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A Breath Apart
The Fischers are the only family Brennan has ever known, and when they adopt him, he has no plans on doing anything to jeopardize that. Even if it means pretending Josh Daly doesn’t make his heart pound every time their eyes meet.
The tension eases once Josh heads off to a Christian University on a baseball scholarship. Brennan stays put in Elm Grove to work at his family’s drive-in movie theater and take classes at the local community college.
But when Josh comes home for summer break, the feeling not only returns, it transforms into a loud and commanding drumbeat he struggles to tune out.
Finally admitting who he is feels overwhelming. There’s a reason Brennan remains a virgin and when he realizes Josh might be one too, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Except acting on his attraction throws everything Josh has been raised to believe out the window.
Plagued by fear and self-doubt, they finally surrender, placing their trust in each other and their undeniable connection. But facing the world together takes the sort of faith that will either strengthen their bond…or shatter its very foundation.
The tension eases once Josh heads off to a Christian University on a baseball scholarship. Brennan stays put in Elm Grove to work at his family’s drive-in movie theater and take classes at the local community college.
But when Josh comes home for summer break, the feeling not only returns, it transforms into a loud and commanding drumbeat he struggles to tune out.
Finally admitting who he is feels overwhelming. There’s a reason Brennan remains a virgin and when he realizes Josh might be one too, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Except acting on his attraction throws everything Josh has been raised to believe out the window.
Plagued by fear and self-doubt, they finally surrender, placing their trust in each other and their undeniable connection. But facing the world together takes the sort of faith that will either strengthen their bond…or shatter its very foundation.
Audible Audio
First published July 2, 2019
242 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lee
58 books2,154 followersChristina writes romance in different sub-genres, mostly with LGBTQ characters, not only because she's part of the community, but because representation matters, and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
July 4, 2019
I have been on a real YA / NA streak lately and when I read the blurb for this one, I know I had to add it to my list. I sounded absolutely perfect to me and guess what ?? It really was !! I absolutely loved this sweet, but also a bit angsty, slow burn.
Those of you who are not a fan of insta love are definitely gonna love this one, because these two guys really take their sweet time... I kept screaming at them to kiss !!
In the back of their heads, Brennan and Josh have always known there was something more between the two of them than friendship. But with both of them being so young still and Brennan just being adopted into his new family, not to mention Josh's extremely religious parents, neither of them really gave it a second thought. Until now that is...
Both of them are adults now and neither of them has ever dated a girl....and they are finally starting to fully realize why. But realizing why doesn't make things any easier for them. Brennan is afraid his adoptive family won't want him anymore and Josh has been lectured enough about homosexuality enough to know his family will never accept him being gay...
But the heart wants what it wants and these boys definitely want each other !!
These two were so adorable together. Seeing them make a connection and fall in love....discovering each other in all ways. It took them a while, but that first kiss was definitely worth the wait. So sweet and so hot ;)
But as they grew closer and more and more in love, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop...because it always does.
It did of course but it wasn't all as bad as I thought it would be. I know this author can do really angsty when she wants to, but this book was pretty mild...at least I feel that way. Then again, I am a big angst-lover...
I highly recommend this one !!
An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2019
This is a well written, poignant story, but I couldn't relate to the MCs at all. They were so young, still teenagers, barely older than my daughter. They were naive and innocent, and all caught up in shame and guilt. There was so much religion and teenage angst. Low steam, HFN, just not my thing.
That's all ME though. I knew the demographic going in. If you enjoy YA stories, you'll like this book.
That's all ME though. I knew the demographic going in. If you enjoy YA stories, you'll like this book.
July 16, 2019
4 Stars
A Breath Apart is a new adult M/M romance that will be perfect for fans of novels such as Autoboyography and Goodbye Paradise – all three of which are coming-of-age type stories featuring young men learning to embrace their sexuality, all while dealing with the anxieties and difficulties that often go along with being queer in heavily religious families and towns.
