Review: Just Breathe...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 9, 2013
I loved this book.For me personally, there is just something so powerful about how Kristen Ashley's books make me feel and how they engage my emotions. The Colorado Mountain series, which "Breathe" is a part of, simply rocks. Her books pull me right in because I just have to know how everything is going to work out and how the characters I've grown to care about will find their way to their HEA.These characters aren't perfect (and they're not supposed to be) but they fight hard for what matters - partners, children, family and friends - in the face of so many wild and crazy challenges and conflicts, and they love deeply - which I love about them. They feel real on so many levels, like people you'd want to know.I don't know any perfect people who've never made bad choices or mistakes in 'real' life but I certainly know lots that are worth loving. I feel the same way about the characters she creates. I recently learned that some of KA's characters reflect or share some important traits with actual people she knows and loves so that resonates with me on a deeper level.I personally adored Faye and her quirky ways. I laughed often on this reading journey because I just couldn't help myself. I know what it's like to be going on about my favourite television shows with a passion (So great that KA gave props to "Firefly"!) and have people either laugh and accept it or look at me like I have ten heads. Hey, we love what we love, we are who we are, and it's all good!I enjoyed watching the romance unfold between Chace and Faye for so many reasons. I liked that she didn't play games, that she was smart, kind and had the hugest heart. I liked how gentle he was with her and how he thought she was cute, funny and sexy - so many great, intimate moments between them. I understood why he wanted to protect her from the darkness in his life even though he wasn't seeing everything clearly because he was burdened by guilt and pain and holding onto too much that he needed to release. Sometimes it's just too hard to do it all alone and it can cost us far too much when we hold on tightly to that belief. I don't want to give too much away but I have to say that Faye helps him to finally 'see' and this matters big time...There is a part in the book where Faye lets Chace know in no uncertain terms what she needs from him in their relationship and why. She's ready to put it all on the line even at the devastating cost of a broken heart. Just... wow. That is quite the scene. Faye may be a bit of a dreamer and lack experience in love relationships but this confrontation is an eye opener in terms of who this character really is. Her inner strength, intelligence and grace shines through. She knows how to love with the best of 'em and she's nobody's fool.Powerful stuff.So for what it's worth to anyone reading this review, I personally love the worlds KA creates and the characters that she breathes life into and I have often found myself moved to both laughter and tears while reading her books. I know I'll read "Breathe" again in future (and again... and again...) and I'll definitely go back to my favourite scenes for sure!