Breathe

Twisted Vines

by Isabel Jolie

Coming Back to Where You Started Is Not the Same as Coming Home.

He never should have let her go. His first love, his first everything.
The one the young doctor can’t forget.

Ten years later, David James knows she’s not the same girl he loved.
But he sees Kairi now with her haunted eyes – and he remembers.

Kairi Morrigan returned to Howell Mountain to hide and make a plan.
Once an international fugitive, she’s now a part of a secretive black ops team.
Her return home is temporary. A shelter without a paper trail.

She didn’t expect to see him. Nor did she expect the rush of emotion.
David’s caring and honest. He’s a good man, building a life that has no place for her.
She knows she shouldn’t but she hungers for his touch, to lose herself in him one more time.

She lost one great love to the people who betrayed her.
The one thing she won’t do is risk another person she loves.
The one thing she can never give him, or her enemy, is a second chance.

Breathe is a stand-alone romantic suspense novel. No cliffhangers, no prior interaction necessary. Includes a bisexual heroine in an M/F relationship. Breathe is set in both Napa and Santa Barbara, California, featuring steamy vineyard romance and love under the threat of an epic blackout.

Genres: Second Chance, Contemporary, Romance, Military Fiction, Suspense, LGBT, Romantic Suspense

276 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2022

About the author

Apple Books Contemporary Romance Bestselling Author of spicy thrillers where love always wins. Get free books + early access: https://isabeljoliebooks.com/#newsletter

Heart-pounding romance. Unforgettable heroes. Sizzling happily-ever-afters—with a side of suspense that'll keep you up way past bedtime.

I dreamed of being a writer as a kid but took the "safe" route: journalism degree, advertising career, MBA, corporate gigs at Chase and Universal. Then in 2020, I said screw it and published my first book. Twenty-five books later, I'm living the dream.

I'm also a mom to two teenage daughters who are perpetually mortified by my career choices. My husband's an entrepreneur whose latest product is Nampons (yes, it rhymes with tampons and yes, it's for nosebleeds). Between my spicy romance and his biz... we've cornered the market on parental embarrassment.

My books feature tough characters facing tougher choices, compelling suspense, and storylines that'll make you think. But no matter how dark things get, my people always choose love.

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Reviews

[Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3 stars to Breathe ★ ★ ★

➜ Small town second chances
➜ Reverse tortured heroine
➜ Bisexual female protagonist
➜ Scenic mountaintop vineyard
➜ Protagonists in their early thirties
➜ Wine County/Napa Valley setting
➜ Black ops cybercrime fighting crew

I'm very intimate with the fact that I'm not your typical reader that fits to the standard of customary reading order perfection. The romance reading shock and horror, I know. If it doesn't arrive with required reading instruction, I'll most definitely choose to my reading fancy, sequence be damned. If I have more than one book in an interconnected series of standalones in my e-library, I assiduously make it my mission to select which I'm drawn to. Which I gauge will give me the best reading experience for my very moment-to-moment Vaishali tastes. I was so generously gifted (signed!) paperbacks of both Crushed and Breathe by this wonderful writer of romance, and despite Breathe being second-in-series I was so very lured downstream by the idea of a wounded heroine (beautifully captured on her lonesome walk by the cover) who returns to her roots not quite the same as the loved-up teenage girl she'd been. So as it was, Breathe easily became my priority pick from the Twisted Vines series. A heartbreak later, no foreigner to death and danger, and with the gauntlet of grief now hers to claim, Kairi reconnects with what was once her mountaintop home where all that once mattered was her and a boy she loved. Kairi and her black ops team have made temporary base in her mother's vineyard, and although they've found provisional respite in hiding, there is no guaranteed safety in a world of cyberspace that hosts a network of criminality. She's now back home out of urgency rather than preference because there's no rest for the dark web superhighway. As such, her stay at Howell Mountain was supposed to be nothing more than a stop in a series of relocations that her life has now become. Kairi's not a happy woman, and it's so hard for her to breathe.