Very straightforward in relation to plot, this story simply follows the day-to-day happenings of 18yr old Brennan and 19yr old Josh as they spend their summer learning to accept the truest part of themselves while embracing the secret feelings they’ve always had for one another.
Although fairly angsty – especially in terms of how torn up Brennan and Josh are about how coming out could cause relationship altering fall-outs with their families (for very different reasons) – this was otherwise a very sweet and beautiful romance, with the boys sharing all those heart-warming, butterfly-inducing, first-time everything moments, as they learn to live and love together.
I liked this a lot. <3
A Breath Apart is a new adult M/M romance that will be perfect for fans of novels such as Autoboyography and Goodbye Paradise – all three of which are coming-of-age type stories featuring young men learning to embrace their sexuality, all while dealing with the anxieties and difficulties that often go along with being queer in heavily religious families and towns.
Very straightforward in relation to plot, this story simply follows the day-to-day happenings of 18yr old Brennan and 19yr old Josh as they spend their summer learning to accept the truest part of themselves while embracing the secret feelings they’ve always had for one another.
Although fairly angsty – especially in terms of how torn up Brennan and Josh are about how coming out could cause relationship altering fall-outs with their families (for very different reasons) – this was otherwise a very sweet and beautiful romance, with the boys sharing all those heart-warming, butterfly-inducing, first-time everything moments, as they learn to live and love together.
I liked this a lot. <3
July 11, 2019
This is a wonderful example of the young adult romance that Christina Lee has such a knack for.
It's beautifully written, Josh and Brennan's emotions, fears and hopes are lovingly laid out in an exploration of the joys and pains of falling in love for the first time.
I wasn't sure how it was going to go and spent a fair bit of time waiting for the hammer to drop in some way, but it was still a gut twister when it eventually came.
But, as this is a romance, I knew there'd be a journey back to happiness and I loved how that was done in a way which made perfect sense.
It's sweet and full of passion and I loved it.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
It's beautifully written, Josh and Brennan's emotions, fears and hopes are lovingly laid out in an exploration of the joys and pains of falling in love for the first time.
I wasn't sure how it was going to go and spent a fair bit of time waiting for the hammer to drop in some way, but it was still a gut twister when it eventually came.
But, as this is a romance, I knew there'd be a journey back to happiness and I loved how that was done in a way which made perfect sense.
It's sweet and full of passion and I loved it.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 8, 2019
3.5 stars
As lovely as Brennan and Josh were, their story failed to touch me on a deeper level.
First of all, I've read stories like this before, so there was nothing new here.
Second of all, I feel I no longer enjoy stories where the characters have to hide who they are because they are afraid of what their friends or their (religious) parents would think. It's even worse when the church gets involved.
Not only did Brennan and Josh have to come to terms with who they were and the feelings they had for each other, they had to deal with all of the above, as well.
As lovely as Brennan and Josh were, their story failed to touch me on a deeper level.
First of all, I've read stories like this before, so there was nothing new here.
Second of all, I feel I no longer enjoy stories where the characters have to hide who they are because they are afraid of what their friends or their (religious) parents would think. It's even worse when the church gets involved.
Not only did Brennan and Josh have to come to terms with who they were and the feelings they had for each other, they had to deal with all of the above, as well.
July 7, 2019
DNF at 67%
I don’t think YA/NA books where nothing really happens besides the two boys’ teen angst are for me anymore.
I know not that much has to happen in a book, but here I felt like nothing happened. We had Brennan, who was an okay character, but not that special. And we had Josh, who was actually a lot like Brennan.
Josh struggled with his family and their religious beliefs and Brennan struggled with being adopted in his teens and was afraid his family would send him away.
Now that actually sounds quite interesting, but I never connected with Josh because we only got his diary entries on occasion, and Brennan was just a bit of a bland character all around.
When these guys finally get together I was so done with this book that I decided to quit.
