Ten Tiny BreathsAuthor: K.A. Tucker
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Published by: Atria Books
Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.
Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.
But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.
Alrighty, so the New Adult genre is one I don’t indulge in very often. The relationships in the NA books I have read often rubbed me the wrong way, so I usually try avoid them. Including Ten Tiny Breaths. I knew quite a few people who loved it, but I was still hesitant. So what made me decide to finally take the plunge with this book? I read the blurb for the third book. I won’t get into the specifics of it, but it really peaked my interest. Of course, I had to start with the first book, even though each book in the series revolves around different characters. That’s just the way I roll.
Anyway, I had some mixed feelings while reading Ten Tiny Breaths, but ultimately, I liked it. I was fairly confident where everything was leading to early on in the book, but that didn’t bother me at all. I found the PTSD aspect interesting and heartbreaking at times. The romance was a bit spotty for me though.
I loved Kasey from the very beginning. She’s a smart-ass with an inappropriate sense of humor, but I especially loved how bad-ass she was. Yes, she used a tough exterior to keep people away and had anger issues, but I totally connected with her. Except when Trent first came around. This is when the book started losing me. I hate when a girl who is obviously quick-witted suddenly turns into a mush brain from the sight of a hot guy. I get it that he was sexy as sin, but it was annoying how she couldn’t even form words or sentences in his presence. Why can’t a girl remain quick-witted and still be affected by a guy?
I also had issues with how she had barely spoken to Trent three times and shared one kiss, yet he supposedly touched her in a way no one else had, and got her over a certain issue she struggled with. Then Trent turned into a bit of a creeper by always being where she was, even her work. I’m sorry, but that would not turn me on, especially since she even said she knew nothing about him. At the same time, I could tell there was obviously more to it and understood his motives. But still, it was weird.
Okay, I know I said that I liked this book, but so far I’ve done a lot of complaining. But the first half of the book was like that for me – running hot and cold. However, the second half was great! I came to love Kasey again, and her interactions with Trent were much more enjoyable. It became a story that I felt invested in and couldn’t put down. I still felt a little ify about Trent, but I liked him a lot more by the end of the book.
Besides Kasey and Trent, there were a slew of other characters I liked. Livie is Kasey’s younger sister, who is sweet and polite. She’s basically Kasey’s opposite. I loved her though, especially when she got protective over her sister. Really, all of the characters were likeable; from Storm, the neighbor turned friend; to the guys at the strip club. Even the landlord and doctor. Having such a great set of characters is important to me, so that was a major plus.
Overall, Ten Tiny Breaths was on the more positive scale of NA for me, but I do hope the second and third book are even better.
I enjoyed this one, and need to read book two (which I bought on release day) since I have book three to review for March. While I felt differently towards the characters I am glad you enjoyed it.
NA titles can often be quite hit and miss for me, but I’ve heard so many great things about this one, so I can’t help but be curious. I dislike when a main character starts losing her true personality as soon as a guy is in the picture. I can see that frustrating me, but hopefully the romance won’t bother me for too long! I’m glad you had a much better experience with the second half. Lovely review, Christy. 🙂
Same here. It was a good one, but just had some of the elements that I try to avoid. But really, it was good, overall.
Meh… I still don’t want to read this even though I would like the PTSD part the creeper and the drama and all that is just too much for me. I really am not liking much NA these days. Glad you took the plunge. I think if book three pans out I will just read that. I have learned to not read series in order and I feel much more free!
Yeah, that’s why I tend to avoid the typical NA books. This one had some of those issues, but man, it was better than some I’ve read. There’s no way I could read books out of order like that.
I am glad that you gave this one a try and did enjoy it for the most part. I had a hard time with the second, but most everyone else enjoyed it. I hope you do too. 🙂
Yeah, I’m hearing a lot of mixed thoughts on the 2nd book. I’m still going to read it, though. I can’t skip books like that.
I enjoyed the third book more than this one, Christy. I thought it had more substance than TTB. Also, I skipped the second book and went straight to the third. Lol. I hope you’ll like it too. 🙂
That makes me happy to hear. I can’t skip the 2nd book … just … can’t.
naught Heidi, I read that about not reading books in order, shame on you! 😛
Actually, I am like you Christy and I have to read them in order, it really bothers me when I don’t even with the books centering on different characters each time.
I am sorry this one didn’t appeal to you more. I have this in my TBR as well and have seriously been debating starting it. I may hold off though until book three and see what you think about it then. 😉
Pfft .. Heidi’s a little cuckoo. lol
It bugs the hell out of me reading them out of order, and I can’t skip around. I like reading the 2nd, 3rd, or whatever number book and being able to ‘get’ little references of recognizes any and all characters from previous book.
Oh, I liked TTB, but just those certain things in the first half were … slightly groan worthy.
