breathe again.
Happiness isn’t something that everyone gets the privilege to have.
And there’s no way I’m about to let anyone take it away from me again.
C.E. Johnson writes protective hero romance with a side of suspense!
She wrote her first book in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since. C.E. is best known for her romantic suspense series, The Elements of the Heart, which features protective heroes, strong heroines in danger, small town feels, and love that will have your heart swelling.
She's a dog lover, iced coffee enthusiast, and dreams of living in a cabin deep in the woods one day like so many of her characters do.
C.E. Johnson currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, two kids, and a bunch of spoiled rotten animals.
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So I have been waiting for Whack's book since the release of Watch Me Burn. I truly fell in love with each of the guys (Everest, Gill and Whack) with Watch Me Drown, which was the first book of C.E. Johnson's I had read. I think Whack, a.k.a Lucas, has always been my favorite though. There's just something about a big tough guy who always has a cotton candy sucker that just gets to me. He is such a strong, tough, yet soft and sweet guy, what woman wouldn't want him.
In this book we meet Tana. She is an amazing woman. A single mother doing her best to make ends meet and provide for her daughter. She is an impressive character and such a perfect match for Whack. When talking about Tana though, I can't not mention Iris, talk about child character that is written so incredibly cute that you have no choice but to love that little chick and want to pinch her little chubby cheeks. Her obsession with Mason is adorable, but her love of Wookas (Lucas) is heart melting. Also, Leslie needs a mention, Tana's mom who moved to help Tana out after her husband passed. We all know a strong woman had to have been raised by a strong woman. I know I would be afraid of crossing Leslie and meeting the wrong end of her bat.
This book had so many incredible characters. There were so many amazing scenes as well. This is a book I found easy to get lost in, and could easily loose myself in time and time again. Both Tana and Lucas have been through so much. I will say the twist at the end was one I didn't see coming at all. Once it was revealed though I just wanted to smack myself in the forehead for not seeing that sooner. I am sure no one who reads this book will see it coming until it is revealed though.
Likeable characters with an enjoyable plot. A family isn't always who you choose. There's books are part of a series . I would recommend reading from the beginning. Lucas & Tana were made to help the other one breathe. Both come from a past that isn't pretty . They both end up with a beautiful future together.
Watch Me Breathe by C.E. Johnson has been on my watch list for some time now. After reading the blurb I knew I needed this book in my hands as soon as possible. C.E. Johnson is a new-to-me author, but after reading Watch Me Breathe, I honestly see myself going through this author's previous published books and giving them all a read! What can I say, I was a fan of Lucas and Tana from the start!!! Their story was flawless and beautiful with so much heart! I couldn't put it down!
Tana is a single mother just trying to do her best with raising her daughter. After losing her husband to a car accident, Tana's world was ripped out from underneath her and she was left free falling in the dark. The day she pulled herself from the dark was the day she ran off the road and crashed her car into a ditch. And that is where fate intervenes and brings the two together.
Lucas *Whack* has been through his own harsh levels of hardships and devastation. Lucas' backstory broke my heart and shattered my soul. Lucas has a sweet soul and a kind heart, but that kindness is often shadowed with his own personal demons. Two shattered souls find their way to each other on one fateful day, and the rest was written in the stars.
One of my favorite trope's in romance is what I've deemed the learning to live again trope. This is when one, or both, characters have endured a substantial loss that completely unravels their whole life, or lives. This trope brought so much angst to this novel. I loved the guarded approach that Johnson gave both characters in this story. Both Tana and Lucas have faced significant loss, and both fear getting involved with another and then having catastrophe happen again. I loved the fact that Tana and Lucas both went through similar situations. This made the chemistry and the connection between the two of them even stronger!
I'm not going to dive to deep into the rest of this novel. The key is the element of surprise with this one. If you're interested in the learning to live again trope mixed with a single parent romance don't hesitate in picking up Watch Me Breathe by C.E. Johnson! Between the angst and all the feels, there wasn't a moment while reading when I felt nothing. Every moment carries an emotion. You won't regret 1-clicking this swoony alpha hero!!