I’ve felt this way before with Christina Lee books, so I guess we simply don’t mesh very well.
I don’t think YA/NA books where nothing really happens besides the two boys’ teen angst are for me anymore.
I know not that much has to happen in a book, but here I felt like nothing happened. We had Brennan, who was an okay character, but not that special. And we had Josh, who was actually a lot like Brennan.
Josh struggled with his family and their religious beliefs and Brennan struggled with being adopted in his teens and was afraid his family would send him away.
Now that actually sounds quite interesting, but I never connected with Josh because we only got his diary entries on occasion, and Brennan was just a bit of a bland character all around.
When these guys finally get together I was so done with this book that I decided to quit.
I’ve felt this way before with Christina Lee books, so I guess we simply don’t mesh very well.
August 9, 2019
*2.5 stars*
I'm sorry...I was just so bored. So repetitive and uneventful and slow. I'm definitely the odd man out.
I'm sorry...I was just so bored. So repetitive and uneventful and slow. I'm definitely the odd man out.
July 6, 2019
A Breath Apart by Christina Lee is a lovely coming of age story of Brennan, who grew up in the foster care system and just wants to belong, be a part of a family and Josh, whose family is extremely religious and unyielding. The two had a connection from their childhood whom unbeknownst to both- neither has forgotten.
Home on break from college for the summer, Josh impulsively asks Brennan to help him coach his dad's junior baseball team. And just as spontaneously Brennan agrees. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings of fear, confusion turn to self-acceptance and hope.
Some of my favorite parts:
-Josh's diary entries.
-I could feel the butterflies in their stomach when they would see or be near each other.
-Slow burn
-Friends to lovers
-Brennan's family. They showed that no family is perfect, we all go through ups and downs, but in the end, they were there for each other.
-Abbey, Sydney, and Charlie. They reminded of the upcoming generation who are open-hearted and accepting.
-And the end was a romantic and strong HFN. A Breath Apart is New Adult, so an HFN felt appropriate and realistic but I've no doubt Josh and Brennan are each other's, soul mates.
A Breath Apart is a heartfelt story of self-acceptance, family, friendships, hope, and love. I could feel the emotion behind the words.
4.5 Stars
P.S. I hope asshole Todd gets a book.
September 11, 2019
Te tiene que gustar el YA para disfrutar el libro, pero ellos son tan, tan, monos. Adorable.
February 9, 2026
A Breath Apart by Christina Lee
MC:Josh and Brennan 4.5⭐
Tropes & tags
Friends to Lovers
Slow burn
Coming of age/Self-discovery
Hurt/comfort
First love / first time
Virgin MCs
Found family
Sports (baseball)
Emotional, character-driven romance
Dear Diary entries
Mutual pining
Secret sketch book
First of all, that cover completely won me over — absolutely beautiful. It feels exactly like Josh and Brennan: soft, delicate, and quietly emotional, making it the perfect visual match for their story.
This was such a tender, heartfelt read. The story feels painfully real — the confusion, fear, longing, and hope all come through raw and honest, never over-polished or overly dramatic. Watching their coming-out journeys, those shy, adorable first times, and the way they discover both love and their sexuality together was genuinely moving. There’s a strong sense of first-love nostalgia here, that intense, all-consuming feeling of finding yourself through another person.
The slow burn hurts in the best possible way — all the yearning, the almosts, the restraint — making every step forward feel earned. The intimacy is soft and gentle, less about heat and more about connection, trust, and emotional safety. I also really loved how Josh helps Brennan with his body insecurities, the way he worships him and makes him feel perfect and beautiful. That meant a lot to me.
And don’t think that just because this story is emotional and soft, it isn’t also desperate, hot, and sexy when it comes to sex — because it is. What makes it even better is how they go slow, experimenting and discovering everything at their own rhythm, always focusing on what feels right for them.
