" /> 
Breathe Again by Sydney Logan
Release Date: July 22nd 2016 by Enchanted Publications
Pages: 150
Genres: Romance, Contemporary
From the bestselling author of Songbird comes a story that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of second chances.
Carrie Malone has seen enough heartbreak to last a lifetime.
Her family’s demons gave Carrie the courage to move away from home and leave her past behind. Now a college senior, she stays busy with her classes and her job at the diner. It may sound boring to some, but to Carrie, the very best thing about her new life is that every day is calm and blissfully uneventful.
That all changes the night Josh Bennett walks into her diner.
With his dirty designer suit and mud-caked shoes, Carrie’s not sure what to think about the broken man sitting at her counter. She’s even more confused when he doesn’t touch his coffee . . . and leaves his Rolex watch as a tip.
Josh Bennett has nothing to live for.
Starved for affection and deep in despair, he’s looking for a tender touch. A kind word. A giving heart.
A shattered and broken Josh finds himself standing on a city bridge, looking down into the freezing river that will undoubtedly bring an end to his pain.
He’s prepared to jump.
He’s prepared to die.
He’s not prepared for the pretty waitress who finds him there by the water’s edge.
When two lost souls find each other in the dark of the night, can they give each other a reason to breathe again?
Purchase: Kindle Unlimited
My Review:
Breathe Again is a story about second chances at live and love...
Having read other works by the author before, I couldn't wait to read Breathe Again. At the beginning of the story we get to meet Carrie Malone, a college senior who has been keeping her life busy between her work at the diner and at school. When a handsome stranger walks into the diner one night, living her his Rolex as a tip, Carrie doesn't know what to do. Without giving it much of a thought, Carrie goes on with her only to stumble upon the stranger at a bridge, ready to take his own life. In that moment, nothing else mattered, but to save him, without thinking that her life was about to change forever.
Josh Bennett may be wealthy and young, he could get anything at his beck-and-call, but not even money can cure him from the tragedy that he just suffered. Losing someone can be difficult, and Josh is not sure how to move on. With the intention of losing his own life, he walks to the bridge, only to be saved by the girl from the diner. Having both suffered tremendously in the past, they turn to each other for comfort. But soon things start to escalate between them and they began to wonder whether their feelings for each other are real or if it's just the pain that has been pulling them closer.
I absolutely loved reading this book, it was sweet and a total page-turner. The characters have their pasts that they're trying to get past from, but neither imagined how difficult it was going to be. Luckily they were able to find each other, but their growing chemistry and lust for one another is pulling them closer each time they're near each other. As a college student, Carrie worries constantly about her college loans and bills. She has a tiny apartment that she is proud of, and while she is struggling to get by, she doesn't want to go back to the life that she had at home. She is determined to make a name for herself, and move on from her past. Meanwhile, Josh is a young and attractive guy whose life spirals out of control after he gets married to someone he thought he loved. Now that things have drastically changed for him, he doesn't want to continue on living, until he meets Carrie. Together they go through ups and downs, but at the end of the day they have each other to turn to. The story had a nice flow that kept me reading non-stop. There were times when the characters would get me a bit frustrated, but at the end of it all it really came together very well. The ending will definitely leave you wanting for more, though it ended on a really nice note. The story as a whole was sweet and steamy, so if you're looking for a nice story about second chances at love then I would highly recommend reading this book. It will not disappoint. :)
***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
My Rating: 4.5/5
{EXCERPT}
You should’ve let Tony drive you home.
Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I quicken my pace. It’s just a few blocks between the diner and my apartment, but the cold air makes it feel like miles.
Flurries start to swirl, prompting me to walk a little faster. I’m just making my way across the Hart Street Bridge when something catches my eye.
A man’s standing next to the concrete barrier, looking down into the frigid water below.
I stop.
Without a backwards glance, he places one leg over the edge.
My heart pounds in my chest. “No!”
His head jerks up, and there, under the lights of the city, my eyes lock with the man who left his watch on my counter.
I’m paralyzed.
So is he.
Thank God.
People keep walking. Cars keep moving. But my eyes remain fixed on the man straddling the concrete barrier—the only thing that’s keeping him from plunging into the icy river below us. I don’t know his name. I don’t know why he’s dressed like a beggar, and I certainly don’t know why he left his Rolex on my counter.
But in this moment, none of that matters.
I make sure the street is clear before walking across, keeping my movements slow as I approach him. The last thing I want to do is freak him out. For now, one leg is still on this side of the barrier, giving me hope that maybe he doesn’t really want to die tonight. Needing the support it provides, I hold onto the cold concrete and pray I say the right thing.
“What are you—”
“Leave me alone, Carrie.”
The fact that he’s coherent enough to remember my name gives me even more hope. But his voice . . . it’s raw and tinged with so much sadness that it nearly breaks my heart.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s none of your business. Go away.”
“No.”
His eyes flash with anger.
“Screw you.”
“Don’t jump and maybe I’ll let you.”
It’s a ridiculous thing to say, but I’m desperate. He’d never survive the fall, and I already have enough guilt in my heart to last a lifetime. I don’t need this on my conscience, too.
The man blinks rapidly, as if he’s trying to comprehend what I said.
“Tempting, but trust me. I’m not worth saving.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Believe it,” he whispers. “Please, Carrie. Just . . . go.”
I shake my head and take a step closer.
Keep him talking.
“I don’t even know your name. You know mine. That’s not fair.”
He looks surprised. “You don’t recognize me?”
“Should I?”
“Wow. That’s . . . refreshing, actually.”
I glance around. Surely someone has noticed us and called the cops by now. But I don’t hear sirens, so I keep talking, hoping the man will come to his senses.
I offer him my hand. “My name is Carrie Malone. What’s yours?”
“Josh Bennett.”
The name sounds vaguely familiar.
“Nice to meet you, Josh. Now, would you please place both legs on this side of the barrier before I have a heart attack?”
Josh looks down into the river.
“Please? Let me call your family.”
It’s the wrong thing to say.
“My family’s dead, which is exactly what I should be. What I want to be.”
Sydney Logan Bio:Sydney Logan is the bestselling author of seven novels. She has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. A lover of music, she fills her playlist with everyone from Johnny Cash to Eminem.
Sydney holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and spends her days surrounded by kids and books. A native of East Tennessee, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.
Visit her online at www.sydneylogan.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
I love reading your comments, so don't be afraid to leave me a comment below:D