That's why I felt the tug towards Breathe. The utter gist of it felt like a weight I needed to understand. That, and I was thoroughly eager beaver for the double gain of an Isabel Jolie romance and an Isabel Jolie romance embodying a bisexual heroine. Nor did I entertain passing up Jolie's suspense experimentation with the Twisted Vines collection. With a scenic landscape, a small-town backdrop, a heroine with a story to tell from one love to another, and one that subsets one of my favourite romance sub-genres, I was in restful company. When I began reading though, a part of me wondered if I should have been a sensible reader and begun with Erik and Vivi's story instead. Not that both stories can't comfortably stand apart, but that Kairi and David's romance felt very indifferent and long-trying in a way that made it tough to be absorbed by was a difficulty I didn't expect to come by. With the type of story beheld, I found that the depth of connection needed to fully establish their lost love, their separation, their history and present-day developing reconnection didn't deliver with redolent affinity. Since the quality of this was more tonally sober due to risk level, the line of work with the Arrow Security gang and Kairi's emotional state, more tied-in bonds between characters would've made the essence of a second chance really thrive. I was disappointed that I found myself unenthused for the first three quarters of the romance. It made me sad. I thrive on that feeling of a rich history of two childhood sweethearts belied by the estrangedness of time apart and lives apart, the queerness of meeting anew but the bigger, more beautiful study of coming together again. It's a trope with a lot to give and a lot to gain, but I mostly felt as estranged from the romance as Kairi and David seemed to feel towards each other, and even that subtext of bigger feelings existing beneath their interactions didn't quite hold its weight.

Understandably, Kairi's still secretively stumbling through her grief in her quiet Kairi way; lost to herself, different and incredibly unsure how to process all that had happened. How to move forward from it, and she's more internalised than she likes to admit. She wasn't moving forward at all, so I understood her stance on playing into the role of distance and being the more resistant of the two. And even though I did, she still felt very hard to draw from as a protagonist - I felt like I was watching her more than feeling involved in her arc, even as I did want to find her receiving a healing love. As individual as her life is from David's, I'm not sure I felt her other than being this 'middle ground' Kairi, stuck between a rock and a rock and another hard place. Since she'd been through something painfully tragic, I was hoping she'd play part to a reconnection that would be painfully hopeful and full of love, and although it found a place there in the end, my experience didn't meet with that intimacy for a strong few quarters of their romance. Unfortunately, David couldn't quite save that for me either, and I didn't expect to feel so 'on pins and needles' with this story's hero. His behavioural reactions felt more questionable than otherwise, and despite him later being the more eager of the two to try again for a second chance, I surprised myself by disliking him. I had to keep checking in with to question different, but most importantly I didn't feel and share in his own experience. David clearly had a ways to go in working through his own confusion with their shared and unshared youth, but he could be inconsiderately self-absorbed, very dismissive of Kairi's feelings. It seemed to be a case of reliving his own part, without seeing or understanding his heroine's. Without having an ear for her own experience of their history, he seemed unable to see how what had happened between them wasn't his story alone, and thus her feelings would elude him. And while Kairi was more internalised, David wasn't a great communicator. Even through some leisurely moments of recall, he didn't have those moments of recalling her fondly, appreciatively or with any particular ounce of 'wow, she was amazing and I'm glad to have had her in my life.' They both typically seem to recall each other with the passing grace of every other interchangeable, drifting thought in mind.

I never knew where I really stood with either of the protagonists, and as narrators and romantic partners they weren’t typically reliable. Even though David expressed why he let her go all those years ago, the reasoning didn't quite measure up to me. He declared he did it it so Kairi could experience the world, but it felt like deflection and runaway; like he couldn't face the truth so refused to confront it. And this felt so contrary and cavalier to the David who never wanted to let Kairi go in the prologue. They never really resolve through those feelings. I gently bring in the point that the narrative confusion could have been curbed with stronger explanatory elements. I was confused more often than not, and the provided reasoning or lack thereof made it tricky to enjoy the developments comfortably. David seemed very in his head about David, and even though I struggled in connecting with them as a pair and as individuals, I felt that Kairi deserved better than that. Until I started to see different, I felt more in the grasp of Lara and Kairi's relationship, wanting to know more about them. But in terms of the relationship pacing, Breathe had a decent slow burn, albeit one that felt backwardly imperfect. The first bedroom scene did hit the page too quickly for me; next to the distance and difference they felt in proximity and with each other, the immediacy didn't feel right. With the dynamic as it stood, it felt senseless for that to happen when the chemistry was something antithetical to a proud burn. Of course, there was that sense of puzzlement and unresolvedness, but whatever chemistry was there that pushed them into each other in that moment, again I was hard pressed in feeling it. Just like I'd feel when they shared a scene together, and when they would thereafter say or do things with a sense of familiarity or gentle warmth, I'd have to pinch myself. But professedly, of the two of them I was perhaps more drawn to Kairi than her given hero.

