Breathe

Kristen Ashley

Book 4 in the series:Colorado Mountain

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troubled hero archetype

shy and nerdy librarian

romantic elements with suspense

community interactions in small towns

interpersonal relationships and dynamics

detailed and verbose prose

character growth and emotional depth

dark past and personal struggles

humor blended with romance

slow pacing progressing to drama

appealing to contemporary romance fans

references to tv shows and movies

'Breathe' by Kristen Ashley is a romance novel set in the Colorado Mountain series. The story follows the romance between Faye, a shy and nerdy librarian, and Chace, a cynical cop with a dark past. As they navigate their relationship, they also try to help a young boy named Malachi, facing challenges and obstacles along the way. The book is filled with references to popular TV shows and movies, showcasing the characters' geeky sides and adding humor to the storyline. The small-town setting of Carnal provides a warm and supportive backdrop for the characters as they deal with love, loss, and family dynamics.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Chace embodying the troubled hero archetype and Faye representing resilience and inner strength.

Writing/Prose:

The author's prose is characterized by a detailed and sometimes verbose style that blends humor with emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features intertwining romantic and suspense elements that explore character growth and address darker themes from the protagonists' pasts.

Setting:

The story is set in a small-town environment, providing a backdrop that enhances community interactions and personal relationships.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with slower initial moments giving way to heightened drama and tension as the story progresses.

Harker’s Wood was an unusual spread of trees in the Colorado Mountains. Unusual because it wasn’t simply conifer and aspen. For some reason that was likely akin to the reasons Old Man Harker did all t...

Notes:

The book features Faye, a shy town librarian who has had a crush on the local cop, Chace, for years.

Chace is dealing with the aftermath of his wife's murder and struggles with his dark past.

Faye is characterized as quirky, nerdy, and a huge sci-fi fan, connecting with themes from shows like Battlestar Galactica.

A key subplot involves Faye helping a young homeless boy, which adds emotional depth to the story.

Chace initially seems like an 'alphahole' but grows as a character throughout the novel, emphasizing redemption and healing through love.

The narrative explores themes of virginity, with Faye being a 29-year-old virgin until she meets Chace.

The writing includes a lot of pop culture references, which appeal to readers who identify with geeky fandoms.

The book has received mixed reviews; some readers love the emotional rollercoaster, while others find the length and detail excessive.

Breathe is part of a series and includes cameos from characters from other Kristen Ashley works, tying into a larger universe.

The epilogue has been described as convoluted and overly detailed, leading to some frustration among readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of sexual assault, abuse, and graphic descriptions related to crime.

Has Romance?

The romance between Faye and Chace is central to the story, developing from childhood crushes to a deep emotional connection.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

There's nothing like the first time . . .

In Carnal, Colorado, Faye Goodknight is the town's quiet, shy librarian. She may also be Carnal's last remaining virgin. For years, Faye has had a crush on Chace Keaton, but the gorgeous cop has always been unattainable. She's resigned to live contentedly with only her books for company-until Faye suddenly meets Chace alone in the woods . . .

Chace doesn't think he's the good guy everyone believes him to be. He's made a lot of choices he regrets, including denying his feelings for Faye. Through his choices, he's come to believe the pretty librarian is too good for him, but after their time in the woods, Chace realizes that she may be his last chance for redemption. Soon, their long simmering desires grow to a burning passion. Yet always casting a shadow over their happiness is Chace's dark past . . .

Ratings (14)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (24):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (3)

What can you read after
Breathe?

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