Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Ten Tiny Breaths (The Ten Tiny Breaths, #1)

by K.A. Tucker

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.

Four years ago Kacey Cleary's life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend, and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend's lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, twenty-year-old Kacey and her fifteen-year-old sister, Livie, escape Grand Rapids, Michigan, to start over in Miami. Struggling to make ends meet, Kacey needs to figure out how to get by. But Kacey's not worried. She can handle anything-anything but her mysterious neighbour in apartment 1D.

Trent Emerson has smouldering blue eyes, deep dimples, and he perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey's guarded heart-even if it means that an explosive secret could shatter both their worlds.

Reviewed by inlibrisveritas on

4 of 5 stars

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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.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 April, 2013: Finished reading
  • 1 April, 2013: Reviewed