The character reveals, personalities and developments nicely languish against the slower and more earnest quality of Breathe, which really compliments its tone. And with the slowness and sleepiness I felt from the wide open land of the vineyard settlement, unbothered by the gently stirring natures of the characters, it made for modest calm in comparison. The accompanying suspense was a nice pairing, and it felt like such a novelty to kick up a bit of risk and suspense within that small town paradigm. That was a nice blend. I would have appreciated more locational wandering and description, because if I'm good to get the vibe of wine country, I really want to feel it. In terms of side characters, Trevor was definitely a favourite, and when a certain housebreak takes place, I wanted the story to check in more with him and his recovery - perhaps a real scene that establishes more dialogue between him and Kairi considering her state of emotional despair when the dust barely settles. He's quite an encouraging character for Kairi and his safety suddenly became paramount to me, but I felt that the story too swiftly skips through the current state of people and their affairs. I also really loved Roland; he seems to be the only member of the supporting cast that Kairi actually seems to have a built a lovable connection with, and whenever he's in reach, she literally seems to bolt into his arms. I'm glad she has that.

There was also the theme of Kairi's sexuality status and how it was received and processed by the accompanying characters. I loved that she was the kind of woman who threw labels to the wind and loved in a way that was utterly new but right for her. She'd only ever been with two people, and she loved them both. One being David, and one being Lara. It was justifiable that David's character harboured unresolved confusion over that, but it did effectively become tiresome when, for whatever reason, he couldn't frame his mind around it. For David, it wasn't her sexuality that was problematic, it was the reflection pertaining to hearsay, surrounding belief and leading to him questioning their history. Kairi has to often proffer answers to questions he's continually baffled by. Some of his thought processes would make me pinch my brow, but I believe his restlessness really came from pride and insecurity. Still, a defiant part of me wished Kairi had been sexually experimentational for all it seemed to bother David when he'd led a more than active dating life himself. For Kairi, she was a practicer of hearts over parts and I loved that about her as much as I loved her lack of remorse over it. There are some introduced attitudes of biphobia, namely from a few of David's family members, but that definitely felt very true to life in respect to casually uninformed and harmful perspectives. David had a lot on his plate in his life, and he had some domestic responsibilities to manage; a mystery illness with his mother (the reason for his return to Howell Mountain), and then there's his spiteful, alcoholic-dependent older brother. One who's never been a role model sibling, son or general all-around decent human being. So let's hope Daniel might do some right and engage with some healing of his own (though no high hopes over here for that). But it could really go one way more than the other with an entitled brother. Poor David, but even a paediatric practitioner with a sensible disposition can be pushed too far.

I do prefer stories that are more character/relationship centric so I would have preferred stronger bonds sown for these small-town hopefuls. The intimacy needed felt like an absent piece of the puzzle. And while the dynamic didn't ring or rumble with resonance, it remains unchanged that any Isabel Jolie romance likely already has my name on it. Although the relationship wasn't fleshed out for full impact, I'm fully in the belief that all heroines need love, and that Breathe gave Kairi hers made me begin to see the beauty in where this new love might take her come the end. Returning back to her hometown was never meant to happen. You can have the best intentions to defy the odds and stay together but have no hand in how life unrolls your rolled-out fates. And instead of defying this odds, David and Kairi became them. Fourteen years later and they're nothing to the other except somebody they used to know and love. Their lives have since taken on a shape of their own. She's an operative to a super-secret cybercrime security squadron working on a classified high-priority government project and he's looking to dig in his professional roots as a paediatrician. It is indeed a story of lovers estranged to lovers once again. There's some suspense, a languishing build up, some imperfect love, a lot of history and some black ops danger that shakes up a quiet setting. Kairi and David's love story started like most; a promise of devotion and determination that their love would last forever. This hero once wanted his heroine to be his first, his only and his last. She was his first, she wasn't his only and in this small-town suspense where a second chance was never believed to happen, she certainly becomes his last. Because even though life happens, love can never seem to perish. And with some sweet and soft wisdom to remember, Breathe courts a gentle wisdom.


Content Warning: Biphobia (insults/offensive comments and cavalier prejudice). Sex scenes. Protagonist with Insomnia and PTSD. Alcoholic sibling. Mentions the incident of a side character drink driving. Some violence. Deaths/past death of a romantic partner. Shooting/injury. Some swearing.

EXTRA THOUGHTS:

1) There were more than a few inconsistencies both technical, practical and scene-wise which could be a bit disruptive. The writing was good, but it didn't feel tight enough to elicit a greater reading experience. There was also an earlier scene I think where David's name is replaced with Trevor's (which can be... confusing).

2) I had questions about Kairi's actual career. David once mentions that she didn't take her studies seriously (and he thus felt heavily responsible for her) but she ended up as a black ops operative instead. That's a major jump. In these cases more clarification would really help a reader out. I gleaned that David's the more academically inclined, and we get the feeling that he once saw her as someone not capable of applying herself, but then counters in another scene that 'he knew she was going places' - so again, these inconsistencies resulted in a lot of confusion on my part. And in large part, the storytelling is quite vague, and I came away always feeling as if a situation was incomplete.