I also really appreciated how the book handles the weight of family expectations, religious guilt, and pressure, all of which felt deeply relatable and grounded. It’s very much a character-driven story; you grow attached to Brennan and Josh as people, not just as a couple.
Despite the angst, there’s a real comfort factor to this book. It’s quiet, emotional, hopeful, and affirming — the kind of sincerity that doesn’t shout, but still manages to wreck you in the best way.
⚠️Content Warnings
No official list provided by the author — based on my own reading:
Homophobic slurs
Body image and weight insecurities
Religious and family conflict related to sexual orientation
Mention of a recent miscarriage (Brennan’s adoptive mother)
Abandonment issues (main character was in foster care before being adopted)
Mention of biological mother’s death from overdose
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Sharing: No
Other Person Drama:No
Third-Act Breakup: Temporary
Role Dynamics: Strict roles (only one scene)
POV: 3rd person (single > Brennan) - at the end of each chapter and diary entries from Josh.
Format: Standalone
Ending: HFN
Angst Level:Medium
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
MC:Josh and Brennan 4.5⭐
“Dear Diary:
Is this what it feels like to fall for someone?
Like this tender spot in your stomach from all the trembling and a deep ache in your chest from all the daydreaming?
Oh God, I think I’m in trouble.”
Tropes & tags
Friends to Lovers
Slow burn
Coming of age/Self-discovery
Hurt/comfort
First love / first time
Virgin MCs
Found family
Sports (baseball)
Emotional, character-driven romance
Dear Diary entries
Mutual pining
Secret sketch book
First of all, that cover completely won me over — absolutely beautiful. It feels exactly like Josh and Brennan: soft, delicate, and quietly emotional, making it the perfect visual match for their story.
This was such a tender, heartfelt read. The story feels painfully real — the confusion, fear, longing, and hope all come through raw and honest, never over-polished or overly dramatic. Watching their coming-out journeys, those shy, adorable first times, and the way they discover both love and their sexuality together was genuinely moving. There’s a strong sense of first-love nostalgia here, that intense, all-consuming feeling of finding yourself through another person.
The slow burn hurts in the best possible way — all the yearning, the almosts, the restraint — making every step forward feel earned. The intimacy is soft and gentle, less about heat and more about connection, trust, and emotional safety. I also really loved how Josh helps Brennan with his body insecurities, the way he worships him and makes him feel perfect and beautiful. That meant a lot to me.
And don’t think that just because this story is emotional and soft, it isn’t also desperate, hot, and sexy when it comes to sex — because it is. What makes it even better is how they go slow, experimenting and discovering everything at their own rhythm, always focusing on what feels right for them.
I also really appreciated how the book handles the weight of family expectations, religious guilt, and pressure, all of which felt deeply relatable and grounded. It’s very much a character-driven story; you grow attached to Brennan and Josh as people, not just as a couple.
Despite the angst, there’s a real comfort factor to this book. It’s quiet, emotional, hopeful, and affirming — the kind of sincerity that doesn’t shout, but still manages to wreck you in the best way.
“And maybe all our firsts will turn into all our forevers.”
⚠️Content Warnings
No official list provided by the author — based on my own reading:
Homophobic slurs
Body image and weight insecurities
Religious and family conflict related to sexual orientation
Mention of a recent miscarriage (Brennan’s adoptive mother)
Abandonment issues (main character was in foster care before being adopted)
Mention of biological mother’s death from overdose
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Sharing: No
Other Person Drama:No
Third-Act Breakup: Temporary
Role Dynamics: Strict roles (only one scene)
POV: 3rd person (single > Brennan) - at the end of each chapter and diary entries from Josh.
