•  
    Rene GAINESVILLE, VA, United States 09-12-13
    Rene GAINESVILLE, VA, United States 09-12-13 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    23
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    268
    50
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Crazy addictive!"
    What about Kate Rudd’s performance did you like?

    Kate did an amazing job on this series!!! She portrayed each character as if if were different people reading the story. Great inflection and tone!!!


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Emotional roller coaster!!


    More Less
    5 of 6 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Lia Sutton, Australia 08-15-13
    Lia Sutton, Australia 08-15-13 Member Since 2009
    HELPFUL VOTES
    7355
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    946
    878
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    572
    31
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Surprisingly Good"

    This book is a YA listen which is not my usual choice. I thought I would give it a try as the book was recommended by a friend and the ratings it has recieved.
    I really enjoyed this book though it was tough to read in parts due to the abuse that Emma suffered at the hands of her Aunt.

    I felt that the author dealt with abuse in a fairly realistic way, though thankfully I have never suffered myself I have had friends who did.

    I know some people felt that either Emma herself or one of her friends should have said something but it's not that easy.
    Her aunt had her believing that she was so worthless & she also loved her cousin's & didn't want them to have to grow up without their parents as she had done.
    And her best friend Sara did try to tell but Emma threatened to use info on her to stop her from doing so.

    Evan was a great love interest, as he was new to the school he didn't have any experience with Emma's ways over the years. Often we have a girl who claims not to know how beautiful she is or why anyone would have any interest in her (which is very annoying IMO) but in this case because of the mental abuse she receives from her aunt it is believable. I love that he never gives up on her when trying to get to know her no matter how many times she rebuffs him.

    On the downside I did find myself skimming on occasion as the author got overly descriptive in parts, it felt a bit like she was trying to fill out the book which I didn't feel was necessary.
    I also never really understand why her aunt hated her soooo much & why she reacted in such a brutal way to her without any previous history of being violent, I could have done with a bit of back story on this. Also a bit more on George, did he know what was happening, if so did he not care or did he not want to believe it could happen.

    If you find after you have read a few chapters that you are enjoying this book as much as I did, I would recommend you have book 2 Barely Breathing at the ready as this ends on a bitch of a cliffhanger.
    Kate Rudd was outstanding in the delivery of the story.

    More Less
    15 of 21 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Sherry L. Wright Flower Mound, TX United States 12-10-17
    Sherry L. Wright Flower Mound, TX United States 12-10-17 Member Since 2014
    HELPFUL VOTES
    234
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    798
    83
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    11
    19
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Did Not Just Dislike It, Hate Though is Such a ..."

    This book was horrible from the beginning and most definitely the end, so disappointed with it. the only reason I even finished it was hoping for retribution in a good ending.... didn't happen.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    David sonora, CA, United States 11-03-15
    David sonora, CA, United States 11-03-15 Member Since 2003
    HELPFUL VOTES
    34
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    137
    5
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    2
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "What a waste of 14 hours!!"

    The first third of this book had my interest but then it just rambled into boring, irrelevant nothingness. I can't believe I wasted 14 hours of my time and an Audible credit on this worthless piece if drivel. Narration was good but that's about it.

    I highly recommend passing on this title.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    VL United States 05-08-15
    VL United States 05-08-15 Member Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    151
    19
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    53
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "I lost my heart in this book"

    This book effected me. I was just so heartsick for Emma. What an ending! I can't say too much without giving away the storyline but I really hate the ending because it just can't end like that. Gah! I really felt this story to my core and it moved me. It infuriated me to no end. The beast that is Carol just can't win! All I can say is thank goodness I already know there are two more books or I'd be fit to be tied!! Well well worth the credit. Highly recommend. The bond that Emma, Sara and Evan have was amazing. Well written and the narration was good. I must go start the next book NOW!

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Ezinwanyi Dallas, TX USA 05-06-14
    Ezinwanyi Dallas, TX USA 05-06-14 Member Since 2014
    HELPFUL VOTES
    587
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    824
    303
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    69
    3
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "A compelling story about secrets"

    I am so glad I kept going on this book. This is exactly why I don't DNF books. Once I got past the beginning, this book was gripping and so interesting.