3) After Trevor got hurt I so REALLY just wanted the story to follow up with him more than it did, but as mentioned in the main body of my review, I had to hear about his recovery vicariously or retrospectively. These moments without nurturing bonds tend to take away from the story.

4) Just to preview another point of confusion, Kairi and her team are sort of in hiding from a cybercrime criminal she and Erik once worked for. I think it's once said that Kairi's paranoid because of what had happened to them and what then resulted in a big grief for her, but in the way she's characterised she doesn't come off as someone who's overtly cautious of her situation. I think the story mentioned she has gained a bit of a history of paranoia and required some intense therapy to help her work through the event that took Lara away from her, but it's actually Erik out of their small ensemble that shows markers of paranoia. Kairi felt quite relaxed in comparison, and even seemed to trust others.

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[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m actually rating this 3.75 stars!

This story is about a bisexual woman who loved a man and it takes place in wine country. It is told from two POVs: Kairi and David. I felt like it was a good way to get into both of their heads. David’s thoughts on Kairi’s sexuality cracked me up. Is that really what guys think? The biphobia was enraging; a little frightening, actually. But it exists out in the world world and I can understand why the author included it. One of the things I enjoyed was that Kairi was unapologetically herself. There’s a lot of intrigue in this book! It almost felt like I was reading a season of that TV show 24. If you’re into high school sweethearts, second chance romance and romantic suspense, this is a great book for you! I received from the author a complimentary review copy and I leave this review voluntarily, without influence.

Favorite Line: He is warmth and security, my past in my future. I breathe love 💗

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon

Kairi knew there was a chance she'd run into her first love now that she's (temporarily) living back in her hometown. She's seen him a few times since they broke up, and things have been downright awkward each time. But this time it seems as if David is interested in re-engaging with her, which is strange and uncomfortable for Kairi. She can't possibly start something again with the man who broke her heart. She can't possibly start something when she's only in town temporarily. She can't possibly start something when it could place David in danger. Can she?



David thought at the time he let Kairi go that it was what was best for her, so that she'd get to experience all the places in the world that were on her wish list. But now that she's back in their hometown, he's starting to rethink his stupid decision from a decade ago. He's never gotten over her even though he knows she came out awhile ago. But even thinking Kairi prefers women hasn't deterred him from thinking about her, knowing she is the only woman he's ever loved. When she tells him perhaps they can be friends, he knows he wants more, will she ever be on the same page? Or is she truly over him?



I have to admit that this second chance took me quite awhile before I was on board with this couple. I didn't feel their connection for the majority of the story, nor did I particularly like either of them, especially David, until about the last quarter. David was annoying and the way he constantly questioned Kairi's sexual identity was a major turnoff. I know that he had questions, but really? His questioning was part of the reason I didn't like him for a long time, or feel a strong connection existed between them. Kairi too seemed practically indifferent at times, lukewarm at the best, when it came to a second chance. But slowly, like I said, in the last quarter, they gelled and I finally started to see them as a real couple and could finally see their connection. The suspense part was a bit thin this time around, not as suspenseful or action packed as in Crushed, but still an enjoyable and contemporary could be issue. By the end, I decided I liked this couple and was glad they got their second chance, even though it took them a long time to get there. I was really intrigued by one of Kairi's teammates, Trevor, and now am really excited for his and Stella's story, Savor.



ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.

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[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading “Crushed”, I knew I needed to know more about Kairi. She’s tough and no-nonsense, but she’s also so concerned with keeping the people important to her safe. As soon as I knew this was a second chance for her and David, I was on board. Because nothing makes my sappy heart go pitter-patter faster than a second chance. It took me a bit to fully warm up to David. He’s carrying a lot of misconceptions about who Kairi is and how their relationship ended, and that made him act out in some kind of jerk-like ways. Like Kairi, he’s got a lot of baggage he maybe isn’t dealing with in the best way, and I can see how all of that contributed to his less than stellar initial reactions. Learning the details of what Kairi’s been dealing with make me want to hug the stuffing out of her and hunt down every one of the bad guys that’s ever hurt her. Maybe it’s because I’ve become a highly suspicious person, but I wasn’t surprised by the identity of their villain. I was more surprised that none of the team was suspicious of them. I was also hoping for just a little bit more of the action and suspense of some of the previous books. I didn't feel the immediacy of the threat that I had gotten used to, and I missed it. However, I loved where this story leaves David and Kairi, and I can’t wait to find out what’s next for the newly-minted Arrow team.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance between Kairi and David. Once high school sweethearts, now ten years later the spark is still there. The author brings an intriguing story with some sizzling hot moments. She paints her scenes beautifully and moves the story fluidly. I was hooked from start to finish reading their story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Isabel Jolie for some time so I was thrilled to read a new series. When Kairi and David were young they had life by the tail. They were in love and planned to defy the odds until reality struck and one was pushed away. So much has changed in fourteen years: the building of careers, losses, and new outlooks on life. Yet their love has held strong. Will they fight for each other this time, or will fear and doubt tear them apart?