Format: Standalone
Ending: HFN
Angst Level:Medium
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual
Want to read
June 5, 2021Those are the guys from TikTok😲🙊
January 17, 2025
4.5⭐️
This is a beautiful acceptance of ones self story. These stories based around people coming out, and the fear and pain they go through, tossed in with the whole religious aspect always get me. I cry every single time. And I root for a HEA every single time, because people deserve to love and be loved in returned. This was great, it kicked me in the gut like I knew it would. Its only 4.5 because I needed more, and I needed it now. I wanted more of their HEA that would of been just the icing on top and a 5 star needs that (or Im just feeling like over to the top love for a book) But this, this is a sweet, awkward, emotional journey of two boys over a summer realizing their not alone in their feelings and explore what it might mean to be who they were born to be. Loved it.
This is a beautiful acceptance of ones self story. These stories based around people coming out, and the fear and pain they go through, tossed in with the whole religious aspect always get me. I cry every single time. And I root for a HEA every single time, because people deserve to love and be loved in returned. This was great, it kicked me in the gut like I knew it would. Its only 4.5 because I needed more, and I needed it now. I wanted more of their HEA that would of been just the icing on top and a 5 star needs that (or Im just feeling like over to the top love for a book) But this, this is a sweet, awkward, emotional journey of two boys over a summer realizing their not alone in their feelings and explore what it might mean to be who they were born to be. Loved it.
July 10, 2019
Overall I enjoyed this story. I thought Brennan and Josh were the cutest and sweetest, they had great chemistry and such a strong love, and I really believed it and felt it coming off the page, which is a huge plus for me.
My only true gripe was how slow this was. It was hard to get past parts in this at first, not only because of the slow pace but also because sometimes this went quite a bit without real interaction between these two, and then there would be a small interaction but not enough. It took a little too long for my tastes to really get their relationship going. It took until 65% or so for them to even kiss - I was super surprised we even got a sex scene between these two (which, it was wonderful once it finally happened (in the epilogue). (Not to say there wasn't some smut before that, just...not penetrative sex, I should say.)
These two were great and amazing - although I didn't much care for the other characters? They were fine and all but I didn't care about them all that much either way, and at times when they were more the focus is got a little boring to read - but everything just happened at a snails pace, it felt like.
Also, the several times they were a "breath away" from kissing?! Got frustrating! I was like omg what the fuck! Kiss already! But it did happen eventually and the holding off did at times make the sexual tension all the better, I have to say. And once they finally kissed it was such a relief.
So overall this was pretty good, it had some interesting plot points outside the MC's (although they weren't explored too much in depth, so...) but Brennan and Josh are what made this book for me. They were great together, had amazing chemistry, and were really damn sweet together, and I loved the HEA they got (some might feel it a HFN, which is also fine.)
So I'd recommend this, and hey, maybe not everyone will find it as slow as I did at first. Two thumbs up fro me!
My only true gripe was how slow this was. It was hard to get past parts in this at first, not only because of the slow pace but also because sometimes this went quite a bit without real interaction between these two, and then there would be a small interaction but not enough. It took a little too long for my tastes to really get their relationship going. It took until 65% or so for them to even kiss - I was super surprised we even got a sex scene between these two (which, it was wonderful once it finally happened (in the epilogue). (Not to say there wasn't some smut before that, just...not penetrative sex, I should say.)
These two were great and amazing - although I didn't much care for the other characters? They were fine and all but I didn't care about them all that much either way, and at times when they were more the focus is got a little boring to read - but everything just happened at a snails pace, it felt like.
Also, the several times they were a "breath away" from kissing?! Got frustrating! I was like omg what the fuck! Kiss already! But it did happen eventually and the holding off did at times make the sexual tension all the better, I have to say. And once they finally kissed it was such a relief.
So overall this was pretty good, it had some interesting plot points outside the MC's (although they weren't explored too much in depth, so...) but Brennan and Josh are what made this book for me. They were great together, had amazing chemistry, and were really damn sweet together, and I loved the HEA they got (some might feel it a HFN, which is also fine.)
So I'd recommend this, and hey, maybe not everyone will find it as slow as I did at first. Two thumbs up fro me!