    Emma Thomas had lived with her Uncle George and Aunt Carol since her father died in a car accident and her mother was a raging alcoholic. Emma was the star athlete at her school, exceling in soccer, basketball and track. She had an "A" grade point average, managed the school newspaper but her new home situation was less than ideal. For some unknown reason, her aunt Carol despised her and was abusive.
    So the perfect girl Emma, had a not-so-perfect secret that she had to keep everyone from finding out. So she kept everyone except best friend Sara at arms length.

    Sara also excelled at explaining away her bruises...until the new kid Evan Mathews began getting past her defenses. Evan took an interest in her, but he was also very observant. Emma knew that getting close to Evan would threaten the picture perfect image she created, but she couldn't stop the persistent Evan from getting her skin. Was her secret worth giving her first love? What was she willing to risk to be normal and happy?

    First of all, I will admit this book ended in a cliff hanger. So I had to buy book 2 audiobook immediately. There were a lot of questions that i didn't have answers to, but this book was such a gripping glimpse into the life of an abuse victim and the lies and fear.

    While I liked Emma, I loved Sara and Evan more. they were the real heroes in this story because I don't think there would be an Emma. Her home life had turned her into a shell. I didn't understand the root of the hate, so that is something I am hoping to find out in book 2. I am rooting so hard for Emma, but the silence is so powerful and her fear of retribution was definitely warranted. Sara and Evan were great support and I hope they give Emma the strength to break her silence.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Briana 03-04-14
    Briana 03-04-14
    HELPFUL VOTES
    12
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    18
    12
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "NO TEENS "I" KNOW..."
    Would you try another book from Rebecca Donovan and/or Kate Rudd?

    I would be willing to give them a second chance. Narration on this book was HORRIBLY OVERLY DRAMATIC and sappy. Reminded me of a BAD daytime drama.


    What do you think your next listen will be?

    Something from the "Best Seller" list. I find you can't go wrong with those


    How could the performance have been better?

    The narration could have been a LOT LESS dramatic. It was so dramatic, it was boring. She was trying waaaay too hard


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    Yes. It shines a spotlight on abuse as well as teen promiscuity and drinking


    Any additional comments?

    This could have been a good opener had the writer remained vigilant and focused on the tale of abuse in the home. Instead, she strayed into the ALWAYS OVERLY DRAMATIC, "LIFE SUCKS", "WOE IS ME", "MY HORMONES ARE RAGING" life of teens.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Carol D. 02-05-14
    Carol D. 02-05-14 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    82
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    488
    85
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    79
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Very depressing!"

    I wouldn't recommend this book to teens or adults. The story was full of contradictory messages and mixed signals. In the end (which I wish I hadn't read) this book is a real downer.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Msstang92 APO, AE, United States 01-25-14
    Msstang92 APO, AE, United States 01-25-14 Member Since 2009
    HELPFUL VOTES
    19
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    29
    15
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Can't wait to read next book"
    Would you consider the audio edition of Reason to Breathe to be better than the print version?

    Yes, because you get a real feel for the characters. When I read I imagine certain actors and actresses for each character but audio gives their roles more depth.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Sarah, she is a true friend. Whether she was giving on what to wear, on love or life she was always there...well almost always there for Emma.


    Which character – as performed by Kate Rudd – was your favorite?

    Jay he was such a lovable jerk, but whenever he spoke I knew it was him


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

    Life is for loving and living


    Any additional comments?

    Many serious topics were discussed. In the movie version this book would probably be rated a PG 13. Even though many of the topics are hard to discuss, they are too serious not to discuss with the youth of today. Abuse is real! Teacher, Counselors, and Doctors to name a few, are trained to observe the signs of abuse. The abusers have trained and honed the art of deception. The person being abused like Emma is often too afraid of life without the abuse.

    More Less
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    S Mandel S. Calgary, Alberta Canada 08-25-13
    S Mandel S. Calgary, Alberta Canada 08-25-13 Member Since 2012
    HELPFUL VOTES
    13
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    25
    23
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    3
    1
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "GREAT LISTEN. WOW"
    Would you consider the audio edition of Reason to Breathe to be better than the print version?

    I do love Audio books and this one was great.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    Love when Evan first meet Emma. The sparks start flying.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    The abuse from Carol made me so angry.


    More Less
    3 of 4 people found this review helpful