Unfortunately, I was not able to read the first book in the series, Crushed, so I was a little at a loss about what Kairi's job entailed. However, with patience and Ms. Jolie's careful and detailed character building I was fascinated with the subject of cybercrime and how secretive and stealthy it is. Kairi is a social engineer for Arrow Security which has lucrative and classified contracts with the government. She's not a hacker, but her role is to make friends online and gaslights them to find what she needs. After watching her partner, Lara, get murdered in front of her, Kairi has had a lot of therapy and raw emotions that she pushes down to work long hours tracking cyber terrorists including the person who was responsible for killing Lara. She and her crew move around a lot and have set up their new command center in her hometown where she runs into her childhood and college sweetheart, David. Their meetings are uncomfortable because of all their hurt feelings that come rushing back, but there is still a strong familiarity and chemistry they cannot deny.

David is a pediatrician now and is confused about his feelings toward Kairi. He loved her so much for years and he pushed Kairi away in college because he wanted her to experience the life she dreamed about instead of sacrificing her life for his long hours and absences as a med student. The way he sent her off was harsh and he regretted it all his life. Now that he has her back in his life he needs to fight for the only woman he has ever loved. But with her dangerous job and an uphill battle to win her over it's going to take all his love and ingenuity for a second chance.

David's ignorance about Kairi's bisexuality is a bit cringeworthy sometimes as he tries to wrap his mind around it while working out his own baggage. The thing is that Kairi has loved only two people in her life. She lost one of them and she is determined to not lose the other so she continues to push David away. Kairi is dealing with PTSD and staying up all hours to find a cyber-terrorist so she has little downtime. It's David that helps her relax as they give in to their passion and become closer than ever. David came back to his hometown to take care of his mother who is forgetting things and he's dealing with his alcoholic and angry brother who is spinning out of control. With Kairi by his side, he is not lonely anymore and he chooses to sacrifice anything to be with her. There are some close calls and uncertain outcomes, but all is well as these two young lovers finally choose love over fear. 

If you love a good second-chance romance with a bit of mystery, give this book a try. However, you may want to read the first book in the series to get up to speed on Kairi's story.

Thank you to Ms. Jolie for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Kaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful exploration of how love can be very complicated



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥

Breathe is a wonderful exploration of how love can be very complicated. Along with strong elements of mystery and suspense, Isabel Jolie took us on an emotionally engaging journey with David and Kairi.

David and Kairi were once high school sweethearts who thought that they would be each other's happily ever after forever. However, as most high school sweethearts do, they drifted apart, and Kairi fell in love with someone else, completely breaking David's heart in the process.

When Kairi witnessed the death of Lara -- her only other love than David -- in the most horrific way, she built an impenetrable fortress around her heart. Now she's back in her hometown, and so is David. Can David find a way to get through Kairi's heart of stone?

This was a tale of many layers. It was interesting to see how David and Kairi dealt with her bisexuality, and I am glad that it was carefully done so as to not have a David vs. Lara dichotomy. Rather, it focused more on Kairi's self-discovery and being honest with herself and the people she loves, including David. Jolie also did a phenomenal job in framing David's perspective to be a betrayal of friendship -- why couldn't Kairi trust him enough to be forthcoming after their history together?

This is not a slow-burn in the sense of steamy moments -- which are pretty hot -- but I find that it gave slow burn vibe for their emotional connection. There was a lot of history to address and a lot of trust to rebuild, and I love that we got to go on a journey with them as they work those out.

Just like Crushed, there is a secondary plot of Kairi's security crew tackling a national threat, and it is nicely interwoven into the main story.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Isabel Jolie and Grey's Promotions for providing an ARC. **

[Tannie🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC -David

I have to be honest, this is my second book of Isabel and I honestly was in the fence of the star review. I would honestly rate it a 3.5.
This is a second chance romance book, in which our FMC Kairi works for the goverment as a private contractor but her life has been on the line and she needs a place to hide and what better place than her mother's vineyard in the middle of nowhere.
Now, she didn't expect her former soulmate to be there, David. He was back in town, and so was she, but they never really expected to reconnect.
Everyone thought she was gay, and she never wanted to clarify nor really cared for gossip and his attraction towards her was stronger than even. He fell inlove with the kid, and was attracted to the woman she became to be.
He knew she moved on, with a woman, and he never thought he even had a chance... But her attraction towards him was there, and well... they fell into their own little bubble.
When he figured she was hiding something, he never pushed, and she eventually opened up. but not before seeing with his own eyes how he could've lost her.
She came out to him, officially, as bisexual, and he was curious but never with an ill intention.
She opened about her past, and how she wanted to move forward, but not before their love was tested.

