Effortlessly Reading

ARC Book Review: Ten Tiny Breaths – K.A. Tucker


tentinyTen Tiny Breaths
Author: K.A. Tucker
Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Atria Books

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Summary:

Just breathe, Kacey. Ten tiny breaths. Seize them. Feel them. Love them.
Four years ago Kacey Cleary’s life imploded when her car was hit by a drunk driver, killing her parents, boyfriend and best friend. Still haunted by memories of being trapped inside, holding her boyfriend’s lifeless hand and listening to her mother take her last breath, Kacey wants to leave her past behind. Armed with two bus tickets, twenty year old Kacey and her fifteen year old sister Livie escape Grand Rapids, Michigan to start over in Miami. With little money and even less food, Kacey needs to figure out how to get by. But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle anything – anything but her mysterious neighbor in apartment 1D.
Trent Emerson has smoldering blue eyes, deep dimples, and perfectly skates that irresistible line between nice guy and bad boy. Hardened by her tragic past, Kacey is determined to keep everyone at a distance, but their mutual attraction is undeniable and Trent is determined to find a way into Kacey’s guarded heart – even if it means that an explosive secret could shatter both their worlds.

 
First Sentence: “Just breathe,” my mom would say.

I received an eARC through NetGalley. Thank you!

My Review:

I’ll admit it – when I first started Ten Tiny Breaths, I was prepared to be not at all impressed with the book. Why? Well, hyped-up books had burned me more than once and with the huge hype surrounding Ten Tiny Breaths, I suspected I would not be impressed by a hyped-up book, again.

I was dead wrong.

Ten Tiny Breaths was intense, powerful, and one addicting ride.

I’m used to having things under control. I fight to stay numb. That’s how I get through each day and it’s worked well for me. Until now. Now Trent has edged into my life and I can’t focus. (ARC 76)

I could not put Ten Tiny Breaths down, even though I was supposed to be studying for my final. Ten Tiny Breaths was 100% gripping and addicting, with perfect little snippets of humor to bring some comic relief. I wanted to learn more about Kacey’s story, what she had to go through, and how she dealt with it all. I wanted to find out what the “explosive secret [that] could shatter both [Kacey and Trent’s] worlds” was. I simply wanted more.

The instant attraction between Kacey and Trent was a setback; it was a bit unbelievable to me. When Kacey first met Trent, she completely froze up and became an idiot instead of the headstrong, furious girl we saw in the beginning. After her first conversation with Trent, all Kacey could mostly think about was Trent and his blue eyes and dimples. She barely even knew him. It didn’t really sit well with me, although I was happy that Kacey could somewhat easily trust Trent and let him into her life.

He stops what he’s doing to glance over his shoulder, blazing eyes leveling me with a look that makes me want to do things to him, for him, with him. His attention drags down the length of my body, unashamed. This guy is a contradiction. One second sweet, the next second brazen. A mind-blowing hot contradiction. (ARC 21, 22)

I saw the ultimate twist that the summary hinted at coming from a mile away. However, to my shock, I still cried when the big reveal happened, even though I was completely prepared for what was to come. It’s amazing that K.A. Tucker could do that, getting me so invested with the characters that I hurt for them even though I was expecting it to happen.

And Trent. He is such a conflicting character to me.

[MILD] SPOILER: I still can’t decide what to feel about Trent. What he did was twisted and disgusting, but at the same time, I can understand why he did the thing he did. But still, so many things could have not worked out! Why would he do that, just why? (You don’t have to answer the question, I know why, but that doesn’t make it any better, does it?)

I was somewhat surprised to learn that Ten Tiny Breaths had really mature content, even though I know that it’s a new adult book. Ten Tiny Breaths talked about sex (and, of course, there are several sex scenes in the book) and erections. It took some getting used to because most new adult books I’ve read smooths over the sex scenes and doesn’t talk about erections.

Am I going to check out the next book in the series, One Tiny Lie? Highly likely. The synopsis has me intrigued and the fact that it’s told from Livie’s point of view is a huge plus. (Also, who is this Ashton?) Do I recommend Ten Tiny Breaths? Definitely. If the cover can’t convince you to read it, then let me tell you this: The hype isn’t lying. For once.

threepointfive

-Kelly

Speak Your Mind

  3. I’m really interested in reading this novel, even more after reading your review. I’ve also been let down by books that have a great hype revolving around them but some have really lived up to it. The thing that I was most afraid of in Ten Tiny Breaths is that, there are many novels about life after a life-changing accident. But it seems that this novel is something special. Furthermore I’m looking forward to reading a new adult novel, since I’ve never read one before! :)

    Rachel @ Books to Consider

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  4. I felt the same way about the hype of this one and the beginning was ok for me but once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down. It was a little predictable for me but I loved the emotion in the book. Books that make me feel are always the best! Thanks for your thoughts! I’m glad you loved it too!

    Reply

  5. I’ve heard that this is an outstanding book and I’ve been wanting to read it for a while, but a little wary about the hype. But your review has convinced me to read the book :D.

    That’s something that really annoys me, but is in a lot of books. I just get really annoyed when a strong character becomes somebody completely different when they see the guy/girl of their dreams. I just don’t like it.
    Great review :D
    Kimberly recently posted…Review: Once Every Never by Lesley LivingstonMy Profile

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  6. I’m still not completely persuaded when it comes to NA.. I still have the idea that it’s nothing for me, but this book does sound better than most other NA’s I’ve seen. It’s great when a book surprises you when you expect it to be ‘okay’

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  7. I am so in love with this cover and the synopsis for this book and your review only made me want to read it even more. I love intense books when they are really well written. Thank you for your review!

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  8. WOWWW I need to read this book ASAP *-*
    IT sounds sooo good! Ten Tiny Breaths has been on my TBR list for a long time, your review just made me want to read it even more. XD

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  9. Wow you make this book sound fantastic, couldn’t put it down even though you had finals to study for means it really held your interest, great review. Thanks

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  10. Great review!

    I read this book and loved it! Can’t wait for Livie«s story.

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  11. Thank you so much for the review! I’ve heard of this book but have not read it yet, but is sounds so good! I think my library has it, so I’ll have to check it out. :-)

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  12. I’ve only heard about this series this year and I already know that this one is definitely on my TBR. Too bad I don’t have the books, but once I do have the chance I am going to buy them all and read them. I can’t let another year go by without doing that! :D And you’re rating of a four out of five must mean the book was great to you too! ^_^

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  13. I can’t imagine how she goes on after losing everyone like that. This book would make me cry like a baby!

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  14. I’m so glad to know that you enjoyed this book! I did, as well. I love this series. I’ve also checked out the next two – One Tiny Lie and Four Seconds to Lose, and I’ve got to say that Four Seconds to Lose is my favorite so far. I hope you get to read it, would love to hear your thoughts.

    Great review!! I agree with what you think :)

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  15. I agree about the sex scenes. I tend to read YA and NA because the content is less “mature”. Maybe I’m old fashioned or just old but I like love stories and romance books too often stray from the love and more towards the lust. I think all romance novels should come with a “love vs. lust” meter :)

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  16. I LOVED this book so much! I totally didn’t expect that HUGE reveal – but that made the book all the more heartbreaking. I loved One Tiny Lie – I actually found it more beautiful than this one – so I hope you read it soon (If you haven’t already).
    Maddy recently posted…Cruel Beauty by Rosamund HodgeMy Profile

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Effortlessly Reading sometimes receives ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) from publishers or authors in exchange for honest reviews. Please note that no compensation of any kind has been provided in exchange for a review. Any use and/or duplication of my material without any permission is strictly prohibited.