BREATHLESS
by Rose J. Bell
Publisher: Self-Published (Sept 30, 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: eBook (Novel Length)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
Some truths can leave you breathless…
Two years ago Ree Coleman’s life imploded, when her life was taken away from her. Now Ree is a “living dead girl”, trying to survive each day, when it’s just a struggle to breathe.
After the unexpected death of her father, Ree and her family lose everything. As they are forced to leave the rich Upper East Side, they find themselves living in the slums of Bronx. Ree must figure out ways for her family to get by, and she tries to accept her father’s death. However, his death prompts many questions, including what really happened to him.
Meanwhile she meets Logan Marquez, a boy with a dangerous reputation. Knowing that boys are dangerous, Ree tries to stay away from him, but Logan insists on trying to earn her trust and friendship.
Soon, dark and dangerous secrets are revealed, and one explosive secret will shatter both their worlds.
Due to heavy subject matter, graphic scenes and sexual content this book is intended for mature readers.
At A Glance
I enjoyed Breathless a lot in the beginning, but as it went on, I found a lot of stuff unrealistic and melodramatic.
The Good
I was drawn in right away by Breathless. Ree’s story is simply heartbreaking. This girl cannot catch a break. She was kidnapped and tortured for months. Now trying to get over her horrible experience, her father unexpectedly dies and she, her mother, and her little brother are forced to live in a crappy apartment with Ree as the sole financial supporter. And things get even worse for her from there. Yup, you heard right, things actually get WORSE for her.
No one can read this book and not want to cry for Ree. She had a great life until the day Psycho kidnapped her. From then on, nothing goes right. She goes through what all of us fear. She has almost no support system. I just couldn’t imagine how this girl got up every day and actually lived her life. But she did, and I truly admired her for her strength. But Logan was the one who really kept Ree together. I think, for Ree, Logan was the thing missing in her life without her even knowing it.
Logan is a loner. He has his own demons and a past he rather forget. He’s a great guy though. He’s tough but also gentle. He has a heart made out of gold. Logan befriends Ree even with all her baggage and attitude. He sees a girl who needs a friend. But I don’t think he ever expected Ree to help him right back. They were there for each other when no one else was.
I really liked the array of side characters. Some where horribly fantastic and others were so sweet and understanding. I also liked the suspense and slow building of mystery. Some stuff I figured out and some stuff left me shocked. I’m happy I read this one.
The Bad
The dialogue wasn’t always fluid and it seemed unnatural at times. The grammatical errors where abundant enough to really annoy me.
What bothered me the most was how melodramatic this story was. All the horrible stuff that keeps happening to Ree was TOO MUCH. I felt like I was watching a soap opera. The drama was never-ending. And a lot of what happened was unrealistic. The ending most of all. This is a spoiler: Everyone grilled into Ree that calling the cops and getting certain bad guys arrested wouldn’t make a difference, and how it would actually make things worse because others would come and kill her for “snitching.” But that’s pretty much how everything was resolved in the end. It made no sense.
The Snuggly
Logan and Ree were a cute couple. I liked how both of them had problems to overcome and attitudes to get checked. They were not perfect, and they let each other be who they were.
Be prepared for rape and abuse scenes. Recommended for a new adult audience and up.
Final Thoughts
Breathless was far from perfect. I wish it stayed the consistent awesomeness of the beginning, but I do think it’s worth the read. Logan and Ree’s friendship alone makes this book worth a gander. Recommended.
“When you’re broken, you can see when another person is broken too.”
“I love each one of your scars. And do you know why? Because they’re a part of you, Ree.”
“I want to fulfill you. I want you inside and out. I want to breathe you. I want to live you. I want to hear your smile, knowing that I made you laugh. I want to be your friend. I want to be the boy you fall in love with. I want to be worth your time and trust. I want everything with you. And most of all- I want to be worth your love.”
“How quickly my life has changed. I thought that life would be better for me after Psycho, but I was wrong. How could I believe that I deserved a better life? I’m destined to suffer.”
“Men break hearts. A real man puts the pieces together and would hold your heart like a diamond in his hand.”
Don’t forget to enter Rose Bell’s Giveaway. The prizes include 5 ebooks of Breathless (Mobi) and a $15 iTunes Gift Card. Also Breathless will be available for 0.99 cent until October 11th.
Brandi Kosiner
Sounds emotional and like I would really connect with Ree
Jennifer Bielman
Ree is so awesome. I want to be her friend.
Ashley
Daaaaw. I saw this post in my email this morning and had a bit of an awesome moment because I made that blog tour banner! 😀 Cool stuff.
Bummer that the book got too melodramatic towards the end, especially because it sounds like it had a very strong beginning! I’m glad you still kind of enjoyed it though. 🙂 Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
hahaha, awesome. you know what? I actually thought, “that looks like something Ashley would makes.” It’s all in the font.
Elisa
Wow, I usually like it when two broken people find each other, but this one sounds really super heavy! It is like when a character has had a really bad day in a comedy movie, walks in the door at home to relax and even the dog pees on them, except this is all serious. hmmm. Now I want to watch an over the top comedy. Seriously, the way my mind works these days scares me.
Jennifer Bielman
hahaha, you got me laughing with your random thoughts.
This is very heavy. Be prepared to be sad.
kimbacaffeinate
While the suspense and mystery peaked my interest, the drama does not. Bummer Jennifer:)
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, waaaaaay drama filled. This one is not for you.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
I have to admit, just reading the description, I thought “this is too much; it’s over the top.” Good review; you did well in pointing out the strengths and weaknesses.
Jennifer Bielman
You nailed it right on the head with just the blurb.
Jaclyn Canada
Certainly not my type of read, but I’m glad that Ree was a character that you could really get behind and root for. Logan sounds like a wonderful match for her too so I’m sure the romance was a great read there. I think all the things that go wrong would just be too much for me and the sadness as well. Wonderful review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
I think you would be so depressed after this book. But there is such cute romance though it does soften things a bit.
Giselle
Oh wow O_O Kidnapping stories are always so hard to read but I love it. I love to see someone pull through that and the mental ramifications of it all it’s kind of disturbing but fascinating at the same time. And Ree sounds like she’s having an incredibly rough time, geez! Anyways this is definitely my type of read!
Jennifer Bielman
Kidnapping reads are hard for me too but if done right they can be amazing.
Berls
What a bummer! It’s so frustrating when books get off to an awesome start and then fall apart. I like intense reads, but there’s a difference between intense and melodramatic. I have a feeling this one isn’t for me. Great review though!
Jennifer Bielman
It’s both intense and melodramatic. lol. In the beginning it’s intense for sure.
Chene Sterckx
Awe so sorry to hear this book didn’t pan out or keep momentum. It sucks when a book has so much potential and then just falls flat.
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
Jennifer Bielman
I know. It sucks big time.