This book has a good plot, but the writing seems to be lacking...i just felt it was flimsy. Now, her story hit close to home as I myself am bisexual, and I connected a lot with her... Especially how she described her feelings towards David and her only past lover.
I do have to say, it's a book that I would probably recommend with the prev warning. At times, I just lost interest and that to me, is sad as I have to push myself to read but if someone is looking to read a fast, second chance romance, with a good drama and mystery involved then this would be them.
Also, they BOTH need therapy, the reason why they broke up when they were kids pissed me off, but i get it, they were both kids and their communications skills weren't that well.

Tropes: Second chance romance, bisexual FMC, heroine in danger. Small town. Tragic past.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say, you should read these books, in order. It puts so much of what I read, in the other two books, in perspective. Nevertheless, they were all still very good and filled with mystery, suspense, excitement, friendship, and love.

This story revolves around, Kairi and David. It's how they take a second chance at the relationship, they let slip through their fingers, ten years ago. But, can it be that easy, especially with the profession that, Kairi has now chosen for herself? Not to mention what happened, to her with her last relationship with her, ex-Lara?

Then, there is the passive-aggressive attitude, David carries now because she went from, having a relationship with him, to having one with a woman. I can’t help, but think it's made twice as bad with the constant ribbing, by his washed-up, pro-baseball-playing, drunk brother. David has his questions, yes, and, Kairi gives him such cryptic answers, which only made his, err worse.

Kaira only wants a friendship. But, when he shows up at the old house, and, Wolf has to check his car, military base style. He carries a gun openly, and they are working feverishly, on computers coding. He knows this is much more than, working on servers, for clients. Especially, when he can see that, Kairi has stayed up for, twenty-four hours.

Let's just say, twenty questions begin. Kairi would not do good if a foreign country, took her wanting info. She starts to give just a little more, info but falls asleep. He is worried, now. He needs to talk to Wolf and Trevor, to see how he can help. He loves, Kairi too much, not to.

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kairi Morrigan and David James were supposed to be forever, but as that cheerleader told her before graduation couples don’t statistically stay together when they meet so young. Their paths did diverge but 10 years later they both find themselves back home in Howell Mountain, but for different reasons. Kare is trying to keep David at arms length or away completely because of the nature of her job and an impending attack. She’s lost someone she loved already and can’t bare to go through that again, but it’s like time has no meaning where here and David are involved and his nearness makes everything better. David realizes that he pushed her away before, but he’s willing to do anything to keep her in his arms this time around no matter how dangerous she deems it or where he has to follow.

Isabel Jolie wrote a perfect story about love, forgiveness, and second chances. I love this series because it’s such a well rounded story. First off, our heroine is bi-sexual, suffering from PTSD, but continues to work, and has only ever loved two people her entire life, one of whom she gets a second chance with. You get intrigue, suspense, romance, and David and Kare scorching the pages up! I love how once she let get, they fell into a comfortable rhythm as if no time had passed at all. There was d0u€he¥ Dan- David’s brother who was a belligerent, homophobic, misogynistic alcoholic, but in the end you pitied him, just a tiny bit. I’m excited for Trevor’s book and seeing the crew back in action.🤞🏽

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d wondered about Kairi’s story in Crushed. And now? Well, now I know that it held some misery, some heartbreak, and a lot of hope that she wasn’t expecting to find again. Especially not back in her hometown. But when she and David, her first everything, happen to run into each other, so many old feelings and hurts come rushing back. The only question is, can she and David make it for real? Or are they meant to only be the first love for each other?

David irked me a bit with his initial treatment of Kairi here. Sure, he came to the rescue, but his dismissal of her and all she is stung. He didn’t seem to care much about truth or what shaped her into who she is today until he realized that he had more than bitterness still haunting him. Which was laughable, considering he was the doom-bringer the first time around. Yet, even with that, I couldn’t truly dislike him. After all, he had things to work through and needed to come to terms with the truth.

Kairi, on the other hand, had her heart in her hand and didn’t hide that she thought she needed to save everyone she loved. And that included David. It’s a good thing her friends saw through her misguided sense of duty, because they all knew that she and David were truly meant to be.

Once the danger (or current danger) is past and all seems well, Trevor appears to get someone in his sights. So I’m sure we’ll be seeing more danger, more love, and will get some more answers and new questions soon enough!