October 13, 2019
5 STARS ! A must read for anyone who loves an M/M romance. Here we have the beautiful writing of Christina Lee, and this book was acclaimed for the story and the awesome narration by Molly Ringwald. I didn't do the audio, but completely loved this tale.
We have two teens, senior, artistic Brennan, adopted son of the local Drive-in Theater folks, and Josh, a jock, one year older, a college freshman, who has extreme church-loving parents and he works at an ice cream shop for this summer. Josh asks Brennan to help him coach the kids baseball team for their summer break, and Brennan says yes, because he'll get to be close to Josh. Each boy secretly wants the other, but small towns don't abide that.
Brennan tells us his perspective, inner most thoughts and struggles though his POV. While in between, we get Josh's deep thoughts, conflicts with his religious teachings, and his awakenings of his true discovery, all from his nightly diary entries. It's a slow burn of romance, many talks and hanging out, for our guys getting to really know each other, and understand what is happening.
This is a wonderful tale of the realities of trying to grow in a small town.
Brennan doesn't want to risk losing his adopted parents, because they are his anchor and safe place from all of the foster homes he'd been in, so he keeps to himself. Josh already knows that if he was to admit his attraction and needs, his folks would disown him, and not pay for his college. The future is at stake for both of our sweet guys.
Neither guy comes out til much later, to each other, and then slowly begin to explore their desires. Later on, several things happen to culminate our tale, with secrets revealed (adult and teen) and understanding resolved. We also get their first sexy time, very hot, very satisfying.
This is a marvelous book, totally worth reading and I recommend it highly.
E N J O Y !
======
Thank you sweet Bo, because your review helped me choose this one. :)
======
We have two teens, senior, artistic Brennan, adopted son of the local Drive-in Theater folks, and Josh, a jock, one year older, a college freshman, who has extreme church-loving parents and he works at an ice cream shop for this summer. Josh asks Brennan to help him coach the kids baseball team for their summer break, and Brennan says yes, because he'll get to be close to Josh. Each boy secretly wants the other, but small towns don't abide that.
Brennan tells us his perspective, inner most thoughts and struggles though his POV. While in between, we get Josh's deep thoughts, conflicts with his religious teachings, and his awakenings of his true discovery, all from his nightly diary entries. It's a slow burn of romance, many talks and hanging out, for our guys getting to really know each other, and understand what is happening.
This is a wonderful tale of the realities of trying to grow in a small town.
Brennan doesn't want to risk losing his adopted parents, because they are his anchor and safe place from all of the foster homes he'd been in, so he keeps to himself. Josh already knows that if he was to admit his attraction and needs, his folks would disown him, and not pay for his college. The future is at stake for both of our sweet guys.
Neither guy comes out til much later, to each other, and then slowly begin to explore their desires. Later on, several things happen to culminate our tale, with secrets revealed (adult and teen) and understanding resolved. We also get their first sexy time, very hot, very satisfying.
This is a marvelous book, totally worth reading and I recommend it highly.
E N J O Y !
======
Thank you sweet Bo, because your review helped me choose this one. :)
======
Read
July 3, 2019💙💙💙A BREATH APART is LIVE!💙💙💙
Amazon (KU): https://amzn.to/2FPbNNj
Universal Link: mybook.to/ABreathApart
#collegeagevirgins #slowburn #sweetandswoony
Amazon (KU): https://amzn.to/2FPbNNj
Universal Link: mybook.to/ABreathApart
#collegeagevirgins #slowburn #sweetandswoony
July 7, 2019
*3.5 stars*
Very sweet coming-of-age story. I'm not sure I enjoy these strories that much any more. As if figuring out your sexuality is not hard enough... My heart breaks when these boys had to go through possibly been rejected by parents, friends and church. That's not how Love is supposed to be!!!
Thankfully it was getting better for them in a few months but I hate they were traumatised by it any way. No one should be ashamed of who they are.
Need something sappy now.