I will definitely be picking up more novels from C.E. Johnson in the very near future. I loved her writing style and her flow! I can see her being a favorite author in the upcoming future! We shall see!
So this was my first book by this author and I have to say I am going back and reading the previous books in this series.
Lucas ‘Whack’ is a widower and his past is not an easy one. After losing his wife he feels that he is happy on his own and doesn’t need find that love and happiness again. Until he meets Montana. Her car kind of goes out of control and lands in a ditch and this is their first meeting 😊
Montana is a widow as well and now she is a single mother trying to make a life for her and her daughter. And just like Lucas Montana didn’t have the easiest life either. But she at least has her daughter to keep her grounded. Can these two find a way to have a second chance at love or will their pasts be to much to overcome???
This was definitely an author that I will go back and read again. This book was filled with heartache and pain and also the chance of having a second chance at love and happiness and it has some suspense thrown into the mix as well, combined with some amazing chemistry. I loved that Lucas was so protective of Tana and her daughter. Tana is a strong and amazing mother and you can see how focused she is to building a life for her daughter. Again I love single parent books, its just awesome to see the story unfold where the single parent is all about raising their kids until they find the one that adds more to their lives😊 ♥I cant wait to read the next book in this series.
This book was great from start to end!! I absolutely love Whack!! He's rough around the edges, but has a huge heart. He opens up his heart to those that need a second chance because he was given a second chance at life. He lost a lot, but he gained something again when he met Tana. You can't deny fate and fate was definitely pushing them together.
I love how strong Tana is in the book. Being a single mother who lost everything. She has the support of her mother who is feisty, which I also adore about her. Tana's daughter, Iris, is just adorable.
I will never look at a cotton candy sucked the same. Whack is absolutely obsessed with them and I love the reasoning behind it.
This book was everything and more!! I was not expecting the little twist in it and the introduction of Mason throughout the book was a nice surprise. Definitely a must read book!!
Watch Me Breathe will have you holding your breath, gasping for air and falling in love with Lucas. But don’t fall too hard because he’s “mine” and I don’t like to share. As Tana and Whack (Lucas) crash into each other’s lives, your emotions will be on high alert and your ovaries on overload. Lucas is so sexy and protective and the way he is with Tana’s daughter, Iris will have you wanting to make a baby with him pronto! You will be rooting for them so hard while you laugh, cry and maybe want someone to die? You can decide for yourself when you read this amazing story full of swoon-worthy, life changing moments, along with others that will steal your breath. You need to read this book for the cotton candy suckers, the puppy, the tools and the diner alone. Watch Me Breathe pulled me in and I didn’t want it to let me go because I want to be Whack’s Angel for life.
I absolutely loved Watch Me Breathe by C.E. Johnson, it is an incredible love at first sight love story. It is the third book in her Elements of the Heart series. Watch Me Breathe is the first book that I have read by C.E. Johnson and am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. C.E. Johnson has shown that she is an amazing storyteller. I could not put it down and I loved every page. Who doesn't love hot sexy men, strong, passionate females, loving families, and caring friends, who always support one another? C.E Johnson delivered all that and so much more. One of my favorite parts of her books is how she incorporates the title of the book into the love story, with a simple statement from Tana. I love that she wrote her story in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. Watch Me Breathe is a love at first sight love story and is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. My favorite moments are the ones that pull at my heartstrings that cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Watch Me Breathe is filled with such moments, and with so much emotion. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a love story, C.E Johnson did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Watch Me Breathe is the story of Lucas “Whack” Redman, owner of roofing company and former convict and Montana “Tana” Hutchinson, widow, single mother of two-year-old, Iris and waitress at a local diner. Tana and Lucas meet when Tana’s car runs off the road across the street from the jobsite when Lucas and his crew are replacing a roof. Lucas holds Tana’s hand until the ambulance arrives, his employee, Mason removes Iris from her car seat and keeps her safe in Lucas’s truck. While in Lucas’s truck, Iris discovers a dog stuffed animal. Tana and Lucas run into each other again at the diner where Tana works and she spills of tray of drinks on him. Conversation between Tana and Lucas flows so easily, I love that both Tana and Lucas share secrets with one another that they have not shared with