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.

Living the Emotion

While this story is difficult to hear at times, knowing that while it's fiction, it really is someone true story, it was so compelling. I found myself really connecting to the characters, rooting them on, talking to them as the story went on, barely being able to contain my desire to want to enter the story and save that girl.

The author did an amazing job at character development. And Kate Rudd.. well that woman brings every story she narrates alive. She is by far my favorite narrator.

Worth the purchase

Would you consider the audio edition of Reason to Breathe to be better than the print version?

Yes, but only due to the narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

Different concept. Emma's tenacity.

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

Emma

Any additional comments?

This book wasn't perfect, but was worth the purchase. Book 2 (Barely Breathing) was long and drawn out, I probably wouldn't have finished reading the book version. Book 3 (Out of Breath) is a don't waste your money book. Reads like a soap opera.

Too unbelievable

Even though it was fiction, there were too many instances of abuse where she remained silent. After awhile it got to a point that it was too unbelievable. Several times I almost gave up completing the book. The performance was good but not enough for me to read a sequel.

Friendship...love...abuse...hope

Narrator: Kate Rudd gave a solo performance. Her execution of all the characters was good. I enjoyed her performance of Emma’s voice. Her tone was excellent it was everything I’d imagine her voice sounding like. However, I wasn’t swept away by Evan’s voice. I would’ve preferred a male narrator to perform his voice giving it a masculine tone. I didn’t think Kate distinguished the differences in her female characters voices. They all sort of sounded the same. I did enjoy the way Kate performed this story giving pause when necessary. I could tell she cared about these characters and the story. Her narration wasn’t just read it was performed with skill. The sound quality was excellent with no outside disturbances. I found no errors in the performance.

Story: Emma was in good spirits despite the turmoil of her living situation. School was her safe haven. It’s where she had control of her life. Emma didn’t allow the brokenness to control her she was determined to survive. She tried to live a normal high school life with a brave face. Emma guarded her friends from the turmoil she experienced living with her aunt and uncle. This balance kept me glued to the pages. The unexpectedness of the turmoil happening at home was enough to make me cringe, cry, and hope for something better.

Overall: There were some controversial choices made. I had many questions regarding Emma’s life with her aunt and uncle. Too many statements didn’t make sense to me. Emma’s reasoning and her excuses seemed plausible, yet I couldn’t shake the unease I felt with these choices. She seemed to handle the situation with a blasé attitude which bothered me. I liked how she could push aside the comments and focus on the long term goals, yet I found her to be in denial about the long term effects of the abuse.

For me I struggled with the number of times Emma had an excuse to swipe away someone’s inappropriate behavior. This is where the controversy stemmed from. It’s hard not to be disappointed in the way Emma chose to deal with uncomfortable inappropriate situations. I understand it’s her youthfulness and lack of experience in these types of situations, but it wasn’t as if she didn’t have the resources available to her. Plenty of concerned people were aware of her situation, yet she fought against it.

I’m so conflicted, Emma is strong yet weak. Love gave her strength when her excuses gave her weakness. Another controversial topic.

Her friendship with Evan was concerning for me as well. The constant push-pull toyed with my emotions too many times to count. Emma came across as immature. For a smart and intelligent girl her knowledgeable skills were reserved for books. Emma was an exhausting character with her intensity and complicated home life.

This was a revisit with an audiobook whispersync to my ebook. This story has lingered on my mind since the day I read it back in 2014. It seems only the abuse stuck in my mind. I forgot so many tender moments between Emma and Evan.

Reason to Breathe: Breathing, Book 1

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This story had so many repetitive descriptions. I mean how often can one person's face flush? This is like reading about Bella and Edward's relationship in Twilight, only there is far less to this plot.

I realize that when it comes to abusive relationships things don't have to "make sense," but come on! Sure Emma had a twisted perspective from years of abuse, but neither Evan or Sarah ever realized Emma's illogical reasoning for staying in that situation. Neither thought to even try to give her a reasonable alternative? No one ever considered that the abuser could easily choose to victimize the very people Emma said she was trying to protect?

Sadly, like the Twilight series, I will likely listen to the next book in hope of getting some closure. I'm a sad romantic...

Buy it.

This book was not from my usual genre, but I loved it. It read using more then one character reader, I found it hard to put down. It was a bit steamy at times but nothing inappropriate. I will be looking for other books from this Author.

Solid Young Adult story

Any additional comments?

I was pleasantly surprised in how well written this book was. The struggling heroine wins you over with her tenacity and emotional strength while the rest of the characters add sparks of playfulness throughout Emma's journey. I have to admit that Carol's character was a bit unrealistic in a way at times but not enough to ruin the plot.

Amazing. Captivating. Perfect.

Rollercoaster from start to finish. A MUST READ. So easy to fall in love with the characters and genuinely care about their story.

not what expected

Was great throughout but then the end happened. Hated the ending .. why?? Never again

Up and down

I reread this book. It is amazingly heartbreaking and heartwarming. It builds you up and breaks you. Her home life is so sad and her sacrifice for her dad as well. 16+ There is almost sex, but interrupted. A lot of abuse.