July 7, 2019
A Breath Apart was such a lovely, heart wrenching coming-of-age love story. Boy, did Josh and Brennan ever tug at my heart! Being along on their journey of self-discovery was something special.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance between two young men just starting to learn about themselves and come to terms with who they were. It wasn’t an easy road, with Brennan concerned with how his adoptive family would react, and Josh having to deal with his ultra-religious parents. But you can’t choose who you love, and seeing Brennan and Josh fall in love and come into their own made my heart so happy.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance between two young men just starting to learn about themselves and come to terms with who they were. It wasn’t an easy road, with Brennan concerned with how his adoptive family would react, and Josh having to deal with his ultra-religious parents. But you can’t choose who you love, and seeing Brennan and Josh fall in love and come into their own made my heart so happy.
September 4, 2020
4.5 stars
August 14, 2019
Sweet innocent young romance! 🥰
July 9, 2019
Christina Lee writes the sweetest characters. Josh Daly and Brennan Fischer are super, super sweet.
Ah first love! Isn’t it grand?
A Breath Apart is mostly written from Brennan’s point of view. We find out about his family life and how his time as a foster child has shaped the man he’s becoming. He has his self doubt but then he’s so in tune with other people’s feelings and he’s protective too. I would love him to be my best friend.
Josh’s thoughts and feelings are shared through excerpts of his diary entries. Bless him! I feel the need to have a hard word with his parents. Being a parent is a privilege and an honour. All children deserve love and respect regardless.
I had a little cry and then I rallied. I’m so happy that Josh and Brennan found each other. That they helped each other. That they grew together. That they figured life out.
Ah first love! Isn’t it grand?
A Breath Apart is mostly written from Brennan’s point of view. We find out about his family life and how his time as a foster child has shaped the man he’s becoming. He has his self doubt but then he’s so in tune with other people’s feelings and he’s protective too. I would love him to be my best friend.
Josh’s thoughts and feelings are shared through excerpts of his diary entries. Bless him! I feel the need to have a hard word with his parents. Being a parent is a privilege and an honour. All children deserve love and respect regardless.
I had a little cry and then I rallied. I’m so happy that Josh and Brennan found each other. That they helped each other. That they grew together. That they figured life out.
April 7, 2020
3.5 Stars
Iggy Toma did a great job with the narration, and the story was good.
Iggy Toma did a great job with the narration, and the story was good.
July 21, 2022
3,5 ⭐
This was a heartbreaking, tender and beautiful book about finding yourself, confusing feelings, standing up for yourself and growing up.
I'm giving 3,5 stars to this book (it was more me, not the book case here). This book was more YA than I thought and not my usual read (even though we get some spicy scenes). It was way different than my usual reads, there were a lot of times where we were in the MCs head and I skipped pages because I wanted some dialog, action.
However, I think it's perfect for those who love high-school/first year in college books where the two MCs find more about themselves and their sexuality, tender moments, confusion, gradual exploration and finding a safe space and your forever. ❤️
This was a heartbreaking, tender and beautiful book about finding yourself, confusing feelings, standing up for yourself and growing up.
I'm giving 3,5 stars to this book (it was more me, not the book case here). This book was more YA than I thought and not my usual read (even though we get some spicy scenes). It was way different than my usual reads, there were a lot of times where we were in the MCs head and I skipped pages because I wanted some dialog, action.
However, I think it's perfect for those who love high-school/first year in college books where the two MCs find more about themselves and their sexuality, tender moments, confusion, gradual exploration and finding a safe space and your forever. ❤️
July 29, 2022
4.25 Stars
This was precious, so freaking wholesome, and adorably sweet 🥺🥰
First love, coming of age, sexuality discovery, some angst, slow burn, homophobia, religious trauma, friends to lovers. I loved Josh and Brennan's story and was rooting for them so hard! They are both dealing with some trauma and family struggles, but they are each other's safe space.