I’m also trying to get caught up in this series, and I’ve seen great reviews for the third book, so I think you might get your wish of the next books being even more impressive. I totally understand your annoyance with a witty character who turns to mush in front of a hot guy. That’s always grated on me in any NA/YA romance, and so has the whole creeper factor. Glad you were able to enjoy this in spite of those annoyances. Great review!
Thanks! Yeah, I think the odds of of liking the 3rd book more are pretty good.
I feel you about NA. It’s not just the relationships but sometimes the character themselves are so lost & would look for salvation in another broken and lost person. Just doesn’t make sense to me. When reading NA now, I lean more towards the funny ones, I avoid the angst ridden romantic kind.
Yup, I do like the angst sometimes, but to an extent. I totally pretty the fun ones though. like the Summer series by CJ Duggan.
I enjoyed this one too and I think it was the more emotional parts that won me over…as opposed to Trent. I really hope the second is better.
I’m on the fence about this one. YA & NA aren’t my favorite genres though I do dip into them occasionally. I might give it a go….someday. 🙂
Your issues were my issues with this one. Completely agree. For me, this series gets better as it goes, and I hope you’ll think so, too!
I really enjoyed Kasey as a main character, just totally damaged and badass. But you’re right, Trent did exhibit some creepy behaviour throughout the book, and just because he’s hot doesn’t mean it’s ok lol! I enjoyed this book, glad you did too.
“Why can’t a girl remain quick-witted and still be affected by a guy?”
YES! I couldn’t agree more Christy! I actually get snarkier and more dry-witted when in the presence of a good looking guy because I get nervous. When I get nervous, my mouth just runs of its own accord. To each her own I guess, but I’m glad you were a much bigger fan of the second half than you were of the first and the hot/cold nature of it evened out for you. I’ll be interested to see what you think of the next two!
I really liked Storm and Livie, they were my favorite characters. I predicted the ending to the book fairly quickly. I did enjoy it, was quiet emotional. The treatment felt a little unethical for me..but eh, it was good.
Hm… I am curious about this one and at least it sounded like a decent story. I still haven’t really jumped on the wagon to NA, but I know I’ve read it not knowing it was NA. So, hm… to do one on purpose? This one may not be the one I start, but it might be one I read down the road. Perhaps when you read the other books in this series and it *hopefully* is stronger for you.
I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now and seeing that it always gets positive reviews makes me want to read it soon. I agree that most of the time, the first half is quite slow or boring, but the next becomes amazing. Fab review!
*sighs* I hate it when girls say that the guy understands them like no one else and they have SUCH a connection…but they barely know each other and it’s not like he’s been her best friend for years. I want to get back to them in 15 years and see how they are together THEN, you know? I love the sound of PTSD, even though the love is spotty, like you said. I’m glad you enjoyed it despite the negatives! I haven’t tried too much NA, but I think I’ll give this a shot 🙂
Why is everyone so phhhhhttt 😛 about chemistry at first sight?!?! Man, everyone is so freakin’ jaded these days! Granted, I’ve been dumped on my ass pretty bad a couple of times by some grade A jerks BUT, I’ve had that one encounter where I met a guy and instantly, we just could not stop talking to each other. We, of all things, met in a bar one night and his friends were so freakin’ obnoxious. He was from out of town visiting. He ditched his friends and we went for coffee and we talked and talked and talked… It was freakin’ magic. No I wasn’t drunk, stoned or otherwise compromised 😀 Thing was, he went home the next day and I never saw him again. He did send me a letter once but that was it. But that night, it was so hard to say goodbye to what if…
I think I need to bop everyone on the head with a love arrow or something. Either that or just send wine to everyone *hiccup*
Don’t you just want to strangle me sometimes?!?!?! tee, hee… you’re probably going to hate the next book… I can’t wait to see what you think!!!!!!!
BTW – Diggin’ on the colors of the blog!!!!! Easier on the eyes than white 🙂
LOL! Oh, I have no problem with chemistry at first sight. If there wasn’t any of that, then I wouldn’t want a second look – haha. I just don’t like when the girl goes from witty to literally-can’t-talk just because the dude is hot. Like you said, you talked with that guy at the bar. Whereas Kasey barely formed any words in his presence the first half of the book. I love your story though! I’ve had a couple of those, but I know they still would’ve ended with me going all black widow on them. 😉
Wine is always welcome!
Is it? Good. I can never tell. I’m tired of playing with the look of the blog, so it’ll probably stay like this for awhile anyway.
I haven’t read this one yet, but have heard so much about it that I am really curious. Too bad that the romance was a bit of a disappointment for you, but I’m glad that you enjoyed the second half better. The cast of secondary characters sound great! I like how thorough your review was, and how you listed both what you didn’t like, as well as what you did like. Excellent Review Christy!