[Laubooks.777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

hello!! FIRST Tysm! to Isabel Jolie and Greyspromo for an eARC copy of this book!

my rating: 4/5🌟
spice level: 1.7 - 2/5 🌶

WELL!! i loved this, SUCH interesting plot. Like, i knew it was a small town, second chance romance BUT adding mystery, in terms of secrecy. I don’t really know how to properly explain it, so read it for yourself cause this was an amazing experience.

CHARACTERS!! Kairi, our female main character, SO strong and so tough! even tho she’s really independent and also really loving (cares and protects love ones) i just want to give her a HUGE hug and protect HER!! NOW, our male main character, David. I think the best word to describe him is intense, in any way.

Loved the second chance but i have to admit that when he was really questioning Kairi’s sexuality I actually got mad sometimes. Overall really loved there relationship, this is the “it was always you” trope, they were made for each other.

if you like:
- romcom
- romantic suspense
- second chance romance
- it was always you
- lgbtqa+
this book is for you!

💌tags: 
#NewRelease #Bookish #isabeljolie #twistedvines #ContemporaryRomance #RomanticSuspense #LGBTQA #SecondChanceRomance #NeighborstoLovers #ChildhoodSweethearts #Vigilante #ReadNow

[Becky Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe is a wonderful read. If you read Crushed than you are up to speed on who the main players are. If not do not worry, you'll be fine reading this one as is. This is Kairi's story. I'm going to start off and just come out and say she is bisexual and has only loved 2 people. She is haunted by her past and is talented at what she does. Kairi's first love is David and he never got over her. You feel the pull from the start when they run into each other again. David is back in their hometown to help take care of his mom. he is a doctor who never got over Kairi. You feel the mystery that surrounds Kairi and her team. I love the support David has for what Kairi does even when he never fully gets the full picture. If you love small town, second chance romance all with that added danger and mystery then you are going to love this one. I love Kairi and her team so much. I cannot wait to watch the rest of them fall in the books to come as they try and take down who is after them. Go one click this one today and fall for Kairi and David.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kairi & David were once together planning a future with each other when things changed, and David really shot himself in the foot. Kairi has only loved two people in her life, and David was the first until he broke them & her heart in the process. She's had to make a homebase in her hometown, and David is back as well because of his mom. Could this be a time for second chances?! Well frankly, I wasn't a fan of David because of the way he treated Kairi despite the fact that I blamed him for them being apart, so someone needed to throat punch him because he couldn't get past something that didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Luckily for me, there's an element of suspense to distract me from David's behavior so that I didn't flip the hell out LOL! See, I'm the girl who doesn't put up with what David was dishing out because again, it was his fault in my eyes. To see if they actually face the past for a shot at a future together, you know what to do. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surviving Trauma
While they were in Asia Lara, Kairi’s girlfriend, was killed by an assassin and it left her with an overwhelming fear for loss of a loved one. Reacquainting with her high school sweetheart, David, brings it all back. But his love for her is still as strong as it was when they parted, ten years ago. Their worlds are far apart and Kairi is convinced she will only put him in jeopardy. But life has to be lived and does not give any guarantees. Even when he doesn’t know anything about her work and current life, David knows he wants to spend the rest with her. Anywhere, anyhow. This is so beautiful.
As terror strikes again, Kairi realizes he is right.
A group of wonderful characters, entangled in international cybercrime, hunted by a psychopath, and creating a oasis in the vines of Napa. An exciting and complex story with a heart warming romance. This one book is not enough, the whole series is a must!

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kairi and David were once each other’s world. Then they went their separate ways. Back in the same town they grew up in they have run into each other and their feelings for each other are still there. David is a pediatrician dealing with his moms failing health and brothers drinking and bad behavior. Kairi has lead a life of secrets and cloth and dagger. She has danger knocking on her door and for that she wants to keep David at arms length…but can she? Their connection and chemistry is off the charts but not knowing who to trust is not a good feeling. This was a intense well layered story with a lot going on. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and was entertained by the story. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Beth (what.beth.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Greys promo for the advanced reading copy of this book. Review below contains my own thoughts and opinions.

Breathe is the second novel in Jolie’s Twisted Vine series and I adored it! Kairi and David had such a well-deserved reunion. They grew up as neighbors and were each other’s first love. Kairi is back in town with her security company, and they are working on a dangerous, top-secret project.

Kairi is slow to trust and resists their growing relationship because of pain in her past, and fear of the future. Can they push through the barriers to find their happiness together?

CW/TW: In their time apart, Kairi realized that she was bisexual and the way people in their hometown are treating her and David is not very kind (but also, is likely realistic. And it’s David’s terrible brother who is the worst of them).