Highly, highly recommend especially for teenagers who need to see representation like this 💛
This was precious, so freaking wholesome, and adorably sweet 🥺🥰
First love, coming of age, sexuality discovery, some angst, slow burn, homophobia, religious trauma, friends to lovers. I loved Josh and Brennan's story and was rooting for them so hard! They are both dealing with some trauma and family struggles, but they are each other's safe space.
Highly, highly recommend especially for teenagers who need to see representation like this 💛
July 13, 2019
I freely admit I do seem to have some issues with Christina Lee and her stories. We never seem to be completely in sync and unfortunately that was also the case this time around. The writing was OK, the two main MC's were likeable enough, but this story has been told so many times before...there was nothing new in it for me 😕. It's a coming of age/coming out story with religious overtones where one family fully accepts their son for who he is and the other tries to make their son pray the gay away [whilst not playing by the rules themselves 🙁]...not gonna happen I'm afraid. 3.5 stars rounded up.
April 28, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This is more a character study than an adventure story, with little plot and a great deal of teenage angst as Brennan and Josh think about one another in every single chapter. When the moment of discovery comes, when the revelations and confessions make their appearance, it’s handled with the usual matter-of-factness on one side and the fist shaking anger on the other. It’s a slow read, taking it’s time, and for some people the leisurely pace and lack of anything really happening may not be to their taste, but here, I didn’t mind it. In the end, this book is what it is, a love story between two young men taking place in stolen moments over a summer.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
This is more a character study than an adventure story, with little plot and a great deal of teenage angst as Brennan and Josh think about one another in every single chapter. When the moment of discovery comes, when the revelations and confessions make their appearance, it’s handled with the usual matter-of-factness on one side and the fist shaking anger on the other. It’s a slow read, taking it’s time, and for some people the leisurely pace and lack of anything really happening may not be to their taste, but here, I didn’t mind it. In the end, this book is what it is, a love story between two young men taking place in stolen moments over a summer.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
July 8, 2019
I’m going to shut my eyes and pretend because that’s all I can do. Pretend that maybe, somehow, we can be more than a breath apart...
This is a beautiful story about innocent love between two young man who trying to understand the undeniable connection that grow between them, the struggle and obstacles they must face before finally have their HEA.
I love how the author writes the story, the slow burn and slow pace combined with the amazing writing had made this book totally engaging right from the beginning to the end and unputdownable. The story feels so pure and innocent at the same time with a bit of angsty that enough to squeeze your heart. The two main characters both so adorable, and I have an urge to hug both Josh and Brennan almost the entire reading.
A Breath Apart definitely a recommended read from Christina Lee.
*ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review*
January 4, 2024
A comming of age story...that I wish had a second book
July 16, 2019
A familiar young adult coming-out romance done well and with so much heart.
No big surprises here, but that’s okay. If you’re in the mood for an earnest story with just enough angst to provide contrast, this is lovely. Gay romance equivalent of a warm cup of sweet tea with a little slice of lemon.
No big surprises here, but that’s okay. If you’re in the mood for an earnest story with just enough angst to provide contrast, this is lovely. Gay romance equivalent of a warm cup of sweet tea with a little slice of lemon.
August 8, 2019
La historia es muy bonita y los MC un encanto, pero para mi gusto es un poco lenta de más y pasan muy pocas cosas por lo que resultó un pelín aburrido por momentos.
June 26, 2021
This was pretty decent. I love me a slow burn, so the steadily growing sexual tension between the MCs worked in the book's favour. On the other hand, I've decided that reading about bigoted, close minded people, especially ones close to catholic church, whose faith is actually the source of ignirance and hatred, has become frustrating for me. Maybe it's because of how conservative and close minded the church is in my own country and how much harm I believe it does. Either way, the story was a sweet and sad at times portrait of falling in love for the first time, of discovering and accepting one's sexuality, especially when faced with ignorance and bigotry and, ultimately, finding a place to belong.
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