Review: Breathe
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2012
When we lose someone, especially when their death is sudden, we often contemplate those what ifs, the regret we feel about how something we might have done or said may have changed things. Before we can truly grieve, we must first forgive ourselves for these real or imagined circumstances which may have changed things. In 'Breathe' by Sloan Parker, Lincoln McCaw and Jay Miller mourn for the same person, Jay's wife. Although they come at it from different angles, they both feel the self loathing and inability to move on because they don't think they deserve to be happy. Their grief isn't any more or less intense; no one is capable of understanding it better. Through this highly unlikely union, Jay and Lincoln are able to rediscover the good in themselves and through the eyes of love are able to help the other heal and move on.I adored Jay. He's such a kind, sweet person. He's someone who avoids conflict even at his own expense. Instead of supporting him and helping Jay move past his wife's seemingly senseless death, the people around him cling selfishly to their own grief making it virtually impossible for him not to do the same. Instead of being relieved, Jay's remorse festers and becomes worse, threatening to drain his life out of him as well. Jay's strength of character makes it possible for him to be able to dig deep for his true feelings and stand up for what's right for him while preserving the memory of his wife as well. I admired him for being unselfish enough to befriend Lincoln and help him see what they both need to realize, that even though her death was a tragedy, it also enabled Jay and Lincoln to heal and love again.Lincoln is a mess. Even though he's lost his life, his work, his partner, he still feels that he hasn't been punished enough. It takes falling in love with the husband of the woman he accidentally killed to see that he has to forgive himself and move on to the life that he and Jay are destined to have together.This is a very powerful story of forgiveness and new beginnings. Adding the mystery of the hate mail and death threats to the already intense story, made for one fantastic read. 'Breathe' has everything anyone could want from a story--love, passion, angst, mystery, suspense, forgiveness, and redemption. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a well written story with strong characters, twists and turns, and an amazing conclusion. Thanks Sloan for taking on such a deep, meaningful theme and portraying it with such grace and beauty.