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance with some twists

Hold on tight as Breathe is something different from Isabel Jolie and it will take you on a ride that you need to be open to, otherwise you are not going to like it. If I am being honest there were a few things in the story that I was not prepared for fully, as reading FF or MM is not really my "thing". But the well crafted story also has a strong suspense filled line that keeps you wondering what is around the next corner, or turn of the page. Once again Isabel Jolie has delivered a well written and engaging book and explored some new territory as a writer, and taken her readers along with her.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Twisted Vines series (Vivi and Erik's world from Crushed), I really enjoyed this one. Isabel Jolie tells the story of Kairi and David, who were high school and college sweethearts, but broke up after college. 10 years later, they run into each other in their hometown, and the sparks begin to fly. Kairi works with Erik at the private security firm (which means there's always some mystery/suspense thrown in), so she's really just trying to stay under the radar, and doesn't want to get involved in a relationship, but David wants to go all in. Just truly a well-written story, as usual, by Isabel Jolie, and very hot and steamy! I would definitely recommend it.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book after the first one, and although I did enjoy it, I personally felt that alot of the suspense promised and expected after Crushed, was almost an after thought.
Don't get me wrong, it was there, it just wasn't as predominant or seemed as important as the rekindling of their relationship was.
Could just be the head space I'm in, or my preconceived expectations but it felt like every time the suspense picked up it got swept under the rug to focus back on them.
In saying all of this, I know many who will enjoy this book and I'm still looking forward to the next one, hopefully more of the mystery will be back then.

[Phyllis Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Once More

Isabel Jolie’s recent novel is a stand-alone romantic suspense that is so full of emotion that you can hardly breathe. David and Kairi, the main characters, were once in love but she broke his heart. Now years later he’s a doctor and she’s back as part of a black ops team on the run. They have a magnetic connection to each other but Kairi knows she needs to let David go for his own safety. This book is full of exciting adventure, mystery and romance that’s so riveting I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe by Isabel Jolie is book Two in the Twisted Vines Series. This is the story of Kairi and David.
David and Kari about 14 years ago where young and in love but David felt that he was holding her back from the travels she wanted to do. But they ended up breaking up. Now in their present day, Kari has a security cyber job that takes her to different locations. Right now she is trying to solve who killed her partner Lara. This book starts David and Kari journey back to each other along with a good mystery drama. Enjoyed

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

David and Kairi were each other’s first love until they went their separate ways, with her being haunted by the past, and him have never got over her. Now they cross paths again in their small town, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. This is a good story which has suspense, intrigue, romance, emotions, heartbreak, mystery, family, and friendships, which leads to an enjoyable page turner. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance read with David and Kairi. So many things have changed in their lives over the years but that pull is still there, still strong. The story has some good moments of suspense that keeps things on edge. It all works well, flows and I am loving the characters. I'm looking forward to the next read in this series.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Karen Lathbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kairi and David thought they would be together forever. After college Kairi had a wonderful opportunity in London and David pursuing being a doctor , he felt he would be keeping her from a dream so he let her go. Years later he moved back home to find Kairi is there and the chemistry between them is as strong as it was years ago. There is a lot of drama and Kairi is hiding things from David. Ms. Jolie gives us another page turning story. I am never disappointed in anything she writes.

[Edie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe by Isabel Jolie.

This is a second chance romance that is a must read. I loved that it was a bit of a reverse instead or the the male characters being the one working for Arrow Securiry. Like I said it is Davis and Kairi’s story and it is one to read for sure. It has a bit of everything . It has some loss and heartbreak. We get some intrigue and suspense. But most of all we get a live story that was worth it all and worth the read. A definite must read.

[Rae-Rae79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kairi and David, awe her first true love but went their separate ways in college. Now she is back in their hometown and they have crossed paths. David regrets letting her go and is trying to rekindle the feelings. For Kairi, she is determined to keep those she love from harms way and keeps trying to push him away. Can you overcome these fears and go for the second chance at love? This was an interesting ready but certain parts did not set well with me. Overall not a bad read

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Isabel Jolie; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She has written a good book. The story is about Kairi & David; ten years ago he let her go. Now she’s back but didn’t know he was there. She’s par of a secretive black ops team; she doesn’t want to get close to him because it will put him in danger.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

David and Kairi's story is a good second chance romance with a little bit of suspense and intrigue. I enjoyed their story. It's heartwarming to see how much they still love each other even after they've been apart for a decade. And their chemistry is still as present as ever and they can't deny their attraction even though Kairi is only home temporarily.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathe by Isabel Jolie is a good, and enjoyable steamy bisexual heroine second chance romantic suspense read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.