Reason to Breathe

Breathing, Book 1

By: Rebecca Donovan

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Reason to Breathe is the first book in the million-copy bestselling Breathing Series.

“No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?”

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection - pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises, not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide.

Reason to Breathe is one girl’s story of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and her precarious grasp of hope.

©2013 Rebecca Donovan (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Couldn't stop...

I started listening to the audiobook without knowing what to really expect. I suddenly became overcome with the emotions of the young girl, Emma. I couldn't stop listening. I HAD to hear more! The emotions that even I felt were gut wrenching at points, optimistic in others but hopeful throughout the entire reading. On to book two in the series! Still hopeful!

Reason to breathe

Loved it. Will read more by Late Rudd. Important book for all who care about children.

Sweet Romance, good message, sad book

I loved the message; love and hope makes you stronger. I liked the romance between Evan and Emma. Instead of just living, she gave in to love. And Evan loved, protected, and accepted her before he even knew what she was going through. I did think the book was slow and some of the characters were annoying. However, I will be reading the next book. The cliffhanger ending was expected, but exciting/horrible! If you stories of people in horrible situations, and rising above it. This is your book!

Unforgettable Book

Where does Reason to Breathe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to probably hundreds of audiobooks over the years and I must honestly say that this one made the biggest impression on me for it's content and explicit, graphic details that are only appropriate for mature readers. I spent almost as much time crying as listening but still could not start the next book in the series quickly enough.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book is all about Emily/Emma but her friend Sarah and boyfriend Evan are also prominent in all three books. I cried over Emma throughout this book but liked her best of all.

What does Kate Rudd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kate Rudd made the characters come alive - not just Emma but also Sarah, Evan, Rachel, Jonathan, and even the despicable, cruel, sadistic Carol.

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

I cannot imagine even a remote possibility of this book ever being made into a movie.

Any additional comments?

I will remember this book for a long, long time.

It took me to memory lane.

Honestly the book was overall great. When I read this I felt every emotion! Even cried. If I had a English class I’d read it to them honestly. Can’t wait to read more of Rebecca Donovan’s books!

Wow!!!

This book had me at the beginning to the very end. There were some parts that were so hard to get through. You get so caught up in what's happening and have to remind yourself it's not you!

Great story,

The narration needed to flow better. At times it sounded as if she was reading it for the first time.and the words hung up. Other times her emotion was outstanding. The story was good however

Sad

These things should not happen. I felt afraid for Emma throughout the whole story. Scary!

Eh. I wasn't impressed

(Might be a slight spoiler)

I had some trouble distinguishing the voices-almost all of them sounded the same. The third book is even worse with this issue.

Teen romance, with some child abuse thrown in for interest. The main character makes you want to smack her with a reality stick. Every time someone asks if she's OK, she lies and says yes. There are people that love her that are willing to help, but as soon as you think she's going to get herself out of her mess, she lies, again, to the only people she loves. Super frustrating.

Really kept my interest.

The story and the narrative was very good for me, I get bored easily. The story kept me wanting to hear more all the way to the end. Thank you!