anyone before, especially the secrets that Lucas shares about his family and Tana’s about her husband. I love the emotionally charged heart to heart talks that Tana’s mom, Leslie has with her. I especially love the significance of the dog stuffed animal that Lucas allowed iris to keep. It was truly heartbreaking. I love Lucas’s interactions with Iris, especially Lucas’s suckers. I love how Tana and Lucas have more in common than they initially realize. I love that they were both so vulnerable and are both willing to take another chance with love and happiness. As Tana and Lucas continue to spend time together, things change between them and they both admit their true feelings for one another. I loved the multiple plot twists in the story, especially the surprise one, and how they are all so wonderfully resolved in this incredible story. I loved that Watch Me Breathe is a more than just a romance, there are dilemmas that both Tana and Lucas are facing that need to be resolved. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. I love Lucas’s proposal and the ending of the love story, how both Tana and Lucas change because of their love for one another and how Lucas makes Tana’s dreams come true. Watch Me Breathe is filled with poignant and bittersweet moments as well as plot twists. I love the cast of characters in Watch Me Breathe and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who doesn’t love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Watch Me Breathe, who doesn’t love a love at first sight love story. Highly recommend this incredible love story and am so looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Watch Me Breathe is the third book in C.E.Johnson's 'Elements of the Heart' series. This is my first read from a book in this series, and indeed from C.E.Johnson as an author. Thank you to Grey's Promo for my advanced copy for a read and review, and to C.E.Johnson for the little we've spoken for being so amazingly nice.
I'll definitely have to go back and grab the other two books after being blown away by this read, 'Whack' has whacked me well and truly into shape and now I must, must go back and read the other two to catch on up with the backstory leading up to the point in this book.
Having no prior knowledge of the general plot, storyline or character backstory of any of the characters within this book, I was able to look at it with an unbiased or narrowed focus and dove right on in to an immersive, deep, telling story of Whack (Aka Lucas), Tana and the gang.
From the outset, I knew this was going to be a story with deep subjects, and it was how we were going to be navigated through them alongside the characters that would determine if it was a thumbs up or down at the end. I'm happy to report, it's a thumbs up from me. Having read stories with widows in before, I was keen to see how the element of widowhood would blend (or not) with Whack's background, and if they would sink or swim. You'll have to read the book to get to know Whack's past, it surprised me in a good way and bravo for C.E. for including such a background and creating a genuinely lovely, hearty character to go with it. It isn't often that I see things go hand in glove without the male lead being a 'bad boy', so it was a welcome change for a wholesome character to get to know. What can I say I'm a 'sucker' for Whack now. If you know, you know.
Off the top of my head, I cannot find a single thing to fault C.E.Johnson or Watch me Breathe. It is again a book outside of my typical reading genre of small town romance, and I was thoroughly impressed by the varied subject matters, the characters, the storyline and oh so much more. I truly cannot say any more without spoiling it, but I definitely laughed, cried, rolled my eyes as I read and much like the title, I held my breath and watched myself breathe when those sweet moments of release, for want of a word, and pockets of happiness warmed me from the tip of my toes to the top of my head.
Not to mention, when things got REALLY good if you're following my drift, flames were well and truly being fanned! Also, a round of applause. It's always a rewarding moment when two characters we are cheering on and championing unite in more than one way, and most likely more than on time throughout the course of the night/time of coming together.
Additionally, just when you think it has all calmed down for that even more rewarding Happily Ever After (HEA), we're spun in completely different direction which once more stole at least my own breath, crossing everything for a conclusion that won't have us reaching for the compulsory box of issues when picking up a book, just in case. This is a curveball I didn't see coming and can prove that a seasoned bibliophile like myself, can continue to be pleasantly surprised and put on the edge of my seat.
C.E.Johnson, well done! Five fabulous stars for you, Whack and Tana! I'm adding this and the other two books on my list of paperbacks to get because without a shadow of a doubt, they are bookcase worthy!
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided by The Author via Grey's Promotionin exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
Watch Me Breathe is the story of an emotional connection between two individuals who have suffered immense loss in their life, and yet are still standing, still breathing and still surviving.
