Ten Tiny Breaths is another rare book that truly brought some reaction out of me and when it was over all I could do was sit and think. It had my heart fluttering, swelling with joy, aching, and times it even broke. I read this in about 4 hours because I simply couldn’t bare to part with it for very long.

Kacey Cleary has had a difficult time after the car accident that took some of the most important people from her. She’s coped and stuffed all the pain away, all while hiding behind her shield and a frosty attitude. I love that she’s physically tough and can stand her ground if needed, but my heart hurt for her when she insisted on trying to use the same toughness to guard herself from possible happiness. Her transformation and growth over the course of the novel is gradual and a times painful, but wholly realistic and well written. Trent is the charming, sweet, sexy, and funny guy from next door; and I loved seeing him break down Kacey’s barriers. It’s obvious that he cares for her and the lengths he goes to to make sure she’s happy are great, even if some are a bit misguided. The side characters are just as lovely and most of them are incrediably supportive of Kacey. Though I have to say that little Mia is my favorite, she’s just so darn cute.

PTSD or Posttraumatic stress disorder is a biggie in this one and I think that Tucker did a great job at highlighting the disorder in a way that helps you understand a bit more. It’s a heavy topic and she handled it with care. She also highlights drunk driving and its effects on all parties involved, not just the victims…which quite frankly I never really thought about. I enjoy books that make me think, it proves to me that not only was it engaging but it gave me something new.

I believe this one will have a sequel/companion novel and I’m really excited about it. I’ve definitely got K.A. Tucker on my to-watch list.

This book does contain mature situations, so I do not recommend it for younger readers.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

kimbacaffeinate

Written on Feb 28, 2013

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker kept a little piece of me when I closed the book. The tale was powerful, tragic, heartbreaking, and romantic.

The tale begins four years after a horrific accident that took the lives of Kacey Cleary’s best friend, boyfriend and parents. As the sole survivor of the wreck, she has been plagued by nightmares. She and her fifteen year old sister have just arrived in Miami, Florida after escaping from their aunt’s house. Twenty-one year old Kacey has just enough money to set them up in small furnished apartment while she looks for work. The shabby little, Melrose inspired apartment complex is about to change this hardened woman’s life as her neighbors and one smexy neighbor in particular worm their way into her heart. Filled with touching moments, unspeakable secrets and hope this book kept me enthralled until the last page.

Kacey Cleary is one tough cookie, and about as fragile as one. She has this snaky, I don’t give a shit exterior and a jagged past as she spent the last four years in a drug and sex induced stopper to control the pain and lose she feels. Her love of her fifteen year old sister has changed all that and for once she is going to hold it all together as her guardian. Kacey really tears at your heartstrings, while making you laugh your ass of the in the next sentence. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing her out, sharing her fears and making her real for me. Livie her sister is sweet, and she really holds it together. Kacey and Livie befriend their next door neighbor single mother Storm and her five-year old daughter Mia. They had their own storyline that intertwined with Kacey’s giving this book almost a small town feel. Trent lives on the other side of Kacey’s apartment and boy howdy is he smexy. He is very sensitive to Kacey and her issues and I immediately felt a connection to him. Trent’s complicated, and seems perfect and you just want to bite him. He is a good guy but you sense his pain. There was no insta-love and in fact, very little smexy time but it was such a beautiful and touching romance. I laughed, I cried and ooh how I cheered them on.

Tucker really did a wonderful job of sharing Kacey’s turmoil, her post traumatic distress order and ultimately her road back to herself. The relationship between her and Trent was sweet and intense and yet this tale was so much more than a romance. It spoke of forgiveness, finding peace, faith and redemption. I refuse to give away any details but I had this ah-ha moment where the pieces clicked and I became frantic with my need to confirm. With twists and interesting subplots I was so caught up that time and reality slipped away. I laughed aloud, and silently cried and the next minute I was bursting with joy. I love when a book moves me and I literally checkout from the world around me. Tucker’s smooth writing style and expressive ability to capture raw emotions delighted me as a reader. The ending is one I am sure most will enjoy as it gives closure.
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
See more of my reviews @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Angie

Written on Feb 24, 2013

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

Ten Tiny Breaths turned out much differently than I was expecting. Well, actually I didn’t know what to expect at all, so it was a very pleasant surprise. I think there’s this misconception that all New Adults are generally the same and basically amount to hot college age people having lots of sex with a sprinkle of deeper issues. Well, this is not that. Kacey is holding on to a lot of anger. It’s totally understandable, if not the healthiest way to live. She’s packed up herself and her fifteen year old sister to move out on their own after some problems occur at their aunt and uncle’s home. Here’s where she can start over and build a better life, and possibly find love with the sexy neighbor.

Kacey is a tough girl to get to know. She keeps people more than arms length away at all times. Sometimes literally since she can’t even tolerate the idea of someone shaking her hand. She does kickboxing to relieve that pent-up anger, but she does nothing to rid herself of it and that causes major issues for her and those around her. Of course, Kacey doesn’t realize this until way too late. Kacey has never dealt with her grief after the accident that nearly took her life and stole away her loved ones.I really liked how the author presented PTSD. Often people associate it with soldiers coming back from war, but it happens to so many other people for a variety of reasons.

The most unexpected part of Ten Tiny Breaths was one of the settings: a strip club! When Storm first offers Kacey a job there, I worried it would be a cheesy gimmick to bring in more sex. I was super wrong! I felt like Kacey at first, a little weirded out about being in a place with so much nudity, but then we both relaxed and it mostly felt normal. It was just another setting, much like the apartment or the Everglades. It did bring in plenty of entertainment though, particularly Storm’s act. It’s also the setting for one of the more important scenes where we see how much help Kacey really needs.

Of course there’s a romance. A steamy one at that! Trent is beyond hot, but from the very moment I met him, I knew something was off. I felt like he tried a little too hard to win Kacey’s affection, and always seemed to be appearing out of nowhere. A few more chapters in and several clues later, I had my theory. At the end when all is revealed, I was right! This situation is beyond screwed up, but it all makes perfect sense, even if I can’t for a second understand what the heck is happening in that man’s brain.

Ten Tiny Breaths isn’t all gloom and doom though. There’s plenty of humor spread throughout, even if a lot of it is from Kacey to cover up her real feelings. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Storm and Ben. They each play an important role in helping to balance Kacey. While it didn’t blow me away, I still very much enjoyed Ten Tiny Breaths and look forward to more from this author!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

Kelly

Written on Dec 20, 2012

Reminded me of My Life Next Door, but without the likable characters. It started off with promise, but then it turned into a steamy romance instead, which felt out of context. By midway through, I already knew where the book was headed and ended up skimming the rest.
Sadly 2.5 Stars.