Breathe You In

Sweet Torment, Book 1

By: Joya Ryan

Narrated by: Cristina Panfilio

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

For years, Amy Underwood has been wracked by guilt over her sister’s fatal overdose. With one last shot at redemption, she is determined to open a drug treatment center - even if it means her shameful secret will be exposed. But when she sneaks into the biggest political event of the year in search of funding, she quickly discovers that in the world of fast-paced politics there is always a price - and this one could cost her everything.

Running for a second term, the young governor of New York, Roman Reese, finds that his privileged past and dark childhood could not only threaten the blue-collar vote - but his reputation and livelihood as a politician. So when he meets a sexy woman with big ambitions, he quickly strikes a deal: He’ll see that Amy’s clinic obtains funding, and she’ll play the down-to-earth girlfriend to help his electability. They’ll keep the relationship strictly business, scripted to the last detail, and end it when the polls close. But secrecy and desire have a way of binding hearts. As Election Day draws closer, so do Amy and Roman - until the discovery of one final deceit threatens to tear them apart for good.

©2014 Joya Ryan (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Joya Ryan just reached my instant download list

I only have like 5 authors (Cole, Ward, J. Ashley, K. Ashely and Frost)... Now I have 6!

Ryan's men are the best of the best! They are alpha male, dominating, smart as a whip, and Boy are my SMEXY!!! The female leads are a stroll in the park too! This is some of the best darn character development ever... Loved it... And the story revolving around the characters are just great... You already know who the next book is gonna be about... or rather... who the BETTER GET A BOOK!

The secondary characters are just a intriguing as the main ones... I just loved this..

Just think of Break Me Slowly on Political Juicy Juice!

Gov.Roman Reese!!! Wowza! I so want to vote for him... And Amy... loved her too! Now it's Amy's best friend and her boss, the Governor's head of public relations... OMG!

Either those two will hook up or they each need their own book... Can't wait till this entire series makes it to Audible... Instant Download...just can't go wrong...

Narration was good, this is a great buy, sale or credit!

Good Start To A Sexy Series

I'm so glad I took a chance on Breathe You In. When you meet Roman Reese right at the beginning, he is all-consuming and totally charming! Immediately, I got the feeling that the governor of New York has a dark side that is hidden so perfectly. He doesn't waste time pursuing Amy, and they enter into a “relationship”. He wants to be re-elected again, and Amy could be the right person to help his image. Oh, boy! So many times I just wanted Amy to back away from this deal, but Roman is such an alluring character. She also has her own agenda to fulfill.

I want to make it clear that this story is not BDSM. This is a steamy contemporary romance set against a political backdrop with a hero who has a dominating and controlling personality. Roman is hot and cold and always gets what he wants. Although I could anticipate certain things happening, I still found Breathe You In to be a page turner and well worth my time. I had to keep reading to find out why Roman was so tortured. As the story unfolds, both their stories broke my heart. This series is adequately named, because once you're sucked in, you'll be sweetly tormented until the very end.

Cristina Panfilio was great with the delivery of the story

Breathe You In Book 1 - I've Added 2 To Wish List

Amy is a woman on a mission. She is an advocate for those fighting substance abuse. Her drive is fired by her sister's memory. Her sister died of a drug overdose years earlier and Amy feels everyone blames her for it- including her parents. She is in New York, working [temporarily] within the community but is trying to fund raise and create a permanent nonprofit.

Roman is running for mayor of New York City. He is stunning and handsome and all the usual... As a single man running for office he needs the 'blue collar vote.' So, when he finds Amy - who has sneaked in - at a ritzy political event, he sees an opportunity.

A 'blue-collar' gal, doing something good for the community will be the perfect girlfriend. He lays out the deal: Amy's cause will be funded & Amy will act the doting girlfriend. [The usual deal for these romances.] No strings attached, no real feelings only acting as a couple in public - until his election day.

As these stories go… Amy begins to have feelings for Roman. He is guarded and refuses to give in. They are intimate on every level except he will not admit any feelings for her – quite the contrary.

While this is similar to a tale we have heard before, I felt it was unique because of the political spin. Several different things will complicate and challenge the "couple." I was really interested and did not want it to end. I've added book 2 to my wish list.

The narrator was very good. She was believable with every character that she performed. Listening to her gave another dimension to the book that you would not have if just reading.

I bought this when it was on sale for $3.95-that is a steal. The member price is under $8.00 so I'd advise buying and save your credit for a more expensive book.

Note strong language and mature themes

Thank you for reading my review, if you felt it was helpful in your decision-making please select yes immediately following this text.

DOORMAT

What would have made Breathe You In better?

The heroin could've had a SPINE! She was simple/weak/needy/desperate & a doormat.

Has Breathe You In turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Have you listened to any of Cristina Panfilio’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Her performance was great. I like her voice and depiction of the other characters. I could tell the other characters apart.

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

The other characters were okay. The Hero was a true Alpha Male..

Any additional comments?

I just couldn't get into the heroin, she was just way to weak and desperate, I get the goal was to save the Hero and she had some self-esteem issues but why make her such a weak character. Why not allow her to walk away from the relationship at least once when he told her he wanted nothing more but a physical relationship. She kept coming back for rejection. And needless to say all the internal dialog was driving me crazy. With all her alleged insight why in the heck was she so desperate when it was obvious she was absolutely no challenge just too needy. She was always doing the chasing.

I love this book!

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

Easy read. I was able to listen to this story 3 times and just fell in love with Roman.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Roman. So sexy

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

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

Hot for the Govenor

unbelievably cute and unexpected. couldn't stop

Roman and Amy are super hot together and help each other heal. it wasnt what i was expecting but I'm happy i got it. the chemistry between these two is hot

amazing

Would you listen to Breathe You In again? Why?

yes! amazing story! well performed! just an emotionaly charged piece of work!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breathe You In?

The part where i almost cried. which never happens upon reading a book. i hate spoilers im not telling.

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

her use of different voices. some amusing and some sexy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yeees deff

Any additional comments?

i found this book just by shopping around looking for my next listen. read other reader reviews. and there wasn't 1 not 1 bad review about any aspect of the book. that takes amazingness, dont you think?

Loved this book!

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

Yes.

Which character – as performed by Cristina Panfilio – was your favorite?

Amy

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not at first, but I couldn't' stop listening to it.

Any additional comments?

The story was good and the narration great. I really enjoyed this book.

Don't waste your money.

This is truly one of the worst books I have ever listened to. I couldn't even finish it and even though I bought it on sale I want my money back!

Ugh! Where is the h's spine?

2.5 Stars for me

An h without a backbone meets an H that is stalkerishly controlling and it turns her on? Really?

The author tries to explain, then rationalize his behavior but it just felt off to me. Add in so much head babble plus 30 seconds to nearly 5 minutes on tangents every time someone talks to someone else and the forward button became my best friend.

I liked the overall story and how it ended but it definitely wasn't a favorite for me.