Lucas aka Whack is a tough guy - who always has a candy sucker in his mouth, looks tough and scary but hides such softness that had me wanting wrap him up in a warm, warm hug for all eternity.
Montana, aka Tana lost her husband in a car accident, has had to step up to become a single mother to her daughter. It isn’t the life she envisioned for herself, but it’s the life she has been dealt with and she is trying her best to keep her head above water.
When an unfortunate accident has her paths crossing with Lucas’s - their connection and attraction to each other is undeniable. Watch Me Breathe is an emotional romance between two broken individuals with a hint of mystery to sweeten the reading experience.
Watch Me Breathe (Elements of the Heart #3) Written by: C. E. Johnson
A bookstagram friend recommended C.E. Johnson to me when the first book Watch Me Drown, Elements of the Heart series came out. I read it; I loved it and moved C. E. Johnson on to my one-click list of authors. I did it because her books draw readers into the story, you invest in her characters and you celebrate this group of brothers who are a family even though they come from different walks of life. Johnson also gives us women who give these men a run for their money, they are sassy, they are strong and they love hard.
I have been waiting since book 1 for Whack’s (Lucas’s) story and this was perfect. This man who lost his world, who knew justice would never be served and who was willing to exact his own form of punishment to get justice is truly a big teddy bear waiting for the right person to come into his life. He just doesn’t know it yet.
When he and an employee hear a car swerve on gravel they run to help. This is how we meet Tana (Montana) and little Iris (Tana’s daughter). Thankfully neither are hurt, but we learn that Lucas and Tana have so much in common, they just don’t know it yet. Tana a single mother works in a local diner so it is kind of written in time that they would meet up again and over a very short period sparks begin to fly and a relationship begins to grow.
If you are a loyal C. E. Johnson reader you are happy to see the characters we have met in books 1 and 2. Whack’s brothers and by extension their wives and partners. Not to take away from Whack’s story at all, is little Iris a toddler coming close to turning three and a way of winning every heart that meets her.
With Watch Me Breathe, C. E. Johnson has yet another winning couple that will just add to the already growing found family from her Elements of the Heart series.
Watch Me Breathe is a well told story of second chances and finding love after loss. Lucas aka Whack meets Tana when he helps to rescue her and her young daughter following a car accident. Tana is a widow and single mom, and neither she nor Lucas are looking for love. They have an instant connection though, and when they run into each other again, they begin to build a friendship. With Lucas's past, he doesn't believe that he could ever have a HEA, but as his need to protect Tana grows, so do his feelings for her.
Although there is an instant attraction between these two characters, this is a bit of a slow burn. This story isn't overly angsty although there were a few surprises that I didn't see coming. Having not read the other books in this series, there were several other characters that showed up here, and I found myself wanting to know more about their stories. While this book can be read as a stand alone, I'd maybe suggest reading the other books in the series first. This is the first book that I've read by C.E. Johnson, and I'll definitely be adding the rest of this series to my TBR.
This was my first time reading something by this author and I really enjoyed her writing. I'm looking forward to checking out the first two books from this series and hopefully a book for Mason.
While working Lucas witnesses a car spin out and end up in a ditch. He helps the woman remain calm until an ambulance arrives. He never thought he'd see her again until she delivers drinks to his table at the local diner. Neither expected to ever see each other again, judging by what happens at the diner. And when her boss gives her a hard time Lucas steps in to say something.
He feels the need to protect her and her daughter. Even driving in the middle of the night to her home after he receives a call from her number. Lucas and Montana have both suffered the loss of a spouse and neither are looking to get into a relationship but there is no denying their attraction.
But will they be able to overcome their fears and finally let themselves truly love again?
3.5 Stars Watch Me Breathe is the third title in the Elements of the Heart series. Whilst I haven’t read the previous titles in the series, this was actually my first time reading anything written by C.E. Johnston, I was easily able to read this addition as a standalone. This title is a small-town romance featuring a pair of widows. Lucas aka ‘Whack’ is a widower with a painful past. He’s strong, yet vulnerable, hardworking, sexy and protective. Tana is a widower and single mother, who is strong, resilient, and hardworking and has an adorable little girl. This title is heart-warming with a pair who are reluctant to put their hearts on the line, after suffering a personal tragedy, but there are also elements of drama and suspense.
