Only a Breath ApartBy:
Katie McGarry
Published:
Jan. 22, 2019
Publisher:
Tor Teen
Add to: Goodreads
Source: Purchased
Book Synopsis:
Bestselling author Katie McGarry’s trademark wrong-side-of-the-tracks romance is given a new twist in the gritty YA contemporary novel, Only a Breath Apart.
Jesse Lachlin is cursed.
So the town folklore says, but while Jesse’s had his fair share of tragedy, the only curse he believes is in his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year, Scarlett Copeland.
Scarlett Copeland is psychic.
Glory Gardner tells Scarlett she has hidden psychic abilities, but Scarlett thinks Glory is delusional. What is real is Scarlett’s father’s irrational fears, controlling attitude, and the dark secrets at home. Scarlett may have a way to escape, but there’s a hitch: she’ll have to rely on the one person she used to trust, the same boy who broke her heart, Jesse Lachlin.
Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings for each other. But as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…
My Thoughts:
Only a Breath Apart is a tender and angst filled love story about two broken teenagers. Both of them have secrets, and don't let people in. Jesse has a past that he doesn't talk about, and Scarlett comes from a broken home with an abusive and controlling father. Growing up, they were childhood best friends, and the single most important person in each other's lives. Jesse ended their friendship abruptly without explanation, and Scarlett was devastated.
After Jesse's grandmother dies, circumstances lead Scarlett and Jesse back in to one another's lives. Jesse believes his family is cursed, and the only way to keep the curse at bay is to stay on his family's land; the land that has been in his family for generations. Scarlett is desperate to lead her own life and escape the controlling clutches of her domineering father. Together they will support each other, and fall in love along the way. Will their love story have a happy ending, or is the Laclan Curse real?
I loved reading Only a Breath Apart. It was such a page turner. This love story really tugged on my emotions and melted my heart. The characterization of Jesse and Scarlett was excellent. Both characters came to life and jumped right off of the page with the talented Ms. McGarry's storytelling. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. My favorite was Glory, Jesse's distant cousin. She was a psychic fortuneteller, with a quirky personality, who was devoted to helping both Jesse and Scarlett.
Only a Breath Apart was an intense story filled with angst, and the very real and heartbreaking cycle of abuse. It wasn't sugarcoated, and there were no easy solutions. I appreciated the raw emotions that it provoked in me, because it meant that the author was really able to connect me to the story and its characters. I love that she also offered a message of hope; but it was a realistic message that also delivered encouragement and strength to readers who might be going through similar situations.
I loved reading Only a Breath Apart. It was such a page turner. This love story really tugged on my emotions and melted my heart. The characterization of Jesse and Scarlett was excellent. Both characters came to life and jumped right off of the page with the talented Ms. McGarry's storytelling. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. My favorite was Glory, Jesse's distant cousin. She was a psychic fortuneteller, with a quirky personality, who was devoted to helping both Jesse and Scarlett.
Only a Breath Apart was an intense story filled with angst, and the very real and heartbreaking cycle of abuse. It wasn't sugarcoated, and there were no easy solutions. I appreciated the raw emotions that it provoked in me, because it meant that the author was really able to connect me to the story and its characters. I love that she also offered a message of hope; but it was a realistic message that also delivered encouragement and strength to readers who might be going through similar situations.
About Katie McGarry:
KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.
I love reading stories about psychics. Count me in.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Yes, they're alway fun stories! Thanks for stopping by Sherry!
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