Sometimes I just want to sit down and read a 💯swoon-worthy slow burn but hot romance. I need that boost to re-energize me and Watch Me Breath gave me such a boost. I could see myself settling down on my sofa, switching on a slightly hot version of the Hallmark Channel, and watch Montana and Lucas's story unfold, I also need to include a special mention of 2-year-old Iris, Tana's little girl. Tissue may be required as well, so be prepared.
There I some moments in the book when I held my breath as we got to know Tana and Lucas, as we understood their tragic pasts and the journey they undertook to be where they are today. Their story needed to slowly build, it would have been a travesty to rush their romance.
Loved getting to read Lucas's story and finding out his history. This man has been through so much in his life, and it was nice to see him get his HEA. Montana (Tana) is the perfect fit for him. She too has been through a lot, she is doing what needs to be done for her and her daughter, and she is one strong woman.
My heart was in my throat at the accident scene, and again later on in the book when the suspenseful element kicked in. During that suspenseful part of the book I was definitely going through my mind trying to think of who it was, and I wasn't even close. But I guess I should have guessed had I been paying closer attention.
I really enjoyed the book, and I cannot wait for Mason to have his story told.
It is the first book I have read from this author and I can say that she has great characerts in her stories. I just loved this couple... I love angst characters and this couple has been through a lot, Montana and Lucas know the pain of loosing someone and I think that is what brings them together, the knowing. At the same time, they get to be alive again with each other and that it what the book is about, how to overcome such a pain. There is also a suspense in this story, but I believe that they main focus is in this wonderful couple.
She’s a widow. And I’m not what I would consider a good role model for her young child.
It’s been a long road for me. I’ve been plagued with bad decisions and grief. You could say life sucker punched the wind right out of me.
Just like it did to the woman in the car that spun into the ditch right before my eyes. I helped calm her down until the ambulance came, and assumed I’d never see her again.
Judging by her wide eyes and the soda that poured into my lap when Montana Hutchinson delivered the drinks to my table at the town diner, I would guess she believed the same thing.
I thought we could be friends. After all, we have more in common than even she realizes.
But it seems Tana happens to be a magnet for trouble. And I happen to be the kind of guy that can’t sit back and watch the danger unfold around her.
I’ll do anything to protect her and her daughter.
But every day I spend with her gets harder to push down the feelings growing inside of me.
Being with Tana not only proves I’m capable of love again.
I can breathe again.
Happiness isn’t something that everyone gets the privilege to have.
And there’s no way I’m about to let anyone take it away from me again.
Loved Tana & Luca's story! Beautifully written and heartfelt. Lots of chemistry between them. Lucas is absolutely swoon worthy & is so sweet with Tana's daughter. Loved every page.
I’ve loved Whack (Lucas) since the very beginning, but knew he had some serious pain in his past. And he definitely did. But all of the men in this series do, so he fits in with his family by choice perfectly. As does Montana, when he’s willing to let himself actually have her. The only hitch? Her daughter. But Lucas can’t help falling for that little girl’s heart either. He just has to convince himself and Tana that they’re worth giving a relationship a chance. Okay, so he really has to convince Tana. And he’ll do his absolute best at convincing her, that’s for sure.
Montana has been through almost as much pain and misery as Lucas, and she’s even less willing to put herself out there to be hurt again. But she can’t help falling for the man who treats her and her daughter like they’re precious gifts he can’t believe he’s gotten. So she has to decide whether or not the possibility of future pain is a risk she’s willing to take with Lucas.
I loved this story so much, and I was thrown by the possible sources of trouble. And when trouble came calling, it was a shock to me. Even more so was the shock in how it was all solved. I won’t lie. I really like the karmic retribution that came with it. And now I wait and hope for happiness for Mason in the near future, too!
This is a story of two people who each have experience tragedy in their lives. They meet when Lucas rescues Tana and her young daughter after they crash their car. Both are not sure they are ready for a relationship. Each don't want to love and lose again. The pull they have for each other is undeniable though. This is my first book by this author and although this can be read as a standalone, I would have like it even more if I had read about the other couples stories. I received this arc for my honest review.
This is a heartwarming story that takes your breath away from chapter one and leaves you wanting more with each page! From the moment Lucas and Tana meet, the sparks fly and you immediately want to see where the story leads them! The characters are so well developed, you feel like you know them personally and as some of the characters cross over from other books, I find myself loving Lucas’ close-knit group more and more as the tension builds between him and Tana. Add some drama, a protective mom, an adorable daughter and past trauma to the mix and you’ve got a beautiful, well-rounded romance! Loved it from beginning to end!
"Watch Me Breathe" by C.E. Johnson was a first by this author for me. I enjoyed every second of every page of this book. I jumped in this series on the third book and I fully intend to go back and read the previous books. It is a standalone story but with interconnecting character.
Both Lucas 'Whack", a widower, has a seriously painful past. After losing his wife and spending time in prison, he feels that he no chance at finding love and happiness again. Until, Montana's car spins out and into the ditch near his jobsite. Montana has pain in her past as well. But she has something that Lucas has always wanted but never got to have, her daughter. As he falls not only in love with Montana, he falls head over heels for her daughter as well. Can he convince Montana that what they have together right and their second chance? Read this book to find out.
Tana is a widow and a single mother of an adorable daughter. Lucas is an owner of a roofing company and a broken man. These two broken people found each other when they needed to find someone to heal with. Lucas has an amazing set of friends that are more like family and they welcomed Tana into their group with open arms. This was a great quick read that was very entertaining and packed with drama and excitement. I really Enjoyed the fast pace of this book and would definitely read another book written by this author.
A m a z i n g ✨ Honestly I can’t even say anything bad about this book. I fell for Lucas the first time he showed up. He made me wish I had that love in my life and so much more! Tana is the most amazing and strong woman I’ve read recently, she fights for her daughter and no one will stop her, and I love that. Remembers me of my own mother and I love my mommy❤️ And can we talk about how fucking sexy is just picturing foreplay with a sucker or just Lucas constantly sucking on them! Practice makes perfect, wink wink 😌
Second chance love, small town with a single parent and turmoil pasts. That’s a pretty good description of what you’ll find here, and let me tell you. You won’t regret it✨
Luca saved Montana once from a stranded car and months later they meet again. Luca isn’t sure he’s good enough for Tana but at the same time he knows he can’t leave her and her child alone.
I loved this book so much. The story really gripped my heart. I liked how author unveiled everything in the book.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Watch Me Breath is the 3rd book to the Elements of the Heart series by C.E. Johnson.
There is a twist that I did not expect in the book and secrets that were different from what I imagined. It's a single parent and its a little angst.
Lucas is the owner of a roofing company that has gone through some traumatic stuff and is still trying to cope with it. He meets Tana when she crashes into a ditch. He was fixing a roof with Mason, one of his employees, when they hear and see someone crash into the ditch. Lucas freeze as it brings back memories that he doesn't want to deal with. When they go help her out they see that she has a 2 year old daughter. That makes Lucas start to want to panic, but he sees that Tana is already getting a panic attack so he shakes him self out of it to help her calm down.
Tana has also had a traumatic experience with car accidents. Her husband had died in a car accident, hence her freaking out, she tells Lucas and Mason to get baby Iris out of the car to make sure she's okay. A few weeks after when he goes into the diner she works at with his employees, he sees her again. He gets a front row seat to watch how her boss treats her. That isn't okay with him and hands her his card with his number just incase she needs anything.
That same night he gets a call from an unknown number and answers it. When he does he hears heavy breathing and faint crys in the background. When they hang up he gets another call from the same unknown number and this time the crying is louder and they hang up again. This doesn't make him feel good so he calls his friend to figure out who it was. Once get knows who it is he hurries to make sure they (Tana and Iris) are okay.
From that night on they practicality see each other and talk to each other every day he goes to the diner. Until she gets a call at the diner and Lucas sees her face get pale. He knows something bad happend. He's ready to do so damage to who ever is on the other side of the phone.
This book is a slow burn but it keeps you intertain through out the book. But I liked it and the fact that they involved his friends was good. I didn't know there are 2 books before this one. I read it as a standalone, but I recommend that you read the series from the beginning so you could get a little more insight on the friends and their dynamics. Over all I liked the book and can't wait to read the 4th book to this series!
Montana (Tana) is a widower and single mom. When she wrecks her car into a ditch she never expected to see her handsome rescuer again. Lucas doesn’t believe in fate, but when he sees Tana working in the diner after rescuing her and her young daughter from a car wreck, he knows he would like to see her again . . . especially after seeing her boss treating her unkindly. When fate brings them together a third time, they decide to enjoy some time together while taking it slow.
Tana has no idea just how much she has in common with Lucas, but her heart strings tug every time she sees him interacting with her baby girl. Both are terrified of feeling again . . .their pasts are heartbreaking. But, they are drawn together like magnets. When their relationship is threatened and Tana and Iris are in danger once again will Lucas be able to save the day?
This book was both heartbreaking and full of love and second chances. Tana is so strong to be caring for Iris after her husband passed away. She is hardworking and loyal and full of joy even on the hardest of days.
Lucas has a gut wrenching past - you’ll have to read to find out, but giving in to love again isn’t easy for him. But, somehow, Tana and Iris make his heart beat again. He’ll do anything to keep them safe and happy. He is also loyal, and it shows through the network of friends that have become his family.
Leslie, Tana’s mom, is also a stand out character. Strong and feisty, she will do anything to both protect her girls and push Tana towards happiness again. I adored her.
I didn’t read the rest of this series, and you don’t need to to jump right in. This story is a complete standalone. That being said, I now want to know more about the other couples mentioned in this book, so I may need to back track and start at book one.
I loved how emotional this story felt, and how the author let these characters find one another through fate, leading them towards a much deserved happy ever after 4 stars!
Watch Me Breathe was a pleasant introduction to C.E. Johnson. I found the writing good, the story both romantic and suspenseful and the characters well-defined.
Montana is sympathetic. She's a hard-working, widow with a child. Her mother is the best of mama bears and the daughter is a sweet child. The three are doing OK living next door to each other. Lucas is an ex-con with a sad past that follows him today. He's lost so much but he's a great guy. His criminal conviction was legally just but morally maybe not so much. He rushes to Tana and Iris's aid after Tana crashes her car and takes care of them until the ambulance can reach them. He even gives Iris a stuffed dog that has a lot of history from his past. Iris is immediately totally attached to the toy and Tana's heart starts to melt for the tough but sexy guy. When he runs into Tana at the diner she works at, he again feels a draw that started back at the crash. When he defends her from her creepy and vindictive boss she's even more drawn to him. Soon they're seeing a lot of each other.
The story is sweet. Lucas is great with Tana and Iris. Their pasts, her boss and a criminally inclined employee and the typical relationship misunderstandings cause lots of grief giving the story the kind of suspense I like with my romance. I recommend this book.
Thanks to the author, publisher and publicist for the ARC.
Be ready to fall in love with Lucas over and over!
Whack, aka Lucas got my attention on the previous books of this series. A protective, loyal friend who is hilarious and jokes around while loving hard those around him. And let’s not forget his obsession with candy cane suckers! He needs them like he needs his next breath. But not as much as the sweet, independent widow called Tana. Their connection is off the charts. The teasing and slow burn is very on point. Their passion is explosive and grabs your attention with every contact they have. Let’s not forget the sweetest girl, Iris that loves her mama Tana and is obsessed with Whack.
This is a story that will pull at your heart strings. You definitely need to read this book as a standalone or the 3rd one on this amazing series. Be ready to enjoy it and see this broken couple come back full circle to make u cheer for them at the turn of each page. Well done CE Johnson. It amazes me how creative and talented you are. Watch Me Breathe did take my breath away many times, but at the end it left my heart content.
Can’t wait to read Watch Me Land next!!! Nanedsmomba- reviewer and blogger